Hunan Black Tea

Place: Hunan Province, China

Profile: Beautiful twisted curled leaves, aromatic and memorable notes of sweet bread, raisins, wild honey, and dark chocolate. If you are a fan of our Formosa Sunrise Oolong from Taiwan, you would enjoy this Hunan black tea.

Year Crop: May 2025

Cultivar/ Varietal:  Zhu Ye Qi

Maker: Ms. Peng

Story

Traditionally, Zhu Ye Qi is crafted as a dark tea or green tea in Hunan Province. However, in this rare and inspired interpretation, Ms. Peng reimagines it as a black tea, while preserving the delicate, refined characteristics in shape often associated with Bi Luo Chun, a celebrated green tea known for its elegance and complexity.

The result is a beautifully balanced tea that bridges tradition and innovation, offering both familiarity and surprise in every cup. When I first encountered this tea, I was struck by its creativity and depth. It is truly a special experience to savor.

This tea was featured in one of our Lunar New Year Tea Boxes this year, where it quickly became a favorite. Now, you have the opportunity to enjoy it again or discover it for the first time, and have enough to appreciate across many thoughtful sessions.

Net Wt: 4oz (114g) or 2oz (57g)

Ingredients: Black Tea

Brewing Instructions:

3 g | 8 oz water | 200°F-212°F | Steep 3-4 min.

Gongfu Style Brewing:

6 grams | 6 oz water | 200°F-212°F | Rinse 5 sec. | Steep 30 sec.