LU YU GOLDEN THREAD BLACK TEA

Lu Yu Golden Thread is a special grade of Chinese black tea produced in the high elevation tea gardens of western Hubei, China. Each year, this golden 'Hao Ya' tea is carefully selected from the farmers earliest batches of spring tea. It has a mellow and refreshing character that is smooth with low astringency. It is expertly oxidised, with even graded leaves and big, golden buds. It is wonderfully full-flavoured with a rich body and is a treat for black tea lovers. A Chinese poet described Enshi, where this tea is grown as "Endless green mountains to walk on, endless clear water going away". The misty hills around Enshi City are ideal for black tea production as the relatively low altitude (500m), temperate, humid climate and high rainfall promote the retention of the sweeter tea flavonoids that make the finished product so mellow. The best grades are picked starting in late March to early April. The leaves are gently rolled to release the oxidising enzymes, then packed into baskets to slowly oxidise to the characteristic wine-dark colours. The leaves are then tightly rolled into gold-tipped spears and baked dry only when oxidisation is complete. The liquor is nut brown with hints of red wine. It has a mellow and a smooth, refreshing character with notes of nut, longan fruit and caramel with low astringency. It is high in vitamin A. The Chinese believe it is beneficial for the digestion, skin and relieving stress. If taking without milk, brew in the Chinese style with 2g of tea, three minute infusion time but the leaves can be brewed 3-4 times.