Dongfang Meiren "Oriental Beauty"
3377
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The origin of this tea is steeped in folklore. The prevailing story dates back to the 1930s when a farmer who had been traveling returned to his tea plantation only to find it infested with insects. Not willing to waste his crop, he harvested it anyway and to his surprise, the processed leaves produced an exceptional aroma. His nearby tea merchant was equally impressed and offered him double the usual price. When the farmer returned to his village to share his achievement, no one believed him and thought he was bragging. Hence, this tea is called Peng Feng or Pong Fong in the local Hakka dialect, which translates to Huff and Puff and otherwise known as the Braggart's Tea.
Whether true or not, this story is perhaps the first successful case of producing an insect-bitten tea and has since opened up a whole category of teas that come together under the name Mi Xiang, which means Honey Scent. The small insect is now known as Jacobiasca formosana, also known as the green leaf flea or tea jassid. It sucks the phloem juices from plants, which in turn triggers a self-defense mechanism in the plant by producing phytoalexins, specifically terpenes, and among these hotrienol. Terpenes have a dual function, acting as an insecticide and attracting natural predators to the insects. Hotrienol is also found in grapes, honey and Second Flush Darjeeling teas, and is thought to be responsible for the desirable muscat aroma. To attract the jassids, tea plantations must be completely pesticide-free and usually at lower altitudes where temperatures are warmer. Harvesting usually takes place during the hottest midsummer months, which is when these insects begin to multiply. Unlike most other oolong teas, only the bud and first two leaves are picked as they are the most tender and especially targeted by the jassids.
The tea has a fruity aroma and gives a taste of stone fruit, raisins and honey and the color in the cup resembles amber.
We suggest brewing this tea at a lower temperature with a longer steeping time, as this helps to bring out the musky, oxidized, sweet-sour Muscat notes. Through the infusions, the flavors will transition to a more woody character that is somewhat more typical of a black tea. Also known as Oriental Beauty, a nickname supposedly given by Queen Elizabeth II after she fell in love with this tea.
For this tea, we suggest that you try the Western brewing style. The idea behind this technique is to use fewer leaves and much more water, while brewing time becomes longer to extract as much of the taste as possible at one and the same time.
Orders placed on weekdays before 12:00 will be shipped the same day.
We offer delivery for 49 SEK to the nearest agent with DHL and Postnord within Sweden.
You also have the option to pick up your order in our store at:
Hornsgatan 46, 118 21 Stockholm.
International orders are delivered by local post or DHL via courier or home delivery. Shipping methods and costs vary depending on the country and area.
