Tea Time in September 2024 Box
Welcome to September’s delightful selection of tea and pastry pairings. This month, we bring you a curated collection that celebrates traditional flavors and modern taste. Each of the three teas and four pastries has been thoughtfully selected to enhance your tea experience.
Origins Tea - Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea, also known as Lu Shan Cloud and Mist Tea, hails from China’s Lushan Mountain. Known for its delicately smooth flavor with subtle vegetal notes and a hint of nuttiness, this green tea is perfectly paired with two delightful pastries. The rich, buttery flavor of Cashew Cookies and the sweet, slightly buttery flavor of Peanut Biscuits complement the tea’s delicate profile.
Fruity or Floral Tea - Ginger Orange Pu-erh combines the deep, earthy flavors of Pu-erh tea with the vibrant notes of ginger and orange. This robust blend is enhanced by two pastries: Choco Nut Cookies, featuring a rich, chocolatey exterior with a creamy filling, and Cream Cookies, offering a soft, sponge-like texture filled with a smooth cream.
Explorer Tea - Mate Chai is a unique blend that marries South American yerba mate with Indian chai spices. This tea offers a complex mix of grassy, smoky notes from yerba mate with sweet, spicy flavors from chai spices. While this tea does not come with a pastry pairing, it is designed to expand your palate and introduce you to new and exciting flavors.
Follow our My Tea Time blog series to explore your monthly tea experiences. Without further delay, let's start our September tea experience!
Origins
Get to know your Origins Tea!
Embark on a journey to the mist-shrouded peaks of Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi Province, China, with our Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea. Also known as Lu Shan "Cloud and Mist" Tea, this exceptional green tea originates from Ma Ao Town in Xiushui County, a region celebrated for its unique microclimate where clouds and mist envelop the tea gardens, creating ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality tea. Savor a cup that embodies centuries of tradition and the unparalleled essence of its origin.
Tea Name: Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea – China
Teamaker: Mr. Liu and Traditional Tea Artisans of Jiangxi Province
Origin: Ma Ao Town, Xiushui County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China
Elevation: 2,100m in the misty and cloud-covered highlands of Lushan Mountain
Cultivation: Carefully handpicked from Qunti tea bushes (one bud with one or two leaves) and meticulously processed to retain its natural characteristics
Harvest Date: April 12, 2024
Brewing Instructions: To fully appreciate the delicate flavors of this tea, use 1 teaspoon (approximately 2.5 grams) of tea leaves per 8 oz (about 240 ml) of water. Steep for 1–2 minutes at a temperature of 175°F (80°C). This tea can be re-steeped multiple times, with subsequent infusions requiring shorter steeping times. For a more traditional experience, try brewing it "grandpa style," placing the leaves directly into your cup and adding hot water as needed.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea offers a smooth and refreshing taste, sweet and mellow with a unique sweet fragrance. Each sip reveals delicate vegetal and nutty notes, leaving a refreshing and long-lasting sweet aftertaste that mirrors the misty environment of its origin. The tea presents a bright yellowish-green liquor, inviting you to indulge in its exceptional qualities.
Appearance: Slightly curled leaves of even shape, dark green color with fine white hairs.
Smell: Fresh, vegetal aroma with stir-fried bean notes, floral hints, and a pleasant sweet fragrance.
Taste: Smooth and refreshing, sweet and mellow with a unique sweet fragrance and long-lasting sweet aftertaste; delicate vegetal and nutty notes.
About the Farm and Farmers!
Nestled in the mist-covered landscapes of Lushan, the Dongjin Tea Garden stands as a beacon of tradition and sustainability. Our dedicated tea farmers, including Mr. Liu and his family, work tirelessly to embrace practices that honor nature and ensure the highest quality of tea. Each leaf is a testament to their expertise and commitment to preserving the essence of Chinese tea-making.
Background on the Farmers:
Mr. Liu was born in Xiushui County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, into a family with generations of tea-making heritage. His father has been producing tea for over 30 years. From a young age, Mr. Liu developed a deep passion for tea. After college, he returned to his hometown to pursue a career in tea production, dedicating himself to the craft for the past seven years. His profound understanding of the land and meticulous care during harvest and processing ensure that every leaf embodies the rich tradition and superior quality associated with Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea. His dedication not only produces exceptional tea but also supports sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.
Pastry Pairings
Pairing our Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea with the Cashew Cookies offers a delightful experience. The rich, buttery flavor of the cookies, combined with the crunch of cashew nuts, complements the tea's smooth, vegetal notes. Together, they create a harmonious balance, perfect for a relaxing tea time.
