Yunnan Noir

310

reviews

89

rating

Black tea from the Yunnan province of China, the birthplace of tea itself. Much of the tea in this southern province is a large leaf variety. Mountains veiled in mist, with clean water and rich soil form ideal growing conditions and contribute to the unique flavor. Our Yunnan Noir is a hand-rolled tea, with leaves tightly curled into a 'black snail' shape. The aroma is sweet with hints of honey and spice. Savory and winey on the palate, with smooth, deep fruity astringency, tremendous depth of flavor, cinnamon bark and nutmeg in the finish. Terrifically textured cup of tea.

Yunnan is the name of the Southern Chinese province bordering Vietnam. It's believed to be the birthplace of tea, and home of the oldest wild growing tea tree (never pruned to be bush height). This tree is estimated to be 1,700 years old! Yunnan's most senior cultivated tree, by contrast, is a relative youngster - a mere 800 years old. These are the large leafed tea varieties - Camellia sinensis assamica - which is also found in India. Yunnan also has the distinction of producing more black tea than any other part of China, although it's a relative newcomer to this variety. Black tea was first produced here in 1939, and is distinguished by its unique peppery, earthy and sometimes cocoa-like flavor.