We’ve carried the classic, twisted leaf version of these wild-grown leaves since the earliest days of Song. Yunnan is home to groves of ancient, native tea trees - some centuries old - with deep root structures that allow for high absorption of nutrients and minerals from the soil, creating teas with incredible depth of character and rich flavor. Last year we began exploring alternative crafting methods for this tea and introduced Wild Tree Yunnan White, a light, bright, air-dried tea made from the buds of these rouge plants. This year, we’ve added a second variation to this bud-only harvest: Tippy Wild Tree Yunnan Red.

A bright, unexpected twist on a Song classic, this tea demonstrates the breadth and range of flavor these venerable tea trees can achieve. The buds of Tippy Wild Tree are quite arresting, resembling the overlapping scales of a pine cone when fully oxidized - a fraternal twin to the green hued buds of Wild Tree Yunnan White.

While picked at the same time, from the same plants, Tippy and White differ in post production. White is air dried shortly after harvest, while Tippy undergoes hours of controlled withering and oxidation, coaxing forth richer, sweeter qualities from the tea, resplendent with intriguing fruit and herbal tasting notes, and a smooth, lasting finish.