About this tea

Sun-Dried Red Tea (Shaihong) is the original way of producing red tea using the Sun’s natural energy for drying. This method predates the modern and more widespread practice of oven drying red tea. The slow rate of natural drying creates a uniquely sweet fermentation taste and aromatic profile that only the Sun’s natural UV light can provide. The sun-dried red tea keeps the living character of tea like Pu’er tea because the temperature of sun-drying is not as high as that of the oven machine baking that thoroughly stops the enzyme activity. Just like Pu’er it is good for immediate drinking as well as aging and enjoying over time. There are more baking and caramelization notes found in oven-dried red tea and more fermented fruity, multi-floral and nuanced notes in sun-dried tea. This batch from Doi Pu Muen in the Mae Ai District of Northern Thailand is extremely rich and almost chewy or gelatinous in its infusion but has no astringency or bitterness. The strength, energy and flavor are that of the original tea essence. In 1979 HM King Rama IX of Thailand designated Pu Muen as a “tea village” and encouraged tea cultivation to replace drug crops and enhance the local Lahu tribe’s incomes and agricultural activities.