PROFILE: DRIED ROSE, CARAMEL, FENNEL, TOAST, MOLASSES

ORIGIN: CHO LONG, MOC CHAU, SON LA, VIETNAM

HARVEST: SEPTEMBER 2023

A welcome return to our catalogue for this wild oolong tea from Son La. Moon Bear Oolong Tea is produced from one bud and two leaves harvested from a small collection of wild trees at Cho Long in Moc Chau district. It is oxidized to a higher degree than the popular farm grown Red Buffalo which is produced by the same maker. The 2023 Moon Bear produces a wonderfully balanced, full bodied liquor with an exceedingly pleasant mouthfeel. Rich in flavour, the taste encompasses notes ranging from dried rose and fennel to toast, caramel and molasses. Even a little chocolate. Higher oxidation hints at the character of black tea but without the tannic stringency With the inherent depth of big leaf, ancient tree leaves, Moon Bear can be infused up to 5 or 6 times without loss of flavour.

The moon bear (or Asiatic Black Bear) is the smallest of the bear species and is native to large parts of Asia (including Vietnam). It is a protected species in Vietnam but is listed as endangered due to loss of habitat and commercial hunting, both for meat and traditional medicine. At Hatvala we continue to sponsor the rescue work of Animals Asia at their Bear Sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park.