HOT ! No. 162, Lei Kou Chai (Lightning Struck Tree)

An exceptionally evocative single-varietal dan cong (phoenix) wu long, Lei Kou Chai unfurls to reveal voluptuous floral notes suggestive of jasmine and orchid, delicate stone fruit while a gentle presence of ginger flower lingers in the air. The profile has an alluring, slightly mysterious quality that is rather seductive and unusual. The name references a tree that lightning could not kill, the replanting of saplings from an original tree and the subsequent Lei Kou Chai cultivar.

The organic leaves are harvested by hand in April, sun dried, left to rest, shaken and this process is repeated six times. Then they are stir-fried, upon which then they are twisted and kneaded, re-fermented twice, and fired twice. Finally they are oxidized to 30%, then roasted repeatedly until the sweet, honey and floral aroma is brought forth. It is known as “Nong Xiang” style. This tea is floral, with notes of stone fruit, and deeply aromatic which makes it highly desirable.

We source this wonderful tea from small, self-owned garden in Guangdong, China an area famous for it’s spectacular Feng Huang Dan Cong (Phoenix) oolong. Their estate is organic, and occasionally visited by wild elephants, which only adds to the allure. 

Lei Kou Chai should be steeped multiple times to enjoy the full expression of its leaves.

Origin: Feng Huang Shan, Chao Zhou, Guangdong Province, China  

Elevation: 800-900 m., Organic