Purple IPA

Purple IPA — Spring 2022

Picked in late March from wild-growing Camellia Assamica Dehongensis trees in Yunnan’s tropical southwest, this red tea is made entirely from purple buds. The leaves were slow-wilted for 48 hours — longer than usual — allowing the bold tannins to soften without losing their depth.

The result is a layered, full-bodied tea with firm bitterness and bright acidity. You might taste hops, plum skin, rosewood, and tarragon in the top notes; followed by cedar bark, burnt sugar, and underripe berries in the finish. Complex, structured, and not for the faint-hearted — this is a tea that leans into bitterness and finishes dry. One for fans of negronis, hoppy ales, and other bold profiles.

Tastes like
Hops, plum skin, rosewood, tarragon^(Top);
Cedar bark, burnt sugar, underripe berries^(Base);

Brewing
5g tea / 100ml water / 90–95°C
Steep for 30–45 sec. Re-steep several times. Adjust to taste.