Connoisseur’s Collection
This collection of very rare teas has been curated by our tea master and reflects some of the finest teas in several regions and styles from around the world. These teas have been handcrafted in very small batches and we were able to secure some remarkable and very exclusive teas.
Bai Hao – Oriental Beauty Tea
Experience the legendary Bai Hao Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren), a premium Taiwanese oolong tea renowned for its unique production process and exceptional honey-like sweetness. This heavily oxidized, non-roasted oolong from Hsinchu County represents one of Taiwan’s most celebrated teas, produced organically by the Hsinchu Farmer Association.
Why Choose Our Bai Hao Oriental Beauty:
- Unique Tea Jassid Process: Produced from leaves naturally bitten by tea jassid insects
- Natural Honey Sweetness: Terpenes released from bitten leaves create distinctive honey-like taste
- High Bud Content: Abundant young buds with white hairs for premium quality
- Organic Production: Grown without pesticides in Taiwan’s pristine tea gardens
- Complex Aromatics: Natural fruity and sweet honey-like aromas with intense fragrance
- No Bitterness: Produces beautiful reddish-orange liquor without any harsh notes
Flavor Profile: Natural fruity and sweet honey-like aromas with remarkable complexity and intense fragrance. The unique tea jassid process creates a distinctive sweetness that’s completely natural, producing a gorgeous reddish-orange color without any bitterness.
Brewing Instructions: Use 185-195°F water and steep for 3-5 minutes. This premium oolong rewards multiple infusions, with each steeping revealing new layers of complexity.
Perfect For: Oolong enthusiasts, special occasions, tea connoisseurs seeking unique Taiwanese teas, or anyone wanting to experience one of the world’s most distinctive tea production methods.
Origin: Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Ingredients: 100% Organic Oolong Tea
Gaba Oolong – Taiwan
Savour the authentic GABA Oolong Taiwan, a meticulously crafted gem from Aowanda mountain in Nantou, Taiwan. This premium high-altitude oolong tea undergoes a special oxygen-free fermentation process that creates exceptional flavour complexity and structure, making it a true standout in the world of Taiwanese oolongs.
Why Choose Our GABA Oolong Taiwan:
- High-Altitude Excellence: Grown at 1300 meters on Aowanda mountain for concentrated flavours
- Jin Xuan Cultivar: Premium tea plant variety known for exceptional quality
- Special GABA Process: Unique oxygen-free fermentation enhances flavour and potential health benefits
- Summer Harvest: Carefully timed harvest for optimal leaf development
- Organic Quality: Pure, certified organic tea from Taiwan’s pristine mountains
- Exceptional Structure: Multiple infusions reveal evolving complexity and depth
Flavour Profile: Amazing structure with natural sweetness and distinctive flavours of chestnut and passion fruit. Each infusion reveals new layers of complexity, making this tea perfect for extended brewing sessions.
Brewing Instructions: Best brewed in a Gai Wan using 2 tsp with 100°C water for up to 10 infusions. Each steeping unveils new dimensions of flavour and aroma.
Perfect For: Serious oolong enthusiasts, traditional tea ceremony, multiple infusion brewing, or anyone seeking a premium Taiwanese tea with unique processing methods.
Origin: Nantou, Taiwan – Aowanda Mountain (1300m altitude) Cultivar: Jin Xuan Ingredients: 100% Organic Oolong Tea
Tai Ping Hou Kui
Experience the legendary Tai Ping Hou Kui, one of China’s most prestigious green teas, renowned for its distinctive “two knives and one pole” appearance – two straight leaves embracing one enormous bud with white hairs. This exceptional Yellow Mountain green tea from Anhui Province represents centuries of tea craftsmanship and unparalleled quality.
Gyokuro Tea
Experience Gyokuro tea, revered as “The Queen of Japanese teas” and considered the pinnacle of Japanese green tea craftsmanship. This exceptional shade-grown green tea from Mie, Japan undergoes a unique cultivation process that creates an unparalleled flavor profile and premium tea experience.