Cashew Cookies - India
Cashew Cookies from India are known for their rich, buttery flavor and pleasant crunch from the cashew nuts. These cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed on their own or paired with tea. The slightly crumbly texture enhances the overall tasting experience, making it a delightful pairing with our Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea.
Peanut Biscuits - South Korea
Peanut Biscuits from South Korea offer a sweet and slightly buttery flavor with a delicate, crisp texture. These biscuits are a popular choice for snacking and are often enjoyed with tea or coffee. The light and crunchy texture of the biscuits pairs beautifully with the smooth, delicate flavor of our Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea, creating a balanced and enjoyable tasting experience.
Palate Cleanser (for taste testing): Saltine crackers are provided in our tea box to clean the taste of your mouth, including spicy, bitter, or sweet.
(Read more about Tea J Tea’s recommended way of tasting: Sip-Bite-Sip)
Fruity or Floral
Experience the distinctive blend of Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea, a tea that combines the earthy richness of Pu-erh with the vibrant, spicy notes of ginger and orange. This blend offers a complex and refreshing flavor profile that is perfect for tea enthusiasts seeking something unique.
Tea Name: Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea
Processing: Blend of fermented Pu-erh tea with ginger and orange.
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: Moderate
Brewing Instructions: For an optimal cup of Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea, use one teaspoon of tea leaves for every 8 ounces (approximately 240 ml) of water. Heat your water to 200°F (93°C) and steep the tea for 3-5 minutes. Adjust the steeping time according to your taste preference. This tea can be enjoyed straight or with a touch of honey or lemon.
Tea Aroma and Taste
This tea offers a distinctive aroma that blends the earthy scent of Pu-erh with the zesty and spicy notes of ginger and orange. The flavor profile is equally complex, featuring a mix of rich, earthy undertones balanced with the refreshing zest of citrus and the warmth of ginger.
Appearance: Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea displays a deep, rich color with amber highlights, indicative of its fermented base and citrus infusion.
Smell: A complex aroma combining the earthy scent of Pu-erh with zesty and spicy notes of orange and ginger.
Tasting Notes: A robust blend of earthy, zesty, and spicy flavors with a lingering freshness.
Pastry Pairings
Pair the Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea with either a Choco Nut Cookie from India or a Cream Cookie from South Korea for a delightful culinary experience. The vibrant, spicy notes of the tea complement the rich, creamy textures of both pastries, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Enjoy the contrast between the tea's robust flavor and the pastries' sweet richness for a truly indulgent treat.
Choco Nut Cookies (India)
Choco Nut Cookies offer a rich, chocolatey exterior with a creamy filling that includes nuts like almonds or hazelnuts. These cookies provide a delicious contrast to the complex flavors of Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea, enhancing the tea's earthy and spicy notes with their own nutty richness.
Cream Cookies (South Korea)
Cream Cookies feature a soft, sponge-like texture filled with a creamy filling, often with a hint of vanilla or chocolate. These cookies pair beautifully with Ginger Orange Pu-erh Tea, their creamy sweetness balancing the tea's robust, spicy, and zesty flavors.
Explorer
Try Something New
Experience the delightful blend found only in Explorer's Mate Chai. This unique mix combines the earthy flavors of yerba mate with the warming spices of Indian chai. Crafted with yerba mate leaves, black tea, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, this invigorating beverage is perfect for expanding your tea palate.
Tea Name: Mate Chai
Processing: This tea is a blend of yerba mate leaves, black tea, and chai spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to create a harmonious and invigorating brew.
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: Moderate
Brewing Instructions: For the ideal cup of Mate Chai, use one tablespoon of tea for every 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. Heat the water to 200°F (93°C). To fully unlock its flavor profile, steep the blend for 3-5 minutes. You can enjoy it hot, with a splash of milk and a bit of honey to enhance its natural sweetness.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Take a journey through the senses with our Mate Chai. This blend marries the grassy, slightly smoky notes of yerba mate with the sweet, spicy flavors of chai spices. Its natural ingredients create an infusion that is both invigorating and soothing.
Appearance: The tea presents a visually appealing mix of yerba mate leaves and chai spices. Its earthy colors evoke a sense of warmth and comfort.
Smell: The smell is rich and fragrant, with a blend of earthy yerba mate and aromatic chai spices.
Tasting Notes: This tea's flavor notes are a well-balanced combination of earthy and spicy. The yerba mate provides a grassy, slightly smoky base, while the chai spices add a sweet and warming finish.
Are you interested in previous Subscription Boxes? Check out Last Month’s box (August 2024 Tea Time in A Box).