Black & Rare Teas

Many teas have a distinguished history in Chinese culture. Teas that are lovingly kept and maintained over many years are the rarest treasures. Storing a tea is an art unto itself and many teas are poorly kept. Our aged rare teas are all expertly stored and reflect that in their bright and dynamic taste. Our fresh rare teas are nothing less than the highest grade for their category. 


Charcoal

Made of high quality whole pieces of Japanese bamboo, this charcoal sweetens and cleans water by absorbing chlorine and bad odors, and emitting negative ions.
Click here to order.

Private Collection Liu Bao, Guang Xi China 1970-1980's

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Picked in the late 1970's but packed in the 1980's, this tea has hints of smooth cinnamon, camphor, dry wood and chestnut in the aroma.  The bright red, clear brew tastes of mahogany, wood smoke, and cocoa nibs. Thick as puerh, red wine-y as Big Red Robe, rich as dark chocolate, and smooth as the finest silk. This is a loose leaf tea.  Since 2002 Liu Bao has been pressed into bricks or tuo cha, and is no longer available loose.  Vacuum sealed for optimum flavor preservation.

$60 / 14 grams

Organic Tribute Red Jade #18, Ping Xi, Taiwan, Fall 2009

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By special request, processed exclusively
by hand and only available at Red Circle Tea. Large beautiful leaves, expertly oxidized for their fullest potential of flavor. Beautiful deep color. Notes of buttered sweet potato, juicy tangerine peel and a whisper of a cool top note. Organic and from a Buddhist monastery. Extremely limited quantity, only one kilo available, this tea is good for 18 months. You can read more about this tea on our blog here.


 

Tribute Red Jade #18

Vintage Jasmine Liu An 2001

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A blend of Liu An green tea, from Liu An province with Wu Yi tea from Fujian province and Jasmine flowers. Aged with care over 6 years for a complex, deep, rich and totally unique taste. This tea has qualities of dark roasted oolong, spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a sweet jasmine air to the finish. A rare find, this tea is no longer produced.

Jasmine Liu An

Antique Dong Ding Oolong Taiwan 1983

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From Dong Ding in Central Taiwan, picked in its prime and carefully aged since 1983. Re-toasted every two years to take the humidity out, this tightly rolled tea is extremely rare and exquisite. Deep notes of mahogany and chestnut will linger for hours. With a cool throat feeling and lingering sweetness, this is an incredibly refreshing tea. This tea gives at least 15 steepings. From a private collection.

Dong Ding 83

Chrysanthemum King Flowers, December 2009

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Tribute grade chrysanthemum is excellent tea, but in Guangdong province, a more fragrant and bright yellow varietal of Chrysanthemum is preferred, it is called Chrysanthemum King. It is from a different growing area altogether, northern Hangzhou instead of Anxi's Yellow mountain. The flavor is stronger, sweeter, more intense and more honey like (as opposed to a sage-y quality from white flowers). The aroma will fill your cup and the room and leave you feeling relaxed. There is no caffeine in these flowers and they are not part the Camellia Sinensis tea plant.

Chrysanthemum King

For more info contact:
Sina or Carnie