Song Cheng (松針) translates to Pine Needles, it may not be obvious why when tea is rolled into dragon ball, but processed tea leaves are first rolled into long, pointy needle like shape. Rolling tea into dragon ball allows it also to age more gradually and develop way more interestingly. Those are hand rolled and their weight varies from ball to ball on average between 7.5g and 8g.
Brewing those Dragon Balls is pure pleasure as those open easily but allow tea to present itself in layers of different aromas and flavors.
Aromas at first bring warm and sweet chocolate notes accompanied by caramel, baked goods and touch of malt. Later on those open into more fruity notes, with warmth of dark bread skin and touch of herbs.
Liquor is smooth and thick, sweet and suitably malty with caramel notes at first, later on opening to fruity notes with fresh cherry like tartness, cocoa and wood.
DianHong (滇紅) refers generally to HongCha (紅茶) or red tea that is produced in the Yunnan province. Dian (滇) is abbreviated name for the Yunnan province, and Hong (紅) means red. Using materials from tea trees to make red tea gives richness and complexity, but also can leave too much bitterness. Processing such tea requires great skills and special techniques. Like leaves oxidation / fermentation in wooden boxes. Tea Master that have made our Dianhong created amazing variety of flavors while keeping astringency and bitterness under control.
Season - Spring
Processing - Fully Handmade
Elevation - Around 2000m
Picking - One bud and one leaf