2025 Lung Vai White + Red Tea from Vietnam

This black tea comes from 200-300 year old Snow Shan trees in a private garden in Lùng Vài Village, Hà Giang Province, near Vietnam's border with China. The ancient trees were pollarded years ago, causing them to grow flat rather than tall, but they remain healthy and continue producing exceptional tea in this very remote mountain location.

The Red + White name reflects its unique processing: a black tea made using some white tea techniques, crafted entirely from buds. The wet leaves give off mild wood and incense aromas, while the brewed tea offers citrus, honey, and mineral notes.

In the cup, it's gentle and flavorful without being heavy. There's a slightly citrusy quality that opens in the center of the tongue, along with malty, Yunnan-like characteristics and citrus berry back notes. The tea stays pleasant as it cools, developing more classic medium-bodied qualities over time.

This all-bud tea brews well using both western and gongfu methods, and responds well to experimenting with different water temperatures.