Currently all the rage in China, it’s difficult to find a shop that doesn’t carry puer stuffed Xinhui oranges, particularly the young green ones. The skin of these oranges alone is quite costly, not to mention the labour required empty, stuff and prepare each of these little guys.
While the oranges contribute significantly to this tea’s flavour, many others skimp out when it comes to the quality of shou puer used, but remember – it’s what’s on the inside that counts. This is why our Tiny Orange Tea (TOT) is made using higher than usual quality 2007 gong ting shou puer. This tea spent 10 years resting before being stuffed, with the result is a unique tart-sweet-smooth tea that can’t be achieved any other way.
While the full-grown oranges provide a sweeter, medicinal taste, the young green skins lend more tartness and even bitterness when brewed at higher strength. For this reason, we recommend experimenting with brewing methods and parameters. There are no hard and fast rules to brewing these, so try what feels right to you, and adjust to your taste.