Fruity Yixing black tea

Most tea lovers know Yixing for its legendary purple clay teapots, but here's a secret that's been hiding in plain sight: this same region produces some absolutely incredible black tea that deserves way more attention than it gets.

Our Yixing Hong cha comes from the same hills where master potters have been shaping zisha clay for centuries. There's something special about this terroir - maybe it's the mineral-rich soil, maybe it's the misty mornings that roll through the tea gardens, but whatever it is, it creates a black tea that's completely different from what you'd expect.

We're talking about a late April harvest here - that precious first flush when the tea bushes wake up from winter and push out their most concentrated, flavorful leaves. The tea workers know exactly when to pick; there's maybe a two-week window when everything comes together perfectly.

What makes this tea stand out is how it's processed. Instead of going for the typical malty, robust profile you get with most Chinese blacks, our producer focuses on extracting these gorgeous sweet and fruity notes that are naturally hiding in the Jiukeng varietal leaves. The result? A cup that hits you with honey sweetness up front, followed by these lovely fruit undertones - think stone fruits, maybe a hint of apple - and then finishes with just enough malty backbone to remind you you're drinking a proper black tea.

This isn't a tea that's going to knock your socks off with boldness or complexity. What it will do is give you a reliably delicious, smooth cup that you'll want to reach for every morning. It's the kind of tea that just makes sense as a daily drinker - comforting, satisfying, never harsh or bitter even if you accidentally oversteep it.

Tasting Notes: Sweet honey, stone fruits, gentle maltiness, incredibly smooth finish

Origin: Yixing Township, Jiangsu Province
Varietal: Jiukeng 鸠坑种
Harvest: Late April 2025 (First Flush)
Processing: Traditional black tea method with emphasis on fruit-forward character

Perfect for: Morning tea, all-day sipping, anyone looking to explore Chinese black teas beyond the usual suspects