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Spring 2018 Zao Qiao Di

  • Old natural tea gardens, Jinggu town, Zao Qiao Di Village
  • Harvested in early Spring 2018
  • Processed by hand in Yun Jian tea factory, Jinggu
  • Available in 357g cakes and 20g samples

Jinggu is a city located in the middle of Yunnan. North-West of that city, there's a town with the same name, we call it 'little Jinggu' to make the difference. Around this town are a lot of tea mountains, this is what's known as Jinggu area. 

Zao Qiao Di is a village located east of Xiao Jinggu, at an altitude of 2000m. It started tea cultivation about 200 years ago and has gardens all around the village. There is no forest covering the gardens, the tea trees are unshaded and take full advantage of the high altitude sunlight. They are pruned in a distinct way called 'Teng Tiao'. Most of the lateral branches are cut off during pruning, the ones remaining are allowed to grow long and tall, If unreachable, they are just reoriented in order to grow toward a reachable area. Since the trees have a thick trunk it is possible to climb on it, the crowns are about 5m high.

Our friend, Li Chao, grew up in little Jinggu, he is the third generation to make tea. When he was 17, he left home and traveled all over China to sell the family tea production. He went on to expand his business and now has a well established tea shop in Pu'er City. He specializes in tea from Jinggu area.

 The tea processed by hand. The wok cooking was made at a lower temperature than what we're used to in Jingmai. The tea brews a golden soup that brings out honey-like aroma. This fragrance is complex and stays for a long time in the mouth after drinking. The mouthfeel is balanced, some bitterness, good sweetness, medium viscosity and low astringency. An enjoyable tea overall with a mild power that will calm you.