Da Hong Pao – Big Red Robe
This is the legendary Da Hong Pao Big Red Robe, one of China’s most famous and revered oolong teas. Also known poetically as ‘Grand Scarlet Robe,’ this extraordinary Wuyi Mountain oolong is surrounded by myth and legend, representing the pinnacle of Chinese tea craftsmanship from the rocky cliffs of northern Fujian.
Jungpana Darjeeling – SFTGFOP 1
Historic Jungpana Estate Heritage
Established in 1899 – a testament to Darjeeling excellence:
- Remote mountain location – accessible only by foot through picturesque mountain trails
- 125+ years of tea craftsmanship maintaining traditional methods
- Consistently produces some of the world’s finest Darjeelings
- Organic certification ensuring pure, chemical-free cultivation
- Exclusive access – one of Darjeeling’s most secluded tea gardens
SFTGFOP Grade Excellence
Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe – the highest tea grade:
- Whole leaf tea with abundant golden tips
- Hand-picked leaves from the finest tea bushes
- First flush harvest – spring’s most delicate and prized picking
- Premium quality indicators – golden tips, perfect leaf structure
- Luxury tea classification – among the world’s finest teas
First Flush “Champagne of Teas”
Spring harvest 2020 capturing the essence of Darjeeling’s peak season:
- Vibrant and sublime flavour profile
- Delicate astringency with exceptional complexity
- Bright amber liquor with remarkable clarity
- Floral and muscatel notes – signature Darjeeling characteristics
- “Spring in a cup” – capturing the season’s fresh awakening
Flavour Profile & Characteristics
This premium first flush Darjeeling offers unparalleled sophistication:
- Delicate muscatel flavors – grape-like notes unique to Darjeeling
- Bright, crisp character with refined astringency
- Floral undertones with subtle complexity
- Clean, lingering finish that evolves with each sip
- Perfect for contemplation – best enjoyed without milk
Organic Quality & Terroir
Certified organic cultivation in pristine Himalayan conditions:
- High-altitude growing in the Darjeeling hills
- Pure mountain air and mineral-rich soil
- Traditional organic methods preserving natural flavors
- Sustainable farming protecting the mountain ecosystem
- Chemical-free processing maintaining tea’s natural character
Perfect For
- Tea connoisseurs seeking the ultimate Darjeeling experience
- Special occasions – truly luxurious tea service
- Meditation and reflection – perfect for quiet moments
- Gift giving – premium tea for discerning recipients
- Collection – vintage 2020 first flush for tea enthusiasts
Brewing Instructions
- Water temperature: 185-195°F (85-90°C) – cooler for delicate first flush
- Steeping time:Â 2-3 minutes for first infusion
- Tea amount:Â 1 tsp per 8oz cup
- Multiple infusions:Â 3-4 steepings recommended
- Best served:Â Plain to appreciate delicate muscatel character
Luxury Tea Experience
Truly a masterpiece of the tea maker’s art:
- Limited availability – first flush teas are seasonal treasures
- Vintage 2020Â – aged to perfection
- Collector’s quality – SFTGFOP grade represents the pinnacle
- Investment tea – premium Darjeelings appreciate over time
Ingredients: 100% Organic black tea from Jungpana Estate, Darjeeling, India
Available in 25g, 50g, and 100g sizes – perfect for discovering this exceptional vintage tea and special occasions.
Shu Pu-erh Coins – Vintage 2022
Menghai, China
These individually pressed coins are not just an incredible visual experience but like most teas, come with a bit of history. Tea was a valuable commodity in the olden days and served as currency on the ancient trading routes. Tea coins like these came with a scar through the middle so they could easily be broken off. Shou or ‘cooked“ Pu-erh teas are wet piled which speeds up the fermentation process and result in a deep, dark liquor. The scent reminds of wood and mushrooms with bold leather and nutmeg. Silky smooth and thick mouthfeel
Long Jing Pre-Qingming Xi HU
Experience the legendary Long Jing tea, revered as “The Queen of Green Tea” and one of China’s most prestigious teas. Our Pre-Qingming Xi Hu Long Jing represents the pinnacle of Chinese green tea craftsmanship, harvested before the Qingming Festival from the authentic five villages surrounding West Lake in Hangzhou.
