Tea is named for the 3 wonderful infusions the leaves traditionally offer. Using a pan-firing method called "San Bei Xiang", it results in leaves in various shades of dark green and, at times, almost a silver-gray appearance. A traditional green made in both Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces, it offers a nuanced taste that is both sweet and strong. The tea maker works the leaves in the wok to sharpen the naturally sweet and pungent notes of the cultivar. Our lot is known as "GuYu" harvest as it was plucked in the second week of April, 2024.
Lot Notes. Harvested early in the season, its flavors are brisk and full bodied in the cup. Leaves are dense and rich in green color.
Tea Facts. Three Cups is one of the early green teas of the Spring harvest. Our lot was made in Fujian Priovince. Skill in the firing process is critical to shaping the teas unique flavors. Uniformity in leaf size is important to maintain a smooth taste.
Tasting Notes. Our lot was fired at a high temperature accentuating its mineral-sweet flavors while preserving its grassy notes. A lite fruit note is to be enjoyed. A strong green, it is best steeped on the brief side; too long a steep will bring puckering on the palate. It cups clean with a refreshing aftertaste.
Brewing Suggestions. A rounded teaspoon or 3 grams of leaf for 6- 8 ounces of water will steep to a full-bodied cup. Use water around 195F. We recommend a short steep of 1.5 - 2 minutes and taste. Leaves will yield multiple steeps.
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GREEN TEA
3 grams/1 teaspoon per 6 ounces of water
170° - 195° F
2 Minutes
Full-leaf green teas will open to layered, delicate flavors. The freshly picked leaves are dehydrated to prevent oxidization and preserve their natural green color. Japanese green teas are steamed to preserve their fresh aromas and flavor notes. It is best if green tea is not brewed with boiling water.
Lower temperature water allows the leaves to steep slowly, preserving their natural sweetness. Green teas and yellow teas offer a gentle vegetal aroma. In the mouth, flavors range from spring asparagus and delicate notes of sorrel and raw vegetables to herbaceous and nutty.
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strong tea
This tea has a bite. Not a lot of complexity, but, pleasant. I drink this tea when driving and can get numerous infusions in while a stop for gas or to go the bathroom, (because a drink so much tea).
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Three Cups...Maybe Even Five!
I'm slowly but surely getting into fine Chinese tea, so I'm no tea pro, although I definitely can taste the difference from a quality purveyor like Silk Road Teas. Specifically, this green has just blown me away by the flavor, quality, and complexity. The tea notes SRT has provided here are pretty accurate -- grassy and green veggies on the first cup, then a little bit sweeter with some toastiness each time. Brewing this in a gaiwan has easily given me five infusions, but I think I could have gotten one or two more before losing quality. Also delicious cold.