Only the dried leaves and buds of a special species of laurel (Actinodaphne cupularis) are used for this fine and rare herbal tea. This type of evergreen tree has thick, deep green leaves and is native to the highland foothills of the Himalayas in the Chinese province of Sichuan.
Our highest grade lao ying is made from the freshest buds of wild-growing laurel trees that thrive in the forests of the Himalayan Mountains. Because the trees grow in a protected area, the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers is forbidden.
The buds are carefully hand-picked by local families. Only the freshest buds that have not yet opened are selected for the tea. After harvest, the buds are gently steamed for 5 minutes and then air-dried.
Single Origin:
This tea is exclusively sourced from wild-growing laurels in their native habitat in the Sichuan Himalayas.