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Ai Lao Red — Spring 2025
Grown at almost 2,000 metres in the Ai Lao Mountains in Zhenyuan, Yunnan, this high-elevation red tea is made from the first flush of spring. The leaves are lightly oxidised using a Taiwanese-influenced style of processing, giving the tea some of the richness of a red tea while preserving a brighter, more aromatic character.~
The first steeps are fruit-forward, with dried plum, longan, and a gentle woody sweetness. As the leaves open, honey and warm floral notes begin to emerge, while a clean mineral quality runs underneath. The liquor is smooth and rounded, with enough structure to keep the sweetness from becoming heavy and a lingering dried-fruit finish.
Bright and aromatic for a red tea, but still warming and full in the cup. It sits somewhere between the depth of a traditional Yunnan red and the lifted character of an oolong.
Tastes like
Dried plum, longan, sweet wood (Top);
Honey, baked florals, mineral edge (Base);
Brewing
5g tea / 100ml water / 90–95°C
Steep for 30–60 sec. Re-steep several times. Shorter steeps emphasise the fruit and aromatics, while longer infusions bring out more body and warmth.
In the cup
Ai Lao Red has a warm, steady character with a brighter edge than many fully oxidised red teas. The caffeine provides a noticeable lift, while the rounded texture and sweetness make it an easy tea to settle into over several infusions.
A good afternoon tea when you want something warming and substantial without the heavier character of a darker red tea.
Size:
35g
How to brew
Our favourite way to brew tea. Use a gaiwan or small teapot and steep the leaves for around 30-45 seconds. Re-steep several times, adjusting the time as you go. Each infusion will bring out something slightly different from the leaves.
For a larger pot or a single longer brew, use around 1g of tea per 100ml of water. Steep for 3-5 minutes, then strain. Increase the leaf or brewing time if you prefer a stronger cup.
The simplest way to brew. Add the leaves directly to your mug, fill with hot water and start drinking once the leaves have opened and begun to settle. When you're around two-thirds of the way through, top up with more hot water and keep going.
