The
China Tea Co.
Gourmet Chinese Tea
We wish to share the superb green and oolong teas we have tasted in our
travels in China. Teas with flavour, body and aroma far superior to any
of the tea offered in Western stores. Rather than the cardboard flavours
contained in most tea bags, experience the exquisite flavours that excited
the first Western explorers who brought tea back from China.
Historically, Europeans drank black tea because it could be preserved
longer on sea voyages, and also because it was less easy to adulterate
when it arrived. The Chinese generally do not drink black tea, but prefer
to savour the aromas, floral palate and natural sweetness of green and
oolong teas. Milk was only added to Tibetan teas, and to British teas
in seventeenth century most probably to alleviate astringent flavours.
The best quality green teas are much like wines as the region, climate
and annual weather have a role in determining quality. And the appreciation
of fine oolong or green teas is not unlike the quest to find an excellent
Chablis or flinty Marlborough.
If you are new to drinking premium Chinese tea, we suggest starting with
a fine Oolong tea and then, over time, exploring the more subtle, but
equally addictive, green teas. |