November 2025
Wuyi Hong Cha
After exploring Yunnan and Sichuan black teas earlier this year, we now turn to Wuyishan, the birthplace of black tea and home to Tongmu Village, where Lapsang Souchong originated more than four centuries ago. Wuyishan’s rocky terrain and mineral-rich soils continue to produce some of China’s most expressive red teas, and this month’s collection highlights both tradition and innovation. We begin with the 2025 Meizhan Jin Jun Mei, made entirely from buds of the Meizhan cultivar rather than the traditional Cai Cha—an approach that lends a distinctive aromatic depth to this refined style. The 2025 Fei Zi Xiao Black Tea, named after Du Mu’s famous poem describing Yang Guifei smiling upon receiving fresh lychees, is cherished for its lychee-red liquor, fragrant sweetness, and elegant fruit notes. For a taste of classical craftsmanship, we include a 2022 Traditional Lapsang Souchong from Tongmu Village, smoked using time-honored methods reminiscent of our 2022 Guadun selection. Completing the set is a 2024 Wild-Grown Black Tea, harvested from ecological tea trees on remote mountain slopes and produced in limited annual quantities—textured, earthy, and naturally expressive. Together, these teas offer a layered introduction to Wuyi Hong Cha, spanning cultivar variation, traditional smoking techniques, and the raw appeal of wild-grown leaves.
