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Rare Teas

Each year, we look for single origin teas not commonly found outside China. These teas are produced in limited quantities and, for the most part, sold locally early in the season. Employing methods of processing that have been passed generation-to-generation or reflective of a bold new style, small lots are handcrafted. Flavors and aromas are notable and typically stronger in taste as the buds and leaves are early-harvest compact and rich in polyphenols and minerals. Competition for these limited-edition teas is strong as China's domestic tea market is always exploring and seeking out new styles and flavors. 

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  • Black Bud  - Hēi yá - Rare Lot

    Black Bud - Hēi yá - Rare Lot

    First buds of the harvest offer the most pronounced flavors and aromas of the season. As late winter temperatures begin to warm, particularly in the mountains, dormant tea bushes awaken and sprout dense, compact buds, the first new tea. Harvested by hand...
    Sweet, coppery, exceptionally clean flavors; a wonderful lingering finish.

  • New Lot!

    Drunken Concubine - Zui Gue

    Drunken Concubine is named in recognition of the intoxicating flavors of a wonderful, high-grade Tieguanyin oolong. Grown in the AnXi Region of southern Fujian Province, the cultivar is made to variegated shades of greens almost to blue with soft golden...
    Caresses the tongue with nectar-like flavors.

  • outofstock Sold Out

    Black Fragrance - Hei Xiang - Rare

    Black Fragrance is in the class of early spring teas known as "fresh tea". These are early spring harvest teas made to local customs of processing to bring out the favored aromas and flavors of the surrounding population. Typically, they are made in...
    "Fresh tea", notes of molasses & fruit, with a lingering finish.
  • Golden Eyebrow - Jīn Jun Mei - Rare Lot

    Golden Eyebrow - Jīn Jun Mei - Rare Lot

    At traditional tea gatherings, Golden Eyebrow is held as a prestigious tea, one to be served proudly, knowing it will enhance friendship. A fine pluck, using buds and the top two leaves, our lot harvested early in spring 2021. The leaves are carefully...
    Aroma of orange, light fruitiness, finish is honeysuckle.

  • outofstock Sold Out

    Golden Dawn - Huang Dan

    Golden Dawn is in a class of high-mountain Dan Cong oolongs that were tribute teas during the Song Dynasty. This lot was harvested in 2006 from aged oolong trees estimated to be well over 80-100 years old. The roots of these trees now reach deep into the...
    Aged 16 years, peachy aroma

  • Gardenia Fragrance  - Huang Zhe Xiang

    Gardenia Fragrance - Huang Zhe Xiang

    Gardenia Fragrance is a true Dan Cong oolong. Harvested in 2001, this lot is made from a blend of the farm’s oolong trees. This was the traditional Dan Cong processing whereby leaves from various old trees are blended to create this lot. One will...
    Aged 22 years. Ambrosial, intoxicating!

  • Aged White Peony - Rare

    Aged White Peony - Rare

    Harvested in the spring of 2001, this aged White Peony was grown in Zhenghe County. When Silk Road Teas purchased this lot, it was rated as highest-grade leaf (known as Zhending Big White - cultivar Zhenghe Da Bai). The bushes are members of the Da Hao...
    Deep naturally sweet, herbaceous notes. Harvested 2001

  • outofstock Sold Out

    Phoenix Bird oolongs - Rare Collection

    Long favored as "tribute teas" by emperors, these 3 teas were grown on small farms in Chou Zhou County, the Yellow or Phoenix Mountains, Guangdong Province, and harvested in 2002-04. Plucked and crafted from select local cultivars, these...
    Flavors of nectar , stone fruit & floral to brown sugar & toasted almonds.

  • One Bush - Rare Oolong Collection

    One Bush - Rare Oolong Collection

    Our One Bush, a Fenghuang Dan Cong or Tan Chung style oolong, is made from a single tree of the famous "Chao An" cultivar. A cultivar local to the Fenghuang area of Guangdong Province, this lot was harvested in 2002. The Chao An...
    Aged oolong, sweet, complex fruit and nectar flavors.