October 2024
Shaanxi Tea
We invite you to explore the rare and exceptional teas of Shaanxi Province, a region steeped in both history and tea culture. Situated in central China, it is home to ancient tea-growing areas like Ankang and Hanzhong, located just north of Sichuan and Chongqing. The province’s high altitude and mineral-rich soils create ideal conditions for tea cultivation, while the cooler northern climate produces slow-growing tea plants that develop deep, complex flavors. Remarkably, the world’s oldest tea leaves, over 2,100 years old, were discovered in the tomb of a Han Dynasty emperor in Shaanxi, attesting to the region’s long-standing connection to tea. From the selenium-rich soils of Ziyang County, Ankang, we present Zi Yang Mao Jian, a green tea with a fresh, mellow taste and potential health benefits due to the natural selenium content. We also feature Zi Yang Hong Cha, a robust black tea harvested from old heirloom trees, grown using eco-friendly methods, and traditionally processed. From Hanzhong, Han Zhong Xian Hao provides a vibrant contrast with its elegant shape and delicate taste, reflecting the purity of this region’s environment. Finally, Jing Yang Fu Zhuan, a dark tea from Jingyang County, is renowned for its naturally occurring “golden flowers” (Eurotium cristatum), a beneficial fungus that grows almost exclusively in the area's unique climate and water during fermentation.
