Tibetan Artisan Brick 2017 No.907

We visited our tea producer in Mengding shan in 2019 for the first time. He makes exceptionally pure, elegant teas from leaves plucked from the beautiful surrounding mountains. For this tea, he uses the larger leaves and stems from the 3-4th plucking. The leaves are carefully fermented in large wooden crates using a traditional technique and then pressed into bricks. The interesting thing about dark teas is that they help to warm up the body in the winter and to cool it down in the heat of summer, they aid digestion and ground energy.

The steamed aroma of the leaves highlight notes of caramel, licorice, rum, cane sugar molasses, and cavendish tobacco. The first sips evoke the senses "reminiscent of a dark, infinite universe". The slowly unfolding flavours play around woody, citrus, brandy, and black pepper notes, then gradually evolve into a complex experience like a fine red vermouth.

We recommend also boiling the tealeaves - which enhances the liquor-like body of the tea. The brew offers notes of jujube, goji berries and cognac, reminiscent of a delicious coffee cake. Drinking it relaxes the whole body and gently circulates qi. Perfect for a grounding moment during the day.

Quantity: 6-7 grams for 150ml of water
Water temperature: 95ºC. Preferably fresh spring water, mineral water or filtered water
Brewing time: 15-20-30...seconds
Infusions: 5-6

Boiling method

Quantity: 12 grams for 800-850ml of water
Water temperature: 95ºC. Preferably fresh spring water, mineral water or filtered water
Boiling time: 10-20 minutes depending on taste
Infusions: 2-3