PROFILE: MUSCATEL, STONE FRUIT, HONEY, SPICE 

ORIGIN: MOC CHAU, SON LA, VIETNAM

HARVEST: JUNE 2026

This surprisingly early year batch of Oriental Beauty is the result of an unpredictable climate encouraging premature leafhopper activity. Hopefully, the first of many superior batches this year after last year’s disappointing harvest.

The first thing that stands out when brewing the tea is how far, wide and swiftly the aroma wafts around your tea space as the first water hits the leaves. The unique volatiles are a testament to the tea plants defences against bug attack.

The tea liquor shimmers between gold and amber with tell-tale muscatel notes that are rich and full. The flavour profile is topped off by a honey sweetness, the stone fruitiness of peach and apricot, and delicate hints of flowers and spice.

Oriental Beauty is a special hand crafted tea. It undergoes slow and repeated shaking, a longish oxidation, and a careful hand rolling to reveal and preserve the aromatics derived from the leafhopper activity.

Oriental Beauty is produced on the Moc Chau plateau at altitudes between 1100 and 1200 metres.  It is truly a rare tea of great quality.