Sun Moon Lake Red Jade T-18 Lot 1229

Mr. Li grows and produces tea with his wife and two teenager boys from leaves that never see a drop of synthetic pesticide. This cleanliness is definitely noticeable in the cup! “Clean” is again the word that comes to mind when the nectar reaches your lips, mouth and throat. This tea flows without dips or spikes in a harmonious balance of fruity stone fruits and cool cinnamon notes supported by a good foundation of cooked sugar. As it is now our custom, we are now more and more inclined to select teas from cooler seasons as they tend propose a more supple body and the beautiful jammy fruitiness typical of T-18 teas. Both Lot 1126 and 1229 are generous and full-bodied but with al little less astringency, and what aromatics! Red Jade Tea is as much a pleasure for the nose as it is for the taste buds! As producers of Red Jade Black Tea ourselves, we know when we are in the presence of a superior quality tea. Finally, both Lots were tested for compliance with the stringent EU norm for residual pesticide content and it came out squeaky clean – another good reason for supporting Mr. Li’s work!

The majestic Sun Moon Lake’s plateau of rolling hills in Central Nantou county provides the perfect setting for this one of kind tea. This beautiful scenic area of Taiwan has a long history with black tea cultivation that dates back to the 1920’s, when the island was under the colonial rule of Japan. After the demise of Japan at the conclusion of WW II, the black tea plantations fell into disuse and the land was converted to other crops. It is only since the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of Sept. 1999 that a renewed interest resurfaced.
It is comforting to know that tea enthusiasts can modestly contribute to the success of this turn around with each Red Jade cup they drink. The effort needed to do so is less than painful considering the truly remarkable and distinct drinking experience it brings!