Also known as Yao Bao (purple leaf), the buds used to make this unusual looking white tea have purple highlights, and they look like dragon scales, hence the name. As surprising in taste as it is in appearance, this white tea, with notes of litchi, citrus and rose tastes like no other tea we have tried.
Dragon Scale White Tea comes from the sub-tropical Ha Giang region in Northern Vietnam. Grown at an altitude of up to 2.400 meters the unusual looking buds that are used to make this tea come from ancient tea trees that have grown wild for centuries.
It is hard for us to imagine the scenery, climate and environment in which these “wild” tea trees and bushes grow. In a place where it seems like time has stood still, there are just three weeks in the spring when local Zdao villagers can collect the purple-green buds for this unusual looking tea. After careful picking (which involves climbing into the trees), the buds are then transported to a small family business in a nearby village to be dried in the sun and given a light roasting to stop the buds from oxidizing. Because these tea trees have grown wild and organically, each bush/tree is unique and it is not possible to say name the cultivar.
Genuinely “fair trade” and as natural as can be, the locals who are involved in making this tea, and another white silver needle style tea, charmingly called “Fairy White Tea“, called it “Dragon Scale” because of its appearance.
Full of complex fruit notes and with no trace of astringency, Dragon Scale White Tea is totally different from any other white tea we have tasted. We strongly recommend that you try this amazing tea. Although it is very rare and highly sought after, this is not reflected in the price.
To get the best out of this tea we recommend multiple infusions at 80 – 90°C, starting with 5 minutes and increasing the brewing time by 2 – 3 minutes each time.
White tea buds
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