Tea Time in September 2023 Box

This September, prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey of the senses with our curated tea and pastry box. From the rare and enchanting Oriental Beauty sourced from the hills of Vietnam to the fruity essence of Peach Apricot Black Tea mixed in the USA, each tea promises to whisk you away to distant lands. Paired with these teas are artisanal pastries that redefine the word indulgence: the Yabumoto Krystal Kandz in Peach Flavor, an American masterpiece that complements the floral notes of white teas, and the exotic Black Sesame Cake and Chocolate Sticks from China, which elevate the intricate flavors of our select oolongs. Additionally, for those who crave the rich, earthy tones of Pu-erh, we've included  Sticky Rice Pu'erh cakes as our explorer tea for this month. Together, these pairings offer a harmonious fusion of flavors that is as sophisticated as satisfying. Welcome to September's box—your passport to a world of exquisite teas and pastries. 

Follow our My Tea Time blog series for an immersive exploration of your monthly tea experiences. Without further ado, let's start our September tea experience! 

Origins

Step into a world of exquisite craftsmanship and rich flavors with our Origins Tea collection. Each cup promises an odyssey through the terroirs, cultures, and people dedicated to mastering the art of tea. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious beginner, understanding the origins of your tea adds another layer of appreciation to every sip. From the name and teamaker to the elevation and exact harvest date, get to know your tea like never before.

Tea Name: Oriental Beauty 

Teamaker: Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung

Origin: Organic tea garden in Hoa Binh province

Elevation: 1,100-1,200 meters above sea level

Cultivation: Organic, Handpicked, heavily oxidized around 70%, limited to 2-3 kg batches

Harvest Date: Summer 2022

Brewing Instructions: To truly appreciate the rich nuances of Oriental Beauty, start by heating your teaware with hot water. Place 4-6 grams of tea into a teapot. Boil water and allow it to cool down to 92-94°C (197.6-201.2°F). Pour the water over the tea leaves and steep for 20 seconds, 30 seconds if you prefer a more intense flavor. Transfer the tea to a pitcher and then into individual cups. For optimal enjoyment, sip slowly and savor the layers of honey, caramel, and dark fruit notes that unfold with each taste. 

Tea Aroma and Taste

The aroma and taste of Oriental Beauty tea are as enchanting as its name suggests. Steeping the leaves unveils an intoxicating bouquet of honey, caramel, and subtle floral undertones. The first sip envelops the palate in a symphony of flavors — from the initial sweetness of honey to complex notes of stone fruits, sweet potato, and vanilla. Unique to its kind, each sip finishes with a harmonious blend of warmth and sweetness, making this tea an exquisite sensory experience.

Appearance: The dried leaves of this Oriental Beauty tea are a beautiful mixture of dark and light browns with golden tips, resembling a sun-kissed autumn afternoon. When brewed, the liquid takes on an amber hue.

Smell: As the hot water unfurls the tightly curled leaves, the air is filled with an intoxicating aroma of honey, fresh fruit, and a subtle undercurrent of floral notes.

Taste: The first sip delights the palate with a symphony of flavors—fruity notes followed by the unmistakable sweetness of honey and a velvety finish. (Add Mineral taste)

About the farm and Farmers!

Nestled within the vibrant urban landscape of Hanoi, Hien Minh Tea House serves as a tranquil oasis that honors and preserves Vietnam's deep-rooted tea traditions. Established in 2016, the tea house is a living tribute to the country's storied tea culture, safeguarding the legacy of its venerable tea trees while integrating modern sensibilities.

Background on the Farmers: Steered by the enterprising couple, Mr. Hung Viet Nguyen, and his spouse, Yen, Hien Minh Tea has earned its place as a luminary in the Hanoi tea scene. Mr. Hung, a distinguished tea connoisseur, claimed a prestigious title at the 2016 Tea Master Cup and collaborates closely with Yen to refine and elevate the art of Vietnamese tea-making. Their devotion transcends mere commercial interests, weaving a complex fabric of spirituality, heritage, and community values. Guided by Buddhist philosophies and a commitment to simple living, the couple embodies a lifestyle of serenity and fulfillment. Hien Minh stands as a showcase of fine Vietnamese teas and a testament to the couple's mission of sharing the soul of Vietnamese tea culture with the global community.

Pastry Pairings

The pairing of Oriental Beauty tea with Black Sesame Cake and Chocolate Sticks from China and Taiwan creates an exceptional culinary experience. The tea's floral and fruity notes perfectly complement the cake's nutty depth and the sticks' multi-grain complexity. This combination enhances each item's distinct flavors and textures, from the cake's rich moisture to the stick's airy crispness, elevating a simple tea time into a sensory feast of harmonious tastes and sensations.

Black Sesame Cake (China)

Pairing this cake with Oriental Beauty tea creates a sublime experience that elevates the food and drink. Oriental Beauty, a renowned oolong tea, has its own flavor journey—floral, with hints of honey and ripe fruit. This tea complements the nutty depth of the black sesame by adding a sweet, fragrant counterpoint. The floral notes in the tea interact beautifully with the earthiness of the sesame, creating a harmonious, unexpected, and delightful balance. The cake's moist texture works with the tea's smoothness, making each sip and bite an interplay of complementary sensations. It's a pairing that captures the essence of culinary artistry—each component amplifies the other, creating a sum that is greater than its parts.

Chocolate Sticks (Taiwan)

The multifaceted flavors of the Chocolate Sticks make them a perfect companion for Oriental Beauty tea. Known for its complex character—floral notes, honey-like sweetness, and a subtle touch of citrus—Oriental Beauty tea has a layered taste that complements the cocoa richness of the Chocolate Sticks. The deep chocolate notes align beautifully with the tea's natural sweetness, while the underlying hints of cocoa echo the tea's multi-dimensional flavor profile. The airy, crispy texture of the Chocolate Sticks also adds a contrasting mouthfeel to the smooth, velvety texture of the tea, making each sip and bite a complete sensory experience. This pairing combines two intricate flavor profiles, creating a harmonious balance that enriches both the snack and the tea, elevating your snacking moment into a mini culinary adventure.

