Origin: Bangdong Township, Lincang, Yunnan Province, China Elevation: ~ 2000 m Cultivar: Camellia taliensis Harvest time: Spring 2023 Source: Selected with You Cai
This exceptional Ya Bao white tea is harvested from wild Camellia taliensis trees that thrive in the remote mountains of Bangdong Township, Yunnan, at elevations around 2000 meters. Unlike cultivated Camellia sinensis, Camellia taliensis is a primitive tea species, naturally evolving over centuries with distinct botanical traits, including five-locular ovaries and five-parted stigmas, compared to the three found in C. sinensis.
During the first budding of the harvest cycle, Camellia taliensis produces protective outer layers around new shoots, forming the tender buds known as Ya Bao. In this unique variety, the buds exhibit a natural purple hue, a trait historically celebrated in Chinese tea culture. As Tea Sage Lu Yu once said, "For tea, purple is the supreme." Purple teas are rare, and some believe they offer additional health benefits.
After careful handpicking, the buds undergo traditional white tea processing, preserving their vibrant aromatics and delicate character. The result is a tea with a complex, fruity profile, pronounced wild notes, a smooth, silky texture, and a clean, lingering finish.
