Hunan Early Spring Cloud & Mist | Hunan Jiu Yi Zao Chun Yun Wu - Option: 50 g

Jiu Yi Shan Yun Wu 九嶷山云雾 is a high mountain green tea from the famous Jiuyi Mountain area in Hunan Province of China. This tea is grown at an organic garden at an altitude of around 850 m. The garden was planted in the 60’s with local cultivar plants grown from seed. This early spring harvest produces a verdant liquor with classic green tea flavours and a pleasant, slightly smoky note.

This Jiu Yi Shan Yun Wu comes from an organic garden (certified since 2012) that was originally planted in the 60’s. The custom at the time was to plant with local tea plants, through seed planting rather than cuttings. The fancy new cultivars (propagated through cuttings, or cloning) that feature big fluffy buds and very early harvests is a much more recent development! These native plants are normally referred to by a few different names, but the Qun Ti Zhong 群体种 is one commonly used. The seed planting leads to a much more varied tea garden, with a diverse gene pool of the plants, resulting in a richer flavour. This also provides some additional natural protection from pests and diseases. If you look at the photos of the tea garden and the tea plants, the variety of not only the leaf colours but also shapes is immediately evident. This can only happen in a seed planted garden, especially one that has been going for a longer period of time.

Jiu Yi Cloud & Mist has smaller, younger leaves with a verdant aroma and a hint of smoke. It produces a green, lightly opaque liquor. The flavours are predominately verdant, with creamy, savoury and vegetal notes. It has a touch of astringency that is very pleasant. The aftertaste delivers more fresh verdant flavours that become a bit more tangy.