Sweet Dew Drop

Sweet Dew Drop is a Wild Tree Purple "Sweet Ya Bao" considered a rare, unique white tea made from the buds of wild "Ye Sheng" purple tea trees, and is known for its complex, fruity, and floral flavor profile. It is often described as unlike any other tea due to its distinct taste notes.

Flavor Profile

The tea is celebrated for a complex and unique profile that changes with steeping and age.

• Prominent notes: The most common descriptors are watermelon juice, rose (in both taste and smell), and various reviewers also note dill weed.
• Other flavors: Additional notes mentioned by reviewers include citrus, honeysuckle, honeydew melon, cucumber, pear cider, cardamom, green apple, pine, and a very occasional mild cinnamon or spicy kick.
• Mouthfeel and aftertaste: The tea has a juicy, smooth, and sometimes velvety texture with a long-lasting, sweet aftertaste.
• Complexity: The flavor profile can shift, with earlier infusions being more sweet and floral, and later ones revealing more vegetal or sour notes.

Characteristics and Origin

• Varietal: It is a special "sweet" sub-type of the Purple "Ye Sheng" wild tree tea, which is the most rare of all.
• Harvest: The tea grows wild in the Jinggu County of Simao, harvested in mid-February to early March. The buds display a purple/magenta tinge.
• Processing: The processing is minimal, involving brief withering and hot dry air exposure to halt oxidation, similar to some white tea methods.
• Longevity: Reviewers praise the tea for its complexity and ability to handle many, many steeps.
• Aging Potential: As a white tea, it can age well, which can transform potential bitterness into a fruitier sweetness over time.

Brewing Recommendations

This tea is versatile and works well with different brewing methods:

• Hot Brewing: It can be brewed Gongfu style using a gaiwan with lower temperature water (around 175°F-185°F or 79°C-85°C) and short infusions, increasing time with subsequent steeps.
• Cold Brewing: It is highly recommended for cold brewing, which brings out the delicate watermelon and rose aromas even more.