Tell Me MoreTiny hand-rolled tea buds unfurl to release their mild springtime tea flavor. The shape is made to resemble Panda bear tears, which are a symbol of good luck.
In terms of the world's rarest teas, hand rolled Pai Mu Tan ranks amongst the most difficult to come by. Only a few thousand kilos are produced per year. Of this, most is snapped up by collectors in China and Germany. Securing a decent supply requires the right contacts, a little patience and a whole lot of luck. That's right, luck. So it comes as no surprise to learn that the tea was created as a tribute to one of the "luckiest" substances on earth, panda tears. When the Pandas heard the news that their friends had been killed, they covered their arms in black ashes, as was local custom. The mourning went on for days and as the pandas consoled each other, the ashes spread over their bodies. (Interestingly, this legend also explains how Pandas got their black markings.) The Pandas, feeling terribly about the deaths of the shepherdesses decided that to make up for the village's great loss they would grant wishes to anyone who asked. In those days, Panda tears were believed to have magical abilities. So the bears began collecting the tears they shed over the tragic event and bottling them for the villagers to use for their own use. Years passed and at some point, an ancient tea artisan decided to create some magic of his own by developing this exquisite, handmade masterpiece. This magnificent white tea is made in accordance with his ancient recipe and opens with light, greenish notes, subtle tones of grass, wheat and ultra faint green apple on the finish. An incredible tea - brew a pot and make a wish. |
Brew for Best ResultsIdeal Brewing Temperature: 180°F/82°C.
Modern Method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 180°F/ 82°C. With an infuser, use 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz of fluid water. Rinse the tea first by placing enough prepared water over the leaves and leave set for 10 seconds. Discard rinse water. Do not drink. Steep 3-5 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Traditional Method: When preparing by the traditional method, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 - 4 times. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 180°F/ 82°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz of fluid water. Rinse the tea first by placing enough prepared water over the leaves and leave set for 10 seconds. Discard rinse water. Do not drink. Pour the prepared water directly over the leaves after the rinse. Steep for about 2 minutes then remove leaves. Rinsing the leaves are not recommended when brewing the second or third time. |
Origin
Tea(s) From: China Region(s): Fujian Province, Fuding Reserved Collection Ingredients
Luxury Ingredients: White tea Iced tea instructions
Per Serving: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 180°F/ 82°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 7-9 oz of fluid water. Steep 5 minutes. Add filtered hot tea to 16 oz glass filled with ice. Per Pitcher: Makes 1 Quart. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 180°F/ 82°C. Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea in a heat resistant container. Pour 1 ¼ cup of prepared water over the tea leaves. Steep 5-7 minutes. With a fine mesh sieve, filter the hot tea liquor to the serving pitcher filled with ice. Add cold filtered water to top off. (Some luxury teas will turn cloudy when poured over ice). Brewing Tips
Making an amazing cup of tea requires several things. High quality tea, filtered or freshly drawn cold water, correct water temperature, time of infusion, and filters/infusers. Unfiltered water or too hot of water can ruin the best of teas. Always use filtered or freshly drawn cold water. Any flavor from water treatments or heavy minerals such as lime or calcium can taint the water. Brew at the ideal temperature. Too hot of water can scorch the leaves and produce a bitter brew. If you find that the tea is still bitter following the recommended brewing temperature, try lowering the brew temperature another 5 to 10 degrees. Use infusers that allow the tea leaves to fully expand and has full contact with the water. Ditch the tea bags. Know the steeping time for your tea. Too long of steeping can make your tea bitter and undesirable. Too short of time will make a weak tea. Don’t make tea in the microwave. food safety
We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today’s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illness. Cool the water to the ideal brewing temperature before brewing. |