We were able to secure just 2kg of this rare selection so do not hesitate to try it while it lasts! Made from tea cultivars from Japan and Taiwan, this unusual partially oxidized tea is a result of creative experimentation by Jun Chiyabari Estate. The leaves are plucked and processed on full moon nights, hence it known as "Moondrop" tea. This rare and exquisite Himalayan Moondrop is difficult to fit into the traditional categories of tea: not a black tea because its level of oxidation is even lesser than a first flush, which is already very light for a black tea; not technically a 'oolong' as its rolling is not as extensive as that expected of a oolong. None-the-less we've categorized this as an oolong as it is most 'oolong-like', with floral notes and sugar cane sweetness, and a biscuit note from the light roasting.  The leaves have a lightly twisted and curled form, dark, deep browns or olive green in colour with a lightly roasted fruity sweet aroma. The cup imparts a medium body and smooth mouthfeel, bright, pure and fragrant flavours giving a brisk mineral quality and deliciously fruity flavours coupled with and biscuity notes, also little to no astringency.
Jun Chiyabari’s tea gardens are located at 6,000 to 6,500 feet in the ‘hills’ around Hile, a typical Himalaya hill-town not far from Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) to the north and Sikkim and Darjeeling to the east. The physical beauty of this estate is matched by the caring spirit of it's operation, which is founded in meaningfully providing for the community as well as the estate workers. Jun Chiyabari's core philosophy includes investment education, equalized pay for women and men, and promoting women to supervisory positions (women make up 80% of Jun Chiyabari's workforce). One can feel good about consuming a tea where the same amount of love and care went into it's people, as into the leaf that steeps in your cup!