PROFILE: PEAR, PLUM, MOSS, STONE, FOREST FLOOR, SHENG-STYLE

ORIGIN: Y TI, LAO CAI, VIETNAM

HARVEST: APRIL 2020

Forest Genie is a distinctive and pleasingly balanced sheng-style dark tea from the Y Ti commune of Bat Xat district in Lao Cai. Produced in a close-knit Red Dao community whose families live either side of the Vietnam/ China border which is separated here by the narrow Lung Po stream.

Wild trees spread deep into the ancient forest in Y Ti at altitudes of 2,000 metres and above. Harvested leaves are collected and taken to the village where they are gently pan-dried, rolled and left in the sun to dry in small batches by an artisan tea-maker.

Forest Genie is a fascinating and complex tea that offers generous depth to the drinking experience that stretches from the tongue to the nose, palate and back of the throat.

The 2020 Forest Genie has started to develop a subtle earthiness to complement the original notes of moss, stone, slate, pear, plum and straw. The balance between sweet, bitter, and astringent in the light-yellow tea liquor is in perfect harmony - all topped off with a long, sweet aftertaste.