Gan Zao Ye

On the slopes of Laoshan a plant called Ziziphus Jujuba (or Wild Jujube) grows wild and unmanaged. Each spring the He Family forages and hand-processes it just like a traditional green tea, with withering, firing and curling. The final result is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea that is packed with as much flavor complexity (and antioxidants) as a traditional tea.

The first sips are similar to genmaicha (green tea mixed with roasted, popped brown rice). As it steeps out it shows off some of its complexity with notes of coconut, goji berry, cardamom, and eucalyptus, and then finishes with a sweet, refreshing aftertaste.