Acala Tea Co.
Acala "Aether" Jingmai Mountain White Tea (2022)
Acala "Aether" Jingmai Mountain White Tea (2022)
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White tea bricks brew differently than loose leaf white tea. The anticipation of the tea brick opening offers a chance for quiet moments of meditation. The tea's tightly packed whole leaves allow long steepings, multiple brews, and forgive when left to cool, making it the perfect tea for brewing while preoccupied with work or study. The tea's gentle qi (energy) is released over time, providing a clear head for creativity and a kick of wisdom for hours on end.
When enjoyed gong fu cha style in a gaiwan, the tea can be brewed up to 13 times before it is fully opened, and then enjoyed a few more brews after that when the inner-most leaves are finally allowed to release their flavor. One tea wedge is capable of brewing up to 18 times over the course of an afternoon, evening, and continues the next morning.
Tea Specifics
Tea Specifics
Harvest: Spring 2022
Jingmai Mountain, Mangjing Village, Yunnan Province
Elevation: 1200-1500 meters
Cultivar: Camellia sinensis var. Assamica
100g tea brick, wrapped in local Dai handmade paper inside a bamboo leaf shell
White tea contains between 5-50mg of caffeine, depending on a few factors. A tea using just the tips/youngest leaves (like Silver Needle) will contain the most caffeine (because caffeine is a natural pesticide that protects young, vulnerable leaves). Also, caffeine levels decline over time because oxidation and light decay caffeine. Within the first three years, the caffeine levels in white tea start to drop. An aged white tea has caffeine levels that are half that of it's younger counterpart. Thus, an aged white tea that is decades old may not contain much caffeine at all. If you have the willpower to store this young white tea brick for at least seven years, the taste profile to evolve as it ages, like fine wine.
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
Delicate aromatics, light honeydew and pear notes, no astrigency even when cool,
Whole tea leaves ensure the liquor is never astringent. The tightly compression tea leaves will slowly open to expose the yet unbrewed inner leaves, allowing numerous steepings.
Brewing Recommendations
Brewing Recommendations
Serving Size: 4-6g of tea per 100ml purified water
Ideal Brewing Vessel: Porcelain tea pot or gaiwan
Separate: Remove a wedge of tea from the tea brick using a pu'er tea knife. Keep the leaves as whole as possible.
Awaken: Pour 212F water over tea wedge to allow the leaves to awaken for 2-3 minutes before discarding wash.
Steeping: Boil water to 212F and then wait for the water to stop bubbling before pouring the water down the inside of the brewing vessel, not directly on the leaves. Brew for 2-3 minutes, replace the lid, and then pour the liquor into a gong dao bei (fairness pitcher) before apportioning into tea cups. Remove the lid of the brewing vessel to allow the leaves to cool between steepings. Flash brewing in this manner ensures this tea can be brewed up to 10+ times and brewed again the following morning if left overnight.
