Ruby Red

Sale price Price $18.00 USD Regular price

Taiwanese Black Tea

Surrounded by tall Areca palm trees, the Puli tea region of central Taiwan is a short drive away from the Sun Moon Lake. This lush terroir is home to some of Taiwan's best black teas.

With cooling notes of peppermint and eucalyptus, spicy undertones of clove, and a floral frangipani aroma, our Ruby Red is a true Nantou gem. If you haven't tasted it before, this tea will have you questioning your entire notion of black tea. Infusing a clear, coppery gold liquor, it's an exciting and complex tea that we love to drink in the summer because of its refreshing qualities.

Ruby Red - also referred to as Sun Moon Black, Red Jade, or #18 - is made from the Hong Yu #18 cultivar: A hybrid between a native Taiwanese tea variety and an Assamica varietal from Burma. The resulting leaf has a distinct curvy shape and produces a black tea that is loved for its hallmark cooling and minty qualities.

We had the pleasure of meeting a 3rd generation tea maker named Hank Kuo in November 2019. He graciously showed us around his family's factory and farm, and gave us a memorable tea cupping experience. His passion for tea was extremely evident then and still is in all our communications.

We've selected one of his highest grade teas, handpicked and made in small-batches, resulting in an elegant, light and invigorating tea. A delicate take on the much-loved Ruby tea.

While the summer harvest (June) is more balanced with cacao and floral notes, we find the winter harvest (November) more aromatic, with pronounced cooling tones of peppermint and eucalyptus.

For a ruby-infused fall mocktail, check out our Persimmon Tea-Collins recipe!

Tea Specs

PICKED November 2022 (Winter Harvest)

ORIGIN Puli, Nantou, Taiwan | The Kuo Family

LEAF Hongyu #18 Cultivar | 1 bud 2-3 leaves

CRAFT Handpicked, withered, rolled (strip style) & dried

NOTES Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Frangipani, Clove, Cacao

BENEFITS Energy and focus

CAFFEINE Yes

Brew Instructions

We recommend brewing in a Gaiwan for this tea, but it can also be enjoyed Western style.

Gongfu Brew (Gaiwan): 5g | 150ml | 90°C | 40 sec | +10 sec for additional brews | Can steep ~ 6 times

Western Brew (Mug / Teapot): 3g (1.5 Tbsp) | 350ml | 90°C | 4 min | + 1 min for additional brews | Can steep ~ 3 times

Cold-Brew (Pitcher): 12g | 750ml | Room temp | 8 hours in fridge | Strain & Serve

Food pairings: Pairs well with fresh pineapple slices (read more here)

Farm Story

Hank is a 3rd generation tea maker in Puli, Taiwan. His grandfather, Mr. Kuo Shaosan, started the business back in 1939 after discovering a large-leaved Shan varietal in Northern Thailand and planting it in Taiwan. Their black tea was renowned for exceptional quality and had been enjoyed widely. Unfortunately, due to the impact of competitive imports, the factory had to shut its doors in the 80's.

Fast forward to 2011 - Hank decided to leave his city life and return to Puli with a vision of bringing his grandfather's tea factory back to life. He's been successfully running the business ever since, bringing the art of black tea and his family's legacy back to Nantou county. Although tea-making methods have evolved over the decades, he still preserves many of the original vintage equipment as an ode to his grandfather.

Inspired by the world of black tea, Hank also spent time in Darjeeling studying their tea production methods. With a preference towards lighter, more aromatic teas, Hank's teas continue to be influenced by this style.

Your Tea Moments

Trust me, give it a shot

I ordered this tea sorta unsure of what to expect. But it did indeed challenge all my expectations of what a black tea is. The best way to describe it is this is a perfect summer tea. It’s got a complex flavor profile that doesn’t get boring and progresses nicely across a session. It’s light, but also robust, warm and spiced, but also cooling. It may seem like those things are incompatible but trust me they are not. It’s fantastic. I’m not usually a fan of peppermint or cooling mouthfeel but I took a risk here and I'm so glad I did. It’s completely changed my mind. You’ll understand from the first time you open the bag and smell the dry leaves, and the impressive aromatics transfer beautifully to the teacup. I’d be surprised if I don’t have to order a few more times before the summer is over.

Where Warmth and Cool Complexities Meet

The midsummer evening heat meets a midnight cold front as dew sits atop supple blades of grass. The scene is lit by the amber glow of string lights and the warmth of good company. An air of chest-opening eucalyptus, a spice of conversation peppered with wild woods, an experience that lasts hours into the early morning - the spell of this Ruby Red feels like a dinner party with a new, yet at the same time, familiar friend.

Abstract, I know - but this curation by Mona evokes this mental picture as this tea's complexity lingers. A beautiful representation and standard everyone should experience!

Stellar

I had the opportunity to sample this wonderful tea after ordering the Spring Baozhong. I was surprised by it's dynamic taste, every sip feels like something new. When paired with the cheeses and snacks I often eat when chilling out with tea, I noticed that this tea seems to go well with everything accenting something new each time. It's true, I'm not really an expert at tea-tasting but I definitely didn't expect it nor have I had something quite like this. Give it a try for yourself.

Party in a cup

If you want something more than typical black tea you have to try this Ruby Red. I was hit by a wave of honeysuckle, then followed by a hint of pepper & spice and rounded off with cooling minty sensation. This tea puts you in such an upbeat mood, perfect for the gloomy winter months ahead.