First Flush "Competition Grade" Laoshan Green Tea

This is the very early flush of spring tea picked in the first 3 days in the early spring (Mid-March)! Very fine tea with a special taste that can only come from tea picked during such a cold time in Shandong! Incredibly textured and aromatic green tea! If you loved our Laoshan Classic or Imperial Green Teas, then you are sure to love this too! Laoshan village is near Qingdao in the province of Shandong at an altitude of just 300 meters. Laoshan village is also near a sacred mountain, and not far from the ocean. Tea has been grown in the Laoshan area for many generations. We are offering this "Imperial Grade" Laoshan Green tea made from the tippiest first flush of spring tea leaves. Our Laoshan teas are grown by the Liang family, who have a small family operation growing Laoshan tea and doing all the processing of the tea themselves as well. You will notice that the tea is grown under the cover of a greenhouse which is fully covered in the winter to protect from frost and also in the earliest part of spring as well just as the leaves are starting to sprout. In the middle and later part of the first flush growth stage the coverings are removed and the tea bushes grow in full view of the sun until plucking. Our Imperial Grade Laoshan green tea is small leaf, tippy (but without silver hairs) and tightly rolled, but not compressed like a Tie Guan Yin. The varietal grown is Long Jing #43 and as such the tea from Laoshan shares its character. The brewed tea is vegetal, sweet, savory with an umami-like green chestnut (bipolarity of astringency/savory and sweet). We feel confident you will enjoy family-sourced Laoshan teas and invite you to try them all! Area: Laoshan village near Qingdao in Shandong Time of harvest: Mid-March Click here to see pictures of the Liang family tea plantation and learn more about them!