Cao Bồ Sun-Dried Black Tea from Vietnam

This truly captivating sun-dried black tea from Cao Bồ in Vietnam's northernmost Ha Giang province offers exquisite aromatics of plum, peach, cooked sugar, light florals, and a touch of chocolate.  The body is silky and light with a very pleasant sweet, fruity aftertaste. 

Harvested from old trees in late 2025, this tea represents a traditional processing method that's increasingly uncommon. Unlike the standard oven-drying used for most modern black teas, sun-drying creates a different chemical composition and microbial population, resulting in a mellow texture and natural sweetness that persists.  Sun-drying also means that with proper storage, the tea will continue to develop and get better with age. 

Cao Bồ is very close to the border with China, and consequently much of the old tree leaf material is picked but sold to tea makers in China to be labeled as Chinese tea. It's unfortunate as this practice diminishes the potential recognition and fame of northern Vietnam's truly exceptional teas.

Spring 2025 harvest