When we got in our spring harvest last year, it quickly became legendary. I was so happy to see it enjoyed by so many people, but also nervous about whether the next harvest could live up to its reputation. After sharing all the kind words said here on Steepster with the farmers through our friend and Tieguanyin devotee Weiwei, our friends in Anxi decided to send us an even more exquisite autumn harvest.
Now, spring has returned. I expected to have to wait another three weeks or so to get any of the spring Tieguanyin, but Weiwei, whose father has devoted his retirement to finding the best Tieguanyin in the world, was able to secure this early harvest. Usually Weiwei will describe a fine Tieguanyin as ‘passable’ and a mind-blowing one as ‘pretty good.’ I have been waiting to try this Tieguanyin which she called ‘amazing.’ I thought that she would just send a sample for me to approve, but she just made the call and sent a full batch of this tea. We got a large portion of the farmer’s harvest. Since they are a family operation and hand-pick everything, only 15 pounds were available when we shipped. I already asked Weiwei to have them reserve whatever is left.
I tried to describe the tea when I made a product page this morning, but it is so hard not to resort to ridiculous metaphors. This tea is the essence of spring. It is like all the young flowers, the delicate buds, the vibrantly green grass have all been crystallized into this drinking experience. It is supremely humbling. Thank you Weiwei, for the confidence to bring us this tea so soon after it was picked.
I really look forward to sending this out to all my friends here on Steepster and hope that everyone has an equally incredible experience with it. Happy Spring!
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Why did I have to be at home ill when this, of all things, arrived? I so want to be at the office enjoying this tea with you right now. I know that when I’m better tasting this tea will be like imbibing the sweetest spring nectar, especially considering that I haven’t had a cup of tea since last Thursday. Yes, I want this to be the first tea I taste when my health is restored… I just. can’t. wait…
Isn’t this a bit early for an wulong tea?
ooo exciting
Not necessarily too early. It is true that traditional picking dates tend to be April and into May, but Anxi is far enough south for earlier leaf development. I certainly wasn’t expecting this to arrive so early, but samples are out on the market, at least for people like Weiwei who make friends with the growers. The fact that she was able to get several pounds so early does astound me. This harvest just coincided with a shipment I arranged, and my shipping time is 2-3 days maximum.
When you taste this one, you know that it is spring. Autumn is so much more buttery, and this has all the aromatics, sweet and tender aftertaste, and texture of spring. In the next two weeks, more of our spring Tieguanyin will be arriving to supplement this little sample batch.
In addition to Tieguanyin, some Dancongs are already being picked, as is Taiwanese oolong. Kind of hard to imagine here in Minnesota where the buds haven’t even opened yet, and I have to wear a sweater, but in sub-tropical China, growth is in abundance. Laoshan village, where I source my green teas, is not harvesting new green tea until this week and next week, so I have to wait a few more weeks to get it in.
Ahhh! Just placed my order, was very tempted to get a larger quantity of this knowing it’s going to be amazing, but there are so many other teas I need to try! Ordered more of the Autumn Harvest, the new Dancong (still have some left of the other and the Big Red Robe from my oolong sampler), more Laoshan Black and the Budset Sampler, as I’ve been meaning to try three of those teas. So very excited!
I really want to get this one, but I am trying to wait patiently for the other spring teas to arrive so I can buy everything at once instead of a bunch of little orders!
That’s an excellent assortment you will have coming your way! I hope that you have as much fun tasting ‘spring time’ in this Tieguanyin as I have. Thanks so much for your support!
Invader Zim- No worries! Spring pickings of the Laoshan and Jingshan are underway. The early spring samples I tried over the weekend are extremely promising. The texture and aftertaste of spring tea is truly something else. I am working on the shipment this week.
Package just arrived! Two free samples, bless you! I was very much hoping for the Jin Jun Mei. May I ask what harvest the Big Red Robe is since it says new on it? Thank you so much, I am looking forward to many tastings!
I couldn’t wait and just ordered an ounce and I haven’t even made it past the dragonwell you sent. Same day Verdant madness!
Why did I have to be at home ill when this, of all things, arrived? I so want to be at the office enjoying this tea with you right now. I know that when I’m better tasting this tea will be like imbibing the sweetest spring nectar, especially considering that I haven’t had a cup of tea since last Thursday. Yes, I want this to be the first tea I taste when my health is restored… I just. can’t. wait…
Isn’t this a bit early for an wulong tea?
ooo exciting
Not necessarily too early. It is true that traditional picking dates tend to be April and into May, but Anxi is far enough south for earlier leaf development. I certainly wasn’t expecting this to arrive so early, but samples are out on the market, at least for people like Weiwei who make friends with the growers. The fact that she was able to get several pounds so early does astound me. This harvest just coincided with a shipment I arranged, and my shipping time is 2-3 days maximum.
When you taste this one, you know that it is spring. Autumn is so much more buttery, and this has all the aromatics, sweet and tender aftertaste, and texture of spring. In the next two weeks, more of our spring Tieguanyin will be arriving to supplement this little sample batch.
In addition to Tieguanyin, some Dancongs are already being picked, as is Taiwanese oolong. Kind of hard to imagine here in Minnesota where the buds haven’t even opened yet, and I have to wear a sweater, but in sub-tropical China, growth is in abundance. Laoshan village, where I source my green teas, is not harvesting new green tea until this week and next week, so I have to wait a few more weeks to get it in.
Ahhh! Just placed my order, was very tempted to get a larger quantity of this knowing it’s going to be amazing, but there are so many other teas I need to try! Ordered more of the Autumn Harvest, the new Dancong (still have some left of the other and the Big Red Robe from my oolong sampler), more Laoshan Black and the Budset Sampler, as I’ve been meaning to try three of those teas. So very excited!
I really want to get this one, but I am trying to wait patiently for the other spring teas to arrive so I can buy everything at once instead of a bunch of little orders!
That’s an excellent assortment you will have coming your way! I hope that you have as much fun tasting ‘spring time’ in this Tieguanyin as I have. Thanks so much for your support!
Invader Zim- No worries! Spring pickings of the Laoshan and Jingshan are underway. The early spring samples I tried over the weekend are extremely promising. The texture and aftertaste of spring tea is truly something else. I am working on the shipment this week.
Package just arrived! Two free samples, bless you! I was very much hoping for the Jin Jun Mei. May I ask what harvest the Big Red Robe is since it says new on it? Thank you so much, I am looking forward to many tastings!
I couldn’t wait and just ordered an ounce and I haven’t even made it past the dragonwell you sent. Same day Verdant madness!