Lovely Leaves: The World’s Most Exotic Teas

Lovely Leaves: The World’s Most Exotic Teas
(Sergey Norkov/Unsplash)
Bill Lindsey
3/5/2022
Updated:
3/5/2022
In the many years since tea leaves fell into Chinese Emperor Shennong’s cup of hot water in 2727 BC, this beverage has become second only to water in worldwide consumption. Though tea was once used as currency, we prefer to drink it.

Thank You, Cicadas

Tea Source Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea, Taiwan
$12.99 for 4 ounces at TeaSource.com
(Courtesy of Tea Source)
(Courtesy of Tea Source)
Deep in the Pinglin district of Taiwan, every summer, tiny green leafhoppers—a cousin to cicadas—arrive to munch on these Tea Source tea leaves. Their bites initiate a unique chemical reaction, which, combined with the region’s soil and ideal growing conditions, results in a tea with a light body, a dark plum sweetness, and an aroma similar to spiced honey.

Taste the Himalayas

Nepal Tea Club 
$25 for 2 samples per month at NepalTeaLLC.com
(Courtesy of Nepal Tea Club)
(Courtesy of Nepal Tea Club)
Formed to increase awareness of and access to teas produced by family farms in eastern Nepal, this club sends members a featured tea every month, plus an exclusive, first-taste micro-lot tea, with enough to brew a total of 40 to 50 cups. A tea bush is also named after each member.

The Champagne of Tea

Makaibari Silver Tips Imperial Tea, Darjeeling
$30 for 50 grams at Makaibari.com
(Courtesy of Makaibari)
(Courtesy of Makaibari)
Produced for Queen Elizabeth II by the world’s first tea factory, the patented production method takes place at the foot of the Himalayan mountains under a full moon to ensure maximum moisture and flavor. Two leaves and one bud are selected from each bush to create the world’s most awarded organic Darjeeling tea.

Healthy Goodness

Art of Tea Tali’s Masala Chai
$20 for 4 ounces at ArtofTea.com
(Courtesy of Art of Tea)
(Courtesy of Art of Tea)
The intoxicating aroma is second only to the pleasure experienced by a sip of this blend of organic Assam tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and other spices. Beyond the sensory delights, masala chai is said to be a source of antioxidants and can aid digestion.

A Family Legacy

Nio Teas Gyokuro Sasa Hime, Japan
$41 for 100 grams at NioTeas.com
(Courtesy of Nio Teas)
(Courtesy of Nio Teas)
When Mr. Sakamoto took over his family’s tea farm in Kagoshima Prefecture, he went 100 percent organic. He specializes in gyokuro, grown using a proprietary fertilizer of composted soybeans and sedimentary rock and shaded for three weeks before harvest, for a savory, umami flavor and a natural sweetness that delivers a smooth finish.

Kyoto’s Finest

Ippodo Tea Co. Hosen, Japan
$26 for 80 grams at IppodoTea.com
(Courtesy of Ippodo)
(Courtesy of Ippodo)

Ippodo, a family-run Kyoto tea company since 1717, suggests this sencha for those who are new to their teas. Made from leaves grown in Kyoto that are steamed rather than roasted, to preserve their color and flavor, the blend delivers a delightful aroma; the perfect balance of natural sweetness, umami, and astringency; and a mellow aftertaste.

Bill Lindsey is an award-winning writer based in South Florida. He covers real estate, automobiles, timepieces, boats, and travel topics.
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