Not Your Typical New Year’s Resolution: 5 Rare Teas to Try in 2019

As 2018 comes to an end and we begin to prepare ourselves for the New Year, we often find ourselves thinking about what we are going to do in 2019 to make this year better than the last. If you’re like us, you’re probably doing the same thing. This year, instead of doing the typical “drink more water” or “join a gym” resolutions, we thought it would be fun to make 2019 the year of tea. Whether you’re already a tea fan or are just getting into the world of tea, these 5 rare teas will help expand your horizons.

Songluo Full

Made near Keemun near the city of Huangshan in southern Anhui Province, our  Songluo Full tea shares similar flavors with our  Songluo Broken tea. However, they handle the leaves a bit differently. For this tea, the leaves are rolled into little curls that are quite shiny. The oxidation is slow and controlled so that the lovely flavors develop over hours. To get the shiny curls, high temperatures are required during the firing, yet the producers have managed to avoid any burnt or smoky flavors.  

Kagoshima Yutaka Midori

When we received the sample for this tea we were hesitant at first since we already have such a popular tea from  Kagoshima, but it turned out to be delicious and unique. Our  Kagoshima Yutaka Midori tea is one of the best Senchas from the Kagoshima area in southern Japan. This is a lightly steamed tea made from Yutaka Midori cultivar. Yutaka Midori means intensely green and this tea delivers. The light steaming gives it a sweet flavor.

New England Teamaker Hops

Grown near our factory in Millerton, New York, these  New England Teamaker Hops create a tea that is light in color and subtle in floral flavors. Not a beer fan? Don’t worry. This particular type of hops is not bitter like the ones used in an IPA. This is a great tisane for those that enjoy floral teas, especially those that are caffeine free.

Pure Wild Honeybush

Our  Pure Wild Honeybush tea is harvested northeast of Cape Town in South Africa. Like with tea, the wild bush is cut and this accelerates the process of oxidation, changing the color of the leaves. Its flavors are like a dark honey and produce a gorgeous color and beautiful aroma when steeped. We recommend adding a small amount of honey to your cup for a touch of enhanced sweetness.

African Antlers

African Antlers is truly a one-of-a-kind white tea from Malawi. Made primarily of twigs and buds, this brew is delicious and woody with subtle flavors that are reminiscent of lightly cooked peaches. Thrown off by the twigs and buds? Don’t let them scare you. This uniquely flavorful tea is a must-try for the experienced tea drinker.

There’s more where this came from. Check out some of our favorite posts below to learn more about the world of tea, discover more interesting tea blends and try unique tea recipes:

• What is Yaupon Tea?
• The Harneys Invite You to Dinner: 5 Recipes With Tea
• Guide to Tea: Tea Terms