Beautiful ancient tree maocha from Y Tý.
 
Y Tý is a beautiful tea area in Lào Cai province right on the border with China. There are two villages that have old tea trees here, one is inhabited by H’Mông people and the other Dao.
 
This tea is from the H’Mông village. Although only a couple kilometers apart, this area has more clay rich soil and more humid days than the Dao village. The leaves are also darker than the trees in the other area. Tea trees in Y Tý have especially big and beautiful leaves.
 
The owner of one of these gardens said that in the past, there were tea trees covering the entire hillside but weren’t harvested until only the past 10-20 years. The locals chopped many of these trees down but luckily there are still some that survived and many of which were left to grow naturally.
 
This tea brews up into a rich dark golden brew. I get cane sugar, herbal medicine, deep forest with floral/ fruity notes. This tea also features a pleasant minerality with heavy sweetness, medium bitterness and astringency. Quick deep and layered huigan and strong relaxing qi.
 
Great longevity, set aside an hour if possible to fully enjoy this one.
 
I have also had some really nice sessions blending the H'Mông village and Dao village teas together.
 
Season: April/ early May 2025
Picking Standard: 1 bud, 2-3 leaves
Region: Y Tý, Lào Cai
Elevation: 1600m