This Tea Cooperative is totally organic (UE, JAS and US certified), and is based around JinLongPing Village in Xuan'En County, Enshi autonomous region, Hubei Province. Their green tea is a product of excellent craftsmanship and a touch of magic. It has distinct, sweet, refreshing, soothing Pomelo scent added to a great Xuan'En Green tea, similar in tone to the famous and historical Wujiatai Tribute Cha, which was selected only as Imperial Tea during the Ming Dynasty. This astounding combination is created with the intercropping of pomelo trees, which grow abundant in the area, amidst the tea plantations.
The cooperative is organized in groups of four families who work together in common tea plantations and are responsible for harvest. Harvest criteria are quite strict: one bud one leaf generally are expected, and absolutely no fertilizers other than strictly organic manure or mulching to increase and keep plant and soil fertility. They then deliver the tea by themselves to the central tea factory for processing. The families are payed about twice as much than the average price for the green leaves. Each household then gets bonuses of up to 4000 yuan per year for sending their children to schools and universities, so they can improve their conditions and be resilient.
We strongly encourage these alternative economic models based on solidarity and mutual support and we are honored to work with them. We believe high value tea is inseparable from social conditions of production and respect for nature.
Xuan'en Pomelo-scented Green Tea by JinLongPin Cooperative
This tea is locally brewed directly in glass cups, but in fact you can steep it in earthenware jugs as well as porcelain, as you prefer. The sweet is pronounced, vibrant, crisp, intense, so you can brew just 4 grams or a small pinch each time. Temperature: 95 °C.