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

Embrace the allure of Fruity and Floral teas, where each sip transports you to a lush garden brimming with natural sweetness and aromatic blossoms. Whether it's a sun-ripened peach mingling with exotic florals or a harmonious blend of fragrant jasmine and zesty citrus, these teas offer a sensory journey that enchants both the palate and the spirit. Ideal for any occasion, Fruity and Floral teas are your ticket to a flavorful oasis.

Tea Name: Peach Apricot  

Processing: Black tea mixture 

Year: 2023

Caffeine Content: Medium

Brewing Instructions: Brewing Peach Apricot Black Tea ideally involves steeping one teaspoon of the tea leaves in 6 ounces of boiling water at (190 - 200 F). Let hot tea steep for 3-5 minutes; for cold brew, allow it to sit in the fridge for 2 hours. Both methods yield a harmonious blend of bold black tea, mellow peaches, and full-flavored apricots. 

Tea Aroma and Taste

The aroma of Peach Apricot Black Tea is enchanting, offering a heady bouquet of succulent peaches mingled with the deep, luscious scent of apricots. Upon tasting, the bold character of the black tea serves as a robust backdrop, allowing the bright, fruity notes of peach and apricot to dance on the palate. This intricate blend results in a harmonious and comforting flavor profile. 

Appearance: Pale yellow liquor, Dark leaves with flecks of natural Peach and Apricot pieces.

Smell: Fruity, hinting at sweet peaches and luscious apricots.

Tasting Notes: Smooth, bold black tea undernotes harmonize effortlessly with sweet, succulent layers of fresh peaches and apricots.

Pastry Pairings

Peaches Flavor-Yabumoto Krystal Kandz (USA)

The Yabumoto Krystal Kandz in Peach Flavor, also hailing from Washington State, is a celebration of artisanal candy-making at its finest. Encrusted in sparkling sugar crystals, each piece beckons with the promise of luscious peach flavors within. The first bite reveals a crisp sugar shell that yields a soft, gel-like core, bursting with the taste of ripe, juicy peaches. When paired with a delicately floral white tea, the experience transcends mere snacking. The subtle floral notes of the tea elevate the candy's peachy sweetness, creating a harmonious interplay between the two. Additionally, the light astringency of the white tea provides a perfect counterbalance to the candy's sweetness, making every sip and bite a nuanced blend of flavors and textures. This exquisite pairing turns a simple indulgence into a sensory journey, celebrating the artistry of both the candy and the tea.

Peaches N Creme Flavor-Yabumoto Krystal Kandz (USA)

The Peaches N Creme Flavor-Yabumoto Krystal Kandz, with its crystalline sugar shell and creamy, peach-infused core, finds its perfect match in Peach Apricot Black Tea. The bold, fruit-forward notes of the tea synergize wonderfully with the dual flavors of the candy, where the peach undertones in both the tea and candy amplify each other, and the hint of apricot in the tea adds a delightful complexity. The natural tannins in the black tea also provide a slight astringency, offering a counterbalance to the candy's luscious sweetness. This exquisite pairing elevates the individual strengths of Krystal Kandz and the tea, creating an intricate and harmonious unified sensory experience.

Explorer

Something New

Embark on an aromatic journey with Explorer Tea, your passport to rare and exquisite flavors from around the globe. From ancient tea trees in China's Yunnan Province to the tea blends of the USA, we source only the finest teas.  Enjoy the art of tea-making while discovering unique flavors, traditions, and brewing techniques. Explorer Tea has the perfect cup to excite your palate, whether you're a casual sipper or a seasoned connoisseur.

Tea Name: Sticky Rice Pu'erh Cake

Processing: This ripe Pu-erh was aged as loose-leaf tea after wet piling. The rice-scented herb was added, creating a balanced, complex blend.

Year: 2023

Caffeine Content: Low

Brewing Instructions: 

To savor the intricate flavors of Sticky Rice Pu'erh Mini-Cake, use one tuo cha for up to 24 ounces of water. Heat the water to 200℉ or bring it to a boil. Steep the tea for 5 minutes for the first steep. For each additional steep, add 1 more minute to the brewing time. This mini brick is perfect for multiple re-steepings throughout the day.

Tea Aroma and Taste

The aroma and taste of Pu'erh tea are captivatingly complex, offering a rich tapestry of earthy, woody, and sometimes even smoky nuances. The aging process deepens these characteristics, bringing a mellowness that is both satisfying and invigorating. When infused with additional flavors like sticky rice, the tea's aroma fills the room, creating a sensory experience that's as comforting as it is exotic. This makes Pu'erh not just a beverage but a journey for the senses.

Appearance: The mini cake is tightly packed and features a mix of dark, earthy leaves and golden tips.

Smell: Earthy and woodsy are some common aromatic notes. The Sticky Rice Pu'erh Mini-Cake is infused explicitly with a rice-scented herb that adds depth and a 'sweeter' scent, filling the room with the comforting aroma of sweet sticky rice. Hong Yin Ripened Pu'erh Tea Mini Cake has an aroma reminiscent of 'Chen Xiang' alongside the sticky rice aroma.

Tasting Notes: Derived from ancient tea trees in the high-altitude areas of Yunnan, this pu-erh tea provides a sweet, smooth, and bold earthy flavor perfect for daily consumption or adding to your collection.

Are you interested in previous Subscription Boxes from previous months? Check out Last Month’s box (August Tea Time in A Box).