Heavy Roast Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong

This black from Yunnan, China offers a distinctive drinking experience. This unique black tea offers a robust and sweet foundation, typical of a rich Yunnan black tea with pronounced chocolatey and malty notes. It is exquisitely laced with the distinctive, thick pine smok. It sits in the "Smoky" and "Malty" and "Sweet" flavor families, so expect a cup that leans smoky and malty and sweet.

Aim for water around 90–100 °C (195–212 °F). Western style: steep for 3–5 minutes in a mug or teapot. Gongfu style: use 5 g per 100 ml, 15–30 s infusions for multiple short steeps — this way you can taste how the flavor evolves. Most black teas can handle a full rolling boil, so don't overthink the water temperature.

This black is grown in Yunnan, China and is made from the assamica varietal cultivar. This particular batch comes from the 2022 harvest. After picking, the leaves received a heavy roast, which shapes the final flavor.