Giàng Pằng is a beautiful area in Yên Bái province. You drive up a treacherous dirt road, crossing streams and rocky sections until you reach the village at 1400m. The people living here are of the H’Mông ethnicity. You can see goats and exotic looking chickens and ducks scurrying around the tea tree gardens. This area also produces high quality cinnamon and you can see the cinnamon tree bark sun drying at people’s houses from time to time throughout the year.
 
This tea is made from medium, old and ancient tree material from our friend Lềnh’s family’s gardens that I processed in mid April. It is probably about 70% ancient tree tea leaf.
 
This tea brews up into a rich green golden soup. Vegetal and a bit floral with the characteristic melon/ plum leathery character that is prevalent in teas from Giàng Pằng. Low-medium bitterness and astringency. Nice huigan, medium+ thickness and good longevity.
 
This tea was processed in a "medium" way to keep some rawness for aging potential. It's pretty good to drink now and should age well.
 
200g cake ($0.23/ gram)
 
Season: April 2025
Picking Standard: 1 bud, 2-3 leaves
Region: Giàng Pằng, Yên Bái
Elevation: 1400m