Liu Bao 2010 in a Woven Basket, Aged Tea — 100 g

Liu Bao 2010 is an aged dark tea from Guangxi province, packed in a small woven basket. Liu Bao was once the cheapest tea around — Malaysian tin-mine owners bought it by the sack for workers facing three shifts back to back. Years later it has become a vintage, expensive and collectible tea.

Liu Bao is almost always sold unpressed, which makes it far harder to slip low-grade material into. Traditionally the leaf was left to finish fermenting in woven baskets — hence the custom of packing it into small gift baskets filled with selected dark leaf.

Tasting notes

• Pine needles, moss, damp earth
• Beetroot, wood smoke
• Sea air, roasted nuts
• Caramel and pepper in the finish

2010 harvest, loose leaf in a basket. Luxury grade — a fine gift and a tea for long evening sittings.