Grown on ancient trees in the misty mountains of northern Vietnam, snow shan tea is one of the rarest wild teas in the world. These venerable tea trees, some centuries old, are har- vested by farmers using traditional hand-plucking methods. The result is a tea rich in flavour, with notes of honey and malt. The white downy buds and large leaves give it a dis- tinctive appearance and its light, floral taste is perfect for summer. Snow shan tea trees grow at high altitudes, often above 3,937ft, thriving in cool mountain air. The slower growth at this altitude allows the leaves to develop richer antioxidants and more complex flavours. Locals often describe snow shan as the 'cloud tea' due to the mist that blankets the trees. In Vietnam, the trees are living treasures - some are thought to be more than 300 years old, producing only a few kilos of tea each season.

How to serve
Brew at 85°C for three minutes, re-infusing several times to experience the complexity of flavour.