Chrysanthemum and pu’er are one of the most classic pairings at teahouses, and dim sum shops across China. Chrysanthemum is a perfectly bright, crisp and sweet balance to the earthy notes of pu’er. We thought it would be fun to take this classic and make it into a subtle, comforting and complex cold weather companion. This is the result of our blending experiments.
We start with a new favorite: the perfectly light, smooth and sweet Master Han’s 2004 Shu Loose Leaf Shu Pu’er, and bring out its natural clean sparkle with chrysanthemum. Then we work to bind the chrysanthemum more solidly with juniper berries playing off the warming / cooling sensation of the pu’er. Coriander, burdock and holy basil strengthen the natural depth of the tea without overwhelming the blend.
Taken as a whole, this makes for great brewing in a gaiwan or in a big comforting mug. The sweet spice of coriander and burdock hit the tip of the tongue, then, the floral notes of chrysanthemum and holy basil linger in the back of the throat, making this a good soothing choice when you are under the weather.
We hope that you enjoy the first winner of our direct sourcing vote as much as we have. Thanks for giving us your feedback to make this tea a reality.
Ingredients: Master Han’s 2004 Loose Leaf Shu Pu’er, Burdock, Juniper Berries, Coriander, Holy Basil, Chrysanthemum