Black, Rare Teas

From the bustling days of the ancient Silk Road to the pulsing currents of the internet age, authentic Puerh has been sampled, bartered, desired, fraudulently copied, discussed at length, and when genuine, revered. Velvety smooth Puerh tea is high in minerals, naturally sun-dried, and is an excellent digestive tea.

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.  

$60 / 14 grams

9th Grade Cooked Loose Puerh, Border China/Vietnam 1999

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With a hot-dry aroma of potato, top notes of earth, middle notes of sweet tangerine, and a smoky finish; these 9th grade leaves give an un-aggressive and clearly delicious brew with a subtle wei-gam throat finish. These are mixed 90% cooked and 10% raw leaves from a tea growing area that is usually disregarded because of over use of low grade leaves and poor attention to processing. Not this tea, this is a great every day puerh that gives 15 steepings.

$30 / 2oz

Puerh Brick Half Cooked 2006

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Half the leaves of this tea brick are fermented in a heated environment to artificially ripen the leaves to a darker color and smoother "aged" taste. The other half are left in their natural green state. Smoke-steamed and pressed, this is an interesting tea that new Puerh tea drinkers can enjoy while developing their appreciation for artisan "sheng" puerh. Great to add to your growing collection.

$30 / 250g brick

2004 Xia Guan Yellow Ribbon

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2004 is the first year of this Xia Guan Production. The yellow ribbon is your guarantee of the highest quality top grade leaves and buds. Only three in stock.
 
                                        $40 each

7533 Cooked Cake Xing Hai Factory Winter 2007

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With a flavor similar to the 7262 cake, this cake is from Menghai County area and was picked in November 2007. This tea is 80-90% cooked, and has a rich, complex composty taste, but has been dry stored since production, and has an extremely clean finish. Top layer has beautiful golden buds. This puerh is delicious, and ready to drink

$45 / 350g cake

2001 Vintage Jasmine Liu An

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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, and a limited edition.

$40 / 1oz

Oolong 1983 - Dong Ding

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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.

$80 / 1oz

Puerh 1996 Menghai

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From Yunnan Province, this 11 year old tea is incredibly well stored for great integrity of taste. Often, loose pu-er is grade 7-12, with larger leaves and stem. These are Grade 4 leaves, from a single source, a rare find. Cooked leaves give an earthy, woody full bodied and incredibly mellow taste. While this tea can vary in strength it will always have a sweet finish and no astringency. This is the last of Meng Hai Produced loose leaf tea. Get it while it's here, you'll be glad you did!

$25 / 1oz

For more info contact:
Sina or Carnie