This Green Needles micro-lot was produced in early spring from Qun Ti Zhong, an indigenous (or localized) heirloom variety of tea bushes. Since the mid-1700s, Qun Ti Zhong has been a revered source of green and black teas in the region of Hubei. The rocky gardens and rich soils of Xuan’en yield green teas that are rich-tasting and balanced, with high density, bold energy, and a subtle umami flavor complemented by mountain minerality notes that refresh and invigorate. Green Needles, or Lu Zhen, is a traditional pine needle-shaped green tea. After indoor withering, the leaves are fired in a small tumble roaster and then straightened into a needle shape using a heating and shaking technique. They are then dried with flowing hot air and baked to perfection to lock in the fresh aroma and taste. Every spring, we savor the richness and complexity of this heirloom garden’s first spring-harvested green tea with joy. Although not a well-known Chinese green tea, Green Needles is one of our favorites for the way it showcases its remote terroir and small-leaf green tea traditions.
