Chinese green tea enriched with the fragrance of jasmine flowers has been a favorite since the Sung Dynasty. Dragon Phoenix Pearl gets its name from the visual imagery of tea bushes “climbing” the hillsides like a dragon coming out of the water.
The tea is picked in April/May and processed by hand by rolling each leaf and a bud into tiny pearl sized balls. Once rolled, the balls of tea are wrapped in silk mesh and dried by fire to set the form. The tea is then held until August/September when the finest jasmine blossoms are in bloom.
The jasmine flowers are picked before noon and set aside until evening when the petals begin to open in the cool night air. Once open, the “marrying” of the jasmine to the tea happens in two applications after which the jasmine petals are removed.
It’s among the more expensive of the Chinese green teas but well worth the cost. Enjoy.
Tags: Chinese green tea, Chinese tea, gourmet tea, Green Tea