Meticulously hand-rolled autumn Laoshan green tea yielding a potent, grassy long lasting brew with green bean sweetness. . . . Mr. He was extremely proud to unveil his latest experiment when we visited his farm in Laoshan Village at the beginning of November. We have consistently told him that his family is free to innovate and try out any ideas because we will buy up the results. This incredible new offering is a labor of love, with Mr. He carefully rolling the tea by hand into tighter bilochun-like curls. His hunch was that the deeper more savory flavors that come out in bilochun rolling would bring out the best in Laoshan green. We wholeheartedly agree.
The He family tea fields in Laoshan Village, autumn 2012
This tea is made from fresh-picked leaves and buds for a sweet grassy flavor. The hand rolling gives the tea a much longer steeping life than traditional Laoshan Green, and a more savory full-bodied base note. Mr He told us that if this tea is well-received, he will try making a bilochun-style hand rolled Laoshan Black. It is exciting to be able to support projects in innovation like this one that not only benefit us tea drinkers and the He family, but advance the state of tea in general and keep challenging producers to bring out the best in their specific terroir.
Date of Picking:October, 2012
Location of Picking:Ocean-facing slope of Laoshan Mountain in Laoshan Village, Shandong Province He Family Farm 15-20 acre plot fed by the mountain spring running down from the rock face of Laoshan.
What Was Picked:Young leaves and buds from the fresh autumn flush.
Quantity Acquired:Mr. He sold us 15 pounds of this new experiment, with a promise for more in the spring.
Sourcing Agent(s):David Duckler, after spending months in Laoshan Village on a tea research grant.