Yunnan Hong Cha – Golden Bud
Experience tea in its purest form with our Yunnan Hong Cha Golden Bud – sourced directly from Lincang, Yunnan, the birthplace of tea. These individual golden buds are artfully crafted by the Dai minorities and grown at extraordinary high altitude above 2,100 meters, offering the perfect climate for a slow growing season that concentrates exceptional flavours.
Yin Zheng – White Hair Silver Needle
Experience the pinnacle of white tea excellence with Yin Zheng White Hair Silver Needle (Bai Hao), an ultra-premium organic white tea from Fuding, Fujian, China. This top-grade white tea is highly sought after and available only in extremely small quantities, representing the absolute finest in Chinese tea craftsmanship.
Sheng Pu-erh – Vintage 2016
Experience the exceptional development of Sheng Pu-erh Vintage 2016, a gorgeous raw Pu-erh cake from Menghai, China that has been aging gracefully for nearly a decade. This premium vintage tea showcases the remarkable transformation that occurs when high-quality raw Pu-erh is allowed to mature, developing from its original robust character into a more refined and complex tea experience.
What Makes Sheng Pu-erh Vintage 2016 Special:
- Nearly Decade-Aged: 2016 vintage has developed beautiful complexity through natural aging
- Menghai Origin: From China’s most prestigious Pu-erh producing region
- Compressed Cake Format: Traditional 357g cake ensures proper aging and preservation
- Investment Quality: Vintage Pu-erh cakes can appreciate significantly in value over time
- Developing Character: Crisp but gentle profile shows excellent aging progression
Flavor Profile & Tasting Notes: This vintage Sheng Pu-erh delivers a sophisticated taste experience that reflects years of careful aging:
- Liquor: Bright gold cup color with exceptional clarity
- Primary Notes: Lingering barnyard flavors characteristic of well-aged Pu-erh
- Sweet Elements: Hints of sweet hay and date that add natural sweetness
- Texture: Crisp but gentle mouthfeel – remarkable for a young sheng
- Complexity: Layers of flavor that continue to evolve with each infusion
Brewing Instructions for Optimal Results:
- Water Temperature: 200-212°F (95-100°C) – boiling water is ideal for aged Pu-erh
- Steeping Time:
- Rinse: Quick 10-second rinse to awaken the aged leaves
- First infusion: 30-45 seconds
- Subsequent infusions: Increase by 15-30 seconds each time
- Tea Amount: 5-7 grams per 100ml of water (adjust to taste)
- Multiple Infusions: This aged tea can be steeped 10-15 times for extended enjoyment
Health Benefits of Aged Raw Pu-erh:
- Enhanced Digestive Support: Aging process creates beneficial compounds for gut health
- Antioxidant Evolution: Aged tea develops unique antioxidant profiles
- Gentle Energy: Balanced caffeine content provides sustained alertness
- Traditional Wellness: Centuries of use for supporting overall health
- Mental Clarity: Promotes focus and concentration
Perfect For:
- Serious Pu-erh collectors and investors
- Those exploring aged and vintage teas
- Daily meditation and mindful tea practice
- Special occasions and ceremonial drinking
- Gift-giving for discerning tea connoisseurs
Investment & Collectibility: Compressed Pu-erh cakes like this vintage 2016 are highly sought after by collectors and investors. Some decades-old Pu-erh cakes fetch thousands of dollars at auctions, making this an excellent entry point into vintage tea collecting while still being accessible for regular enjoyment.
Aging Process & Development: The compressed cake format ensures slow, even aging that allows the tea to develop complexity while maintaining its essential character. This 2016 vintage represents the perfect balance between youthful vigor and mature sophistication.
Storage & Continued Aging: Store in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. This vintage tea will continue to develop and improve with proper storage, potentially increasing in both quality and value over time.
Traditional Cake Format: The 357g compressed cake is the traditional format for premium Pu-erh storage and aging. Each cake can be carefully broken apart as needed, with the remainder continuing to age and develop character.
Ingredients: Aged Raw Pu-erh Tea (Camellia sinensis)
