China Yunnan Pine Needle – Black Tea

Brew & Taste

The taste of China Yunnan Pine Needle tea is delicate, gentle and light. A sweet drink with a spicy finish, simply great in every way. Its infusion is bright brown and has a floral-fruity aroma.

Origins

There is no need to prove that China's Yunnan province gives the world top-quality tea. However, it is worth mentioning that it has been doing so for more than 1,700 years, and most of its production is traditional green tea. Black, fermented teas have only been produced in the local gardens since 1939. But they have gained a great reputation quickly.

The tea leaves for China Yunnan Pine Needle are harvested by workers exclusively in the spring. They have to pick them carefully, only the closed buds and the first two leaves are suitable. As a result, the tea has beautiful golden tips and unusually long, flat and cylindrical leaves. They are what gave the tea its name, Pine Needle.

The merit can be attributed to many factors. The location of Yunnan is a very important one. It is located on the eastern edge of the Himalayan mountain range. A limestone plateau interspersed with endless rivers that find their way through deep gorges. The climate in the province is mild and pleasant. It is influenced by both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In terms of climatic classification, it is a subtropical highland or humid subtropical zone.

Winters in Yunnan are warm and mild, while summers are hot but tolerable due to high humidity. Most rain falls between June and August, but it could be said that fog is typical of Yunnan at any time of year. They make the tea leaves tender and succulent, while they grow slowly and have a chance to "produce" as much chlorophyll as possible and absorb the scents of the surrounding nature. The province is also known as a natural zoo and botanical garden.

Along with the excellent natural conditions, the high quality of this black tea is of course due to the management of the tea garden. Tuanjie Dazhai is one of those whose managers rely on a combination of traditional practices and the concepts of a modern scientific approach. For example, they plant shrubs at precise distances apart and deal with pest infestations by deploying biological predators. The Tuanjie Dazhai tea garden was established about 30 years ago and its shrubs are now in great shape. In addition to growing without the use of fertilizers or treatment products, they provide a sanctuary for many birds.

Tea packaging preview

We pack our teas in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. This container protects the quality of the tea against humidity, light or foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew.