White Monkey Tea
White Monkey Tea (Adagio)
White Monkey Tea, despite its name is actually a variety of green tea produced in the Taimu Mountains in the Fujian Province of China. This eastern seaboard province has a fine climate and a history of tea production to rival many of its compatriots. In appearance this tea lives up to the color of its name. The leaves are large, white tipped and covered in a fine down of hair. The area enjoys plentiful rainfall and temperate zone, coupled with a landscape that is well-suited to elevated tea plant cultivation. Tea grows best at altitude, and the cream of the crop is often grown at the highest of terraces and hand selected and picked by highly experienced female pickers.
The province is seen to be a repository of China’s considerable tea history and species, with over 330 hybrids currently grown in these coastal slopes. Fujian Province is the home of the world renowned oolong teas, along with the finest of green teas; their Tea Masters’ wealth of knowledge and experience in this tea growing province has ensured that all the teas produced in this area are of excellent stock and are processed in a refined manner.
Green teas are very high in a number of beneficial substances; famous for high levels of antioxidants, green teas add another hardy warrior to the body’s defenses against disease. Polyphenols, another beneficial biochemical group of compounds are also present in large amounts in green tea. Cancer reducing agents in green tea are supposed to be responsible for the fact that Japanese men, 75% of whom smoke cigarettes, have a much lower than average rate of esophageal and other digestive cancers. This flies in the face of world statistics and their only common denominator is that they drink lots of green tea. Research is still going on to see if other cancers can be treated with green tea extracts.
White monkey Tea has been carefully oven cured to bring out its full aromatic body and intricate flavor. With an earthy but fulsome taste, this fine green tea is a testament to quality hybridization and careful fermentation. There are no hints of bitterness even after the multiple infusions that can be made with these young leaves. It is best prepared at 175oF and not allowed to over-heat; White Monkey Tea can start your day, or finish the afternoon in refreshing luxury.
White Monkey tea is only available from Adagio Teas.
Score: 7/10
