Jasmine Nectar

Grown in Fujian Province, China, Jasmine Silver Tip is also know as Jasmine Yin Hao and has a delicate yet pronounced floral scent and flavor. The green leaves are harvested in spring, pan fired to neutralize their oxidizing enzyme and stored until July, when jasmine flowers begin to bloom. The tea is then layered with unopened jasmine buds, which slowly unfurl and share their heavenly fragrance. Once the flowers have scented the tea, they are removed.

Less utilized in our blends than their pink counterparts, dried red rose petals are more pungent and perfumed.

Seductively fragrant, with floral notes and a menthol bite, cardamom is a bush in the ginger family that grows to 10 feet high. Popular in Persian and Indian cooking, it is also widely used in tea and chai blends. We believe the best is produced by indigenous Mayan farmers in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Its pale yellow flowers turn into clusters of cherries that are dried. These whole green pods or the dark seeds inside are removed to spice tea.

Grown in the mountains of central Zhejiang Province, China, at altitudes above 3000 feet, Mao Feng is harvested in the spring and quickly hot air fired. This neutralizes the oxidizing enzyme and seals in the fresh flavors and aromas. The long, slender jade leaves of Mao Feng brew to a color of pale green and impart a pleasing vegetative fragrance with buttery notes and lingering sweetness.

Ginger, used in many cultures to enliven food and drink, is also known for its healthful qualities. A light stimulant, it can treat cold symptoms and sore throat. Ginger is cultivated most prominently in India, China, Indonesia and West Africa. After the plant flowers and the leaves die off, the roots are dug, washed, peeled and sun dried. Ginger’s spicy-sweet flavor adds spark and complexity to our Big Hibiscus.

Osmanthus is a species of evergreen shrubs and trees native to Asia. Its flowers are extremely fragrant and when made into a tea have strong peach notes. A favorite of Steve's, we use this botanical in our signature White Petal blend.