Anji Bai Cha

Pre Rain Organic Anji Bai Cha is picked right at the start of spring, between 5th and 10th of April 2011.  Vivacious and exuberant flavours combine spring floral scents, sweet sappiness, and a lush texture.

JingFinest and Rarest
RegionChina, Zhejiang
TypeGreen
TasteRefreshing, Smooth
Time of DayLunchtime, Afternoon
LevelConnoisseur
RangeOrganic, Fair Trade, Loose Tea

Fair Trade Jasmine Pearls Green Tea      EU Soil Association Organic

This is one of our favourite green teas. It is very important to prepare it correctly to get the best flavour - take a large amount of leaf 4-5g and infuse for 3-4 minutes in 180-250ml of very cool water of less than 70°C.

*Based on 3g per serving, infused 3 times.

Certified organic by the Soil Association. 

Fair Trade certified by IMO Switzerland.

Appearance: Neat, nipped bud and leaf in pine fresh green with deftly curled edges and lively appearance

Infusion: Pale but sustained silver-green liquor

Aroma: Complex and intriguing aromas in which soft spring flowers meet gentle tropical fruits

Taste: Vivacious and exuberant flavours combine sweet sappiness with lush textures and discreet floral top notes

Infuse: 1 tbsp per cup; water temperature 70°C: infuse 3-4 mins

  • My New Best Friend

    mr dorian ralph, 25 Jul 10

    5 stars rating
    I've never been a fan of green teas, Be they Chinese or Japanese I have in the past never managed to get a flavour out of them that i have liked.
    Recently i decided i would try and actually find a green tea i liked, aside from the different health benefits over say puerh or oolong, I also wanted something a little different; a different colour in my pallete so to speak.

    The first decent green tea i tried was a dragons well, under the assumption that as this is pretty much the definitive green tea if i don't like this i'm going to give up on green.

    Needless to say I didn't like it.
    I tried brewing it at 80, 70, 60 degrees c and still the flavour was in my mind just meaty and highly unpleasent (actually tuna fish was closer to the flavour)

    On my last order with Jing i had purchased one of their amazing 2003 wild puerh bings (see review)and i also thought i would give this tea a go, I said to myself if i don't like this im never ever going to waste money on green tea, and i shall put its whole popularity down to some kind of emperor's new clothes syndrome.

    So in my slightly chubbier than normal though not unsightly hand i had clasped a bag of Jing's finest Anji Bai Cha.

    I opened the bag (not uncommon when wishing to get to a product) I was greeted literally by the Command In Chief of the Aroma Republic.
    I don't think there are words in the english language to explain how exquiste the smell of those dry leaves are, its something slightly tropical, lingering, its just fantastic.

    So you can imagine my deep dispair (maybe annoyance) when i brewed this at 70 degrees to find a cup of tea that only slightly varied from my arch nemesis Dragon Well.

    I concede it wasn't as nutty, nor as tunary, but alas it did have elements i found unwholesome in a tea.

    disillusioned i wandered the house in a semi daze, trying to fathom exactly what went wrong.
    Surely (i said to myself) Anji Bai cha was sent a savior, an ambassador for green tea, the green tea which every other green tea wants to be when it grows up.

    As if in answer to my deep and perplexing self questioning i suddenly spied the beautiful jing tea pack.
    60 degrees they say!

    Ah says I, website says 70 bag says 60, the bag i think is talking my language.

    So same thing again, this time a 60 degree brew.

    My heart sank, flavour still more or less the same, it didn't really have any elements that the fantastical dry leaf smell gave.

    About a week passed and i had something of a revelation, what if i try brewing it under 50 degrees?
    Insane they will call me, this is surely meant only for Gyokuro teas.

    So third time round, not really expecting this to work.
    By now i feel a little like a muggle who has gotten hold of Harry Potter's spell book, I don't really expect to make any magic, but what the hell im here now.

    So in goes the water just under 5o degrees celcius, I leave it for the customery 3 minutes.

    YESSSSSS
    Finally that tropical fruit taste is here! and whats more? it is the dominant flavour!
    None of this hint, nonsence, this is a full on centre stage flavour which although gentle on the tongue is strong in the mix.
    Finally a green tea I can enjoy.

    After more fuffing around and tinkering i've worked out the best method for me.

    I take about 2.5g of the Anji, add to my beautifully functional Jing Small gong fu teapot,
    add water of around 50 degrees and wait 3 mins.

    Next infusion same as before but 4 mins.

    The water should be cool enough so that you can actually hold the glass teapot in your hands without it burning you ( i am not endorsing this method atall, please do not do as i do lol " legal bit done")

    All in all i have to say this is a wonderful if not delicate tea.
    If like me you have never been fond of long jing dont fret, try anji.

    As a final word of warning i cannot stress highly enough how temperature critical this tea is.

    Gyokoru has a wider latitude of error than Anji!

    Brew it right though and its glorious.

    Thanks for reading.

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Packaging

Tea bags setOur loose teas are packaged in gold resealable ziplock bags. Wherever possible we use gas or vacuum packing to ensure that our teas arrive with you as fresh as possible. Be sure to reseal your bags and store them in cool, dry conditions away from cooking smells or high temperatures.

Our teaware is packaged in boxes that are specially designed to protect the pieces inside during delivery.

Our gift sets are packaged in beautiful gold gift boxes, with ample protection for delivery.

Delivery

UK Delivery

Free delivery by Royal Mail First Class for all orders over £25.00 (excl VAT) in the UK.
Free delivery by 24 Hour Next Working Day Courier for all orders over £50.00 (excl VAT) in the UK.

Royal Mail First Class deliveries from £2.00
48 Hour Courier - £4.15 
24 Hour Next Working Day Courier - £5.00

International Deliveries 

Royal Mail International Priority deliveries start from £2.90
Royal Mail International Priority Signed For for international orders over £50.00 (excl VAT).

Daily Deadlines

Order before 3pm GMT on weekdays (except UK public holidays) for same day despatch.
Orders placed after 3pm GMT will be despatched on the next working day

Full details on our delivery options and charges.

Produced in China, Zhejiang

Zhejiang Province, China

Zhejiang Province, China