Vintage Imperial Concubine Oolong Tea (2016)

High above the clouds of Lishan, where cool mountain air drifts through tea gardens perched at 2,000 metres above sea level, a tea destined for patience began its journey.

Harvested in May 2016, this Vintage Imperial Concubine Oolong carries the memory of a remarkable season. Before the leaves were plucked, leafhoppers visited the tea bushes, gently nibbling the leaves and setting in motion a transformation prized by tea makers for generations. Their touch gives rise to the honeyed sweetness and fruit-laden aromas that define the finest aged guifei teas.

Yet it is time that completes the story.

For ten years, this tea has been stored in a controlled environment at the Yang Tea Farm in Lugu, gently reroasted and aged across two generations of family masters. This patient process allows the initial charcoal heat to mature, slowly exchanging youthful brightness for depth and composure. The result is a velvety, highly viscous tea carrying rich notes of dried longan wood, dark molasses, and wildflower honey, ending in a deep, cooling sweetness.

Produced in limited quantities and impossible to reproduce exactly, this tea is a reflection of a singular harvest, preserved and refined through a decade of careful ageing.

Brew it when the day begins to soften, share it with close company, or keep it for yourself on evenings when silence feels like a luxury.