Home Black Tea Taiwan

Ruby Black Tea
Super Premium Pest.Free

Name: Ruby Black Tea Super Premium
SKU: 5526
Price: 16.90 EUR
Availability: InStock

Super Premium 97 P.

SKU

5526

Deliciously sweet Ruby Red (Hong Yu 紅玉) black tea, world-renowned for its unique honey-cinnamon aroma and intense, full-bodied flavor. From a renowned farm directly from the top terroir in Nantou, Taiwan, famous for its oolongs and black teas. 100% natural cultivation free from pesticides.

The Ruby #18 cultivar (Hong Yu) is world famous for the unique, intense sweetness
Ideal growing conditions at over 600m altitude in Nantou, Taiwan's famous tea province
100% natural cultivation without pesticides

Character	Raisins, grapes, sweet potatoes, "Ruby-Sweet", honey, full-bodied, juicy, viscous
Tea Garden	Renowned tea farm in Nantou, Taiwan's top terroir for black tea and oolong
Terroir	Yu Chi, Nantou, Taiwan
Harvest	2023 - Summer Harvest, Handpicked
Cultivar	Ruby #18 (also called: Taiwan Tea var. 18, Hong Yu 紅玉, Red Jade)
Elevation	600-800m above sea level
Oxidation/Fermentation	90%, strong oxidation
Shading	none
Processing Method	Orthodox processing. Sun drying (1-2h), indoor withering (20h), rolling (2h), fermentation (2h), final oven drying (120°C, 80min).
Organic Cert.	Cultivation free from pesticides
Grade	97/100 P. (black tea category); Super Premium

In stock

The tea farm is located very close to the famous Sun Moon Lake in Nantou. The area is very idyllic and natural and is generally considered the best for black tea cultivation in all of Taiwan, mainly due to the outstanding soil quality for tea cultivation of the brick-red, slightly acidic soil with excellent drainage. At the same time, it is also the natural origin of Ruby tea. For the cultivation, the tea farm has already renounced the use of all pesticides since 2005, and the isolated location at the foot of Mt. Baiye also excludes the entry of chemicals from the environment.

Flavour

The popular Ruby #18 cultivar was originally created by crossing a native Taiwanese tea variety and a Burmese Irrawaddy (Assam) cultivar. Grown near the famous Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, it is one of Taiwan's most popular black tea cultivars.For many, the first encounter with Ruby black teas is a taste revelation. After drinking it for the first time, it is hard to forget the full-bodied sweetness of the tea that is so characteristic. Next, the sweet flavors of ripe grapes, caramel honey and savory sweet potatoes offer themselves as aromatic reference points. The mouthfeel is very pleasant and the subtle flavor of the tea softens far up to the very top of the palate. Together with the rich full-bodiedness, this Ruby black tea recommends itself as a particularly worthy representative of its kind.

Leaf

Slim, finely twisted tea leaves (Long-Twist Shape). Large leaf variety: the size of a single fresh tea leaf is about 5cm. Very noble, black-dark leaf coloration.

Cup

bright amber (Amber)

Black tea is the most oxidised form of tea. In contrast to green tea, the oxidation of the leaves after harvest and withering is not stopped with heat, but rather further facilitated by intensive rolling of the leaves, which breaks open cell walls and exposes the enzymes responsible for oxidation. Over the course of this process the leaves change from green to black and a full-bodied and broad aroma develops. The cup is often orange or red, which is where the Chinese name for this tea (hong cha, meaning "red tea") comes from.

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.

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

For Ruby Black Tea is used the popular Ruby #18 cultivar (also: Hong Yu), probably the most famous black tea in Taiwan. It is known for its great body and wonderful aromas, including after a good brandy.

The harvest for this tea is done by hand and processed in traditional orthodox production:

1. Hand harvesting around 8am
2. Two-step withering process: 1-2h withering in the sun and 20h indoor withering
3. About 2h rolling around 6am
4. Full fermentation for 3.5h: 1.5h in the rolling machine + 2h resting
5. Oven drying twice: 120°C á 40 minutes.

The tea fields are located at 600-800m in the upper altitude range of Nantou, where the high quality Taiwanese High Mountain Oolongs are also grown. The weather conditions here are a bit more changeable than in the lower altitude growing areas. It is cloudier and there is more precipitation. This is reflected in the delicate flavor of the tea. Due to the slow growth of the plant, the leaves turn out much sweeter, more aromatic and more nutritious. The lowest and highest annual temperatures are 5°C and 34°C, respectively, with an average temperature of 19°C. May to August is the rainy season with an average rainfall of 2934mm.

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped teaspoons per 200-300ml (80-85°C) water. Steep for 2 minutes.

The tea farmer's recommendation for 4 infusions:
Prior to use, preheat the teapot and teacup with hot water.
1. 90°C, 30 seconds
2. 90°C, 20 seconds
3. 90°C, 40 seconds
4. 90°C, 60 seconds

Packaging

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

Recommended Teapot

For the particularly aromatic preparation of Ruby Black Tea, a gaiwan or a Yixing pot is traditionally recommended. Alternatively, a glass teapot with an integrated strainer, in which the tea can float and steep freely is also well suited.

Recommended Storage

For keeping this tea fresh, a tea caddy made from cherry tree bark (solid wood, kabazaiku chazutsu), an airtight, laquered tea caddy or an elegant, handcrafted metal Kaikado tea caddy are ideal storage solutions.

Test results

We find it very important that our teas are pure and produced in a way that respects the environment. For this reason, each one of our teas is tested for pesticide residues by an independent laboratory, the results of which can be found here. Some of our teas are also tested for specific nutritional compounds, in which case the test results are also published here.

Confirmation of analysis

See tests

Ruby Black Tea
Super Premium Pest.Free

Tea Farm