Harmony

Harmony is a 2017 traditionally-processed oolong from Li Shan, “Pear Mountain,” in Taiwan. All tea is its environment. As Wu De often says, “The leaf is the tree’s expression of its relationship to its environment.” A healthy environment is a requirement of fine tea, in other words. Grown at almost 2,000 meters above sea level, this beautiful garden is a great place for tea. Full of rich minerals, daily mists and plenty of rain, Harmony comes from a small, artisanal and organic farm. There is a nice biodiversity there with plenty of undergrowth, flowers, insects and wildlife. The altitude also affects the tea, creating a strong uplifting energy and beautiful aroma. This tea is made from Qing Shin, or “Gentle Heart,” varietal trees, which thrive at this altitude. Harmony was masterfully-processed and charcoal-roasted in the traditional way. It then sat for two years to allow the roast to cool down, creating a full-bodied and complex aroma and flavor, without any trace of the roast itself. The ideal roast does not leave any roasted or burnt flavor, but rather brings out the potential of the tea. The quality of oolong tea is as much in the processing as it is in the raw material (terroir and season). Harmony is gorgeous. It is a masterpiece of a Taiwanese oolong made from sustainable tea trees and crafted so well. Each cup is transcendently complex, pulling you in as layer upon layer of fragrance and aroma carry you away.