All tea starts off as green.
Green tea stays green because its leaves are shielded from oxidation during its crafting, with the result that the chemical composition of the dry leaves is very close to that of newly picked leaves which have been simply left to wilt naturally.
Chinese green teas are wok-fired, whilst Japanese green teas are steamed in a process called ‘fixing’. This is simply the application of heat to kill the naturally occuring enzymes in the leaf that would otherwise enable oxidation.
The liquor of green tea is clean, subtle, fresh and vibrant, and there is no better way to refresh and rejuvenate yourself during the day than to enjoy a cup of naturally sweet, antioxidant-rich green tea.
OUR JAPANESE GREEN TEAS
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Sencha Miya
£8.00 – £15.50
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Sakura Sencha
£8.00 – £15.50
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Houjicha
£8.00 – £15.50Sold out
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Genmaicha
£8.00
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Matcha
£8.00 – £15.50
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Gyokuro
£8.50 – £16.50OUR CHINESE GREEN TEA
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Mao Feng
£8.00 – £15.50
White teas are made from withering picked tea leaves under the sun and then dried in oven. As the leaves are so simply processed, white tea is considered the most natural forms of tea. The minimal processing meant the white teas tend to have a more humble but pure flavour profile.
White teas are typically allowed oxidised to no more than 10% – 15%. Some white teas are also roasted to give it a bit of oomph.
OUR WHITE TEAS
The Sacred Peony White
£9.00
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Kumquat Peony Thins
£8.50 – £17.00
Organic Dragon Pearl Jasmine
£8.50 – £24.50
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Organic Snow Bud
£8.00
All tea starts off green. For oolongs, the tea leaves are given the black tea “treatment” to achieve the desired oxidation levels and then they are given the “green tea treatment” to halt the oxidation process. They can then go to a charcoal roasting process.
Light oolong tea leaves are given less of the “black tea treatment” first to get to the desired oxidation levels (typically No more than 40%). They then go through the “green tea treatment” to fix the oxidation level.
The liquor of light oolong tea can vary from floral to sweet sugar cane. They can also be very lightly toasted. There is no better way to brighten your day than to enjoy a pot of light oolong tea.
OUR LESS OXIDIZED OOLONG TEAS
“Gifts from Goddess” Discovery Collection
£9.50 – £42.00
“Four Black Dragons” Discovery Collection
£12.50 – £45.00
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Iron Goddess of Mercy
£8.50 – £24.50
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Fragrant Gardenia Phoenix
£8.50 – £16.50
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Pouchong Oolong
£8.50 – £16.50
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Qizhong Oolong
£8.50 – £16.50
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Lishan Oolong
£8.50 – £24.50
Green Pu Erhs, also known as “sheng” (生) or “raw”, are teas that have been naturally aged in carefully controlled, dry storage with suitable exposure to air. Think of it as a vintage white wine. Green Pu Erhs are usually compressed into the form of cakes or bricks. They are perfect for current consumption and for vintaging.
The base green tea leaf is picked and processed in much the same way as if green tea is going to be made, plucked, roasted and left to dry in the sun. But after that the leaves are skillfully encouraged to oxidized and ferment and then they are typically compressed into round tea discs or bricks (a.k.a. ‘Cha Bing’ 茶饼 literally ‘tea cakes’) and stored for vintaging. This produces the characteristic earthy, autumnal flavours and aromas.
Green Pu Erhs are herbaceous, smooth, sweet, bright, brisk, clean, soft and slightly woody. There is a hint of roastiness, and they can be frisky if young. They have a lingering finish. The colour of the liquor is bright clear, from pale wheat-yellow to amber depending on the age of the tea.
OUR GREEN PU ERH TEAS
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Big Snow Mountain Green Pu Erh 2011 Vintage
£10.00 – £30.00Sold out
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Big Snow Mountain Green Pu Erh 2010 Vintage
£8.50 – £153.00
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Shining Moon Green Pu Erh 2011 Vintage
£8.50 – £24.50
Take part in the beautiful Chinese ‘gongfu cha’ tea ceremony while we shares with you our love of tea. You’ll discover how to appreciate the finer nuances of tea like a true connoisseur, yet in a light and relaxed setting.
You’ll be introduced to gorgeous teas with fascinating, evocative names like ‘snow buds’, ‘honey orchid phoenix’ and ‘dragon well’. The incredible range of flavours and aromas will amaze you.
~~ Whilst we patiently wait for the effective control of COVID-19 pandemic, our popular tea masterclasses are held online via our “Teas in the Clouds - Brew-along Masterclass”. ~~
OUR TEA MASTERCLASSES
Tea Artisan Training Course
£180.00
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‘Flight of Tasting’ Event
£25.00Oxygen. Wonderful stuff.
But it also oxidises things: think iron rusting or copper coins going that weird green colour and the cut side of apple turning brown. Fresh tea leaves, like apples and other plants, have an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase. It is capable of oxidizing polyphenols which are very important molecules for protection against infections to giving them their pigments.
Polyphenol oxydase and the polyphenols themselves are stored in the plant’s cells, but when the cells are damaged, say by slicing an apple or dropping and bruising it, the cells are ruptured and the enzyme comes into contact with air. With the help of oxygen in the air, the polyphenol oxidase initiates a series of chemical reactions, transforming the polyphenols and eventually producing melanins (brown pigments).
The general name for this process is “enzymatic browning,” and the fabulous thing (for tea at least) is that it doesn’t just change the appearance of produce: it also alters flavour, scent, and nutritional value.
Big Snow Mountain Green Pu Erh 2010 Vintage
A rare 2010 Spring Green Pu Erh harvested from 2000-year old tea trees. It is refreshingly sweet and full-bodied. Perfect for enjoying now or for vintaging.
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Big Snow Mountain Green Pu Erh 2011 Vintage
A rare 2011 Spring Green Pu Erh harvested from 2000-year old tea trees. It is refreshingly mellow and full-bodied. Perfect for enjoying now or for vintaging.
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Fragrant Gardenia Phoenix
Brilliant Phoenix Oolong varietal, light, barely roasted, with a hint of citrus and the floral aroma of fragrant gardenias.
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Genmaicha
Jade green, steamed Japanese tea blended with highly aromatic, fire-toasted rice kernels. Soothing, sweet, simply sublime!
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Gyokuro
The connoisseur's green tea, light and delicate, perfect to enjoy on its own or paired with simple sweets.
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Houjicha
A wonderfully calming brew with a distinctive roasty full-bodied aroma and a delicious, settling flavour.
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Iron Goddess of Mercy
A light and delicious Anxi Oolong, with notes of honey and the aromas of orchid and osmanthus. As cooling as whispering bamboos in the valleys.
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Kumquat Peony Thins
A rare vintage white tea sealed with kumquat peels giving a mellow, subtly sweet and delicately perfumed infusion reminiscent of floating clouds and dreamy days.
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Lishan Oolong
This notable high mountain tea from Taiwan delights with refreshing sugar cane sweetness, creamy texture and a persistent floral finish.
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Matcha
As revered in the Japanese tea ceremony, but also a great ingredient for cakes and desserts, this is high quality Japanese green tea in natural powder form.
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