Azure Spring Yunnan Sun-Dried Ancient Tree Black Tea 2024

These cakes were pressed by 春日山蓝 Azure Spring of Taiwan. 

Season: 2024
Origin: Lincang 临沧 Yunnan, China
Tree Variety: Assamica "Big Leaf"

Sun drying black tea is one of the traditional ways of producing black tea in Yunnan. The difference in process affects the character of the tea and its longevity.  Unlike Dianhong, which is roasted as part of the production process, this tea is sun dried, which gives it a mellower aroma, and smoother profile. Whereas roasted black teas are usually best consumed within three years of production, sun-dried Yunnan black tea is best consumed after at least one year of aging. The enzymes and amino acids are preserved in this tea as it does not undergo roasting, and it can be aged similarly to sheng pu'er.

BREWING METHODS

Kung Fu Brewing
Warm the teapot or gaiwan by adding hot water and then pouring it out.
Add around 5g of tea for every 100ml of water. Begin by adding the loose tea to the teapot or gaiwan.
Pour hot water into the vessel. We recommend using water at 90C. After the water in the kettle has come to a boil and settled, it can be left standing in the kettle for around 5 minutes before being used.
Tea can be rinsed quickly with hot water. This first rinse helps to open up the tea for its first brew. This first rinse is optional.
The tea can be steeped multiple times. We recommend the following steeping time per brew, but we also recommend extending or shortening the steeping time depending on preference for a stronger or weaker brew.
Steeping times:
1st :30s　→　2nd: 35s　→　3rd-5th：40s　→　6th +：60s
 
Western Method
Warm up the teapot with hot water.
Add around 3g of tea to a teapot with a capacity of 300-500ml.
Pour hot water into the vessel. We recommend using water at 90C. After the water in the kettle has come to a boil and settled, it can be left standing in the kettle for around 5mins before being used.
Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes.

Cold Brewing Method
Add 1 tsp for a 500ml thermos.
Add cold or room temperature water to the thermos.
Seal the lid and place the thermos in a refrigerator. We recommend leaving the thermos for at least 2-3 hours. Thermos can be put into the refrigerator to steep overnight. If refilling, we recommend topping up the water before the volume falls half-way to keep the tea flavourful.