En Shi Yu Lu
Imperial Grade Pest.Free

Imperial Grade 99 P.

SKU
3861
Premium tea from one of the most renowned tea farms in Enshi. The Enshi Grand Canyon is located at an elevation of 1,100m, and is one of the most beautiful and pristine natural areas in China. Pesticide-free farming. 40g.
 
  • Steamed (Yulu, catechin preservation), not pan-roasted
  • Expertly hand-rolled (shourou 手揉), to break open cells
  • Hand-picked (shoucai 手採) and sorted
  • High natural selenium concentration of all teas (typical of the Enshi region)
  • Highly bioavailable, free forms of selenium (amino acids and polysaccharides)
  • Alkaline, mineral
  • Newly bred cultivar for the region: zhenong 117
 
Character Very savoury, full-bodied, mineral, complex, slightly smoky, delicately sweet, fruity, with notes of forest honey
Tea Garden A well-known family-owned farm in Enshi that is highly reputed among Chinese tea connoisseurs
Terroir Enshi, Tong Pen Shui, Hubei, China
Harvest Ming Qian (1st spring harvest), end of March 2024, hand-picked
Cultivar Zhenong 117 (100%)
Elevation 1,100m above sea level
Steaming Stop of oxidation through deep steaming, ca. 60 seconds (Zheng Qing 蒸青)
Macrobiotic/TCM Balanced yin/yang
Processing Method 6-10 hours withering after harvest, then like Japanese sencha: steaming, hand-rolling, drying
Cultivation The highest quality grade from one of the most prestigious tea farms in Enshi, cultivated without chemical pesticides
Grade 99/100 p. (Enshi Yulu category); Imperial Grade
€20.90
40g

Delivery : 1–3 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. shipping

SKU
3861
€522.50 / 1kg
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Tea Farm

The privately run tea farm is nestled in a secluded, idyllic natural setting high above the picturesque Enshi Gorge in Hubei. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious estates in the region.

The cultivation area is situated well above the city of Enshi at an altitude of 1,100m above sea level, on fertile soil and surrounded by forest. The region is largely untouched by industry and is instead defined by the stunning En Shi Grand Canyon – a river gorge, much of which is a protected national park. Its breathtaking scenery and pure mountain air draw many visitors each year. The soil in this region also contains one of the world’s largest natural and pure deposits of selenium, which is reflected in the high concentration of this essential trace element found in the tea grown there.

Character

Flavour

Original Enshi Yulu green teas are a rarity. In China, these teas are ranked among the top 10 most respected teas, but they are hardly known or available in the West. Most foreign markets outside of China often only offer low quality Enshi Yulu, or poor imitations from other regions. The traditional production methods (steaming and rolling), as well as the extremely selenium-rich soil in Enshi, give this tea its special character.

Our Enshi Yulu is directly sourced from one of the best terroirs in the region that benefits from an elevation of 1,100m. Only the young buds and finest leaves of the 1st spring harvest are selected for this Imperial Grade. This tea impresses with its full-bodied and balanced bouquet. The extremely high content of selenium lends the tea a strongly mineral, slightly smoky, and striking character. Via steaming, the catechins and bitter substances of the tea leaves are retained and more easily steep into the tea as a result of leaf rolling. The leaves are expertly rolled by hand in a meticulous process that speaks for the quality of the tea production. A modern and optimised cultivar is further grown to emphasize the nutty chestnut aroma and long, sweet aftertaste. This notable yulu tea is a perfect accompaniment to cakes and other desserts.

Leaf

Light green, fine needles with silvery white buds

Cup

Light jade green

Chinese Green Tea

Chinese green tea is distinctive on account of the roasting of the leaves (青鍋 Qing Gu = Kill Green) after harvest, which halts the oxidation process and lends the tea its typical nutty/buttery flavour. There are many different styles and production methods of Chinese green teas which vary by form, colour and flavour. The place of origin is a deciding factor, as many Chinese green teas are rooted in highly individualised local tea cultures.

Laboratory Tests

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements.

Yoshi En

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation & Processing

Combined with a climate that’s ideal for tea cultivation, the conditions here are perfect for producing top-quality teas. The average annual temperature is around 16°C with an average humidity of 70–80%, and the region enjoys approximately 240 frost-free days per year. With around 1,370 hours of sunshine and 1,500 mm of rainfall annually, the area has a humid subtropical climate. This stimulating environment, with its large temperature differences between day and night, abundant sunshine, and frequent mist, encourages the development of a high nutrient content in the leaves.

Tea harvesting is carried out carefully by hand, exclusively on sunny days and often only well after sunrise to avoid any lingering morning dew on the leaves. After picking, the leaves are withered for 6 to 10 hours in well-ventilated bamboo baskets. This is followed by a brief steaming, lasting around 60 seconds, to halt oxidation. The leaves are then rapidly cooled to prevent overheating during the next stage. A gentle first tossing under hot air makes the leaves more pliable, after which they are carefully hand-rolled. A final rolling process gives the fine tea needles their even shape. Finally, the leaves are dried to around 5% residual moisture and then sorted according to quality.

Single Origin

This tea is exclusively sourced from the above mentioned tea farm in Enshi.  Sourced directly from the tea farmer.

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped tsp. per 100-300ml (70°C) water. Steep for 2 minutes. Suitable for several infusions.

For a tea rich in minerals and trace elements, use 80°C water and steep for 2-3 minutes.

Packaging

High quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination.

Recommended Teapot

The ideal teapot for the traditional preparation of Enshi Yulu is a yixing teapot made from brown or black clay. Alternatively, a black tokoname kyusu with a ceramic sieve or a glass teapot with an integrated sieve can be used, so long as the leaves are able to freely drift around inside the pot.

Recommended Storage

Ideally store in a quality tea caddy made from cherry tree bark (wooden, kabazaiku chazutsu) or an airtight, double-coated metal tin.

Test results

The purity of our formulas is important to us. This is why we have both our raw ingredients as well as our finished products extensively tested by independent laboratories to confirm purity and active ingredient content. Here, we have provided the results of some of the tests carried out on this product.

See tests

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