Nannuo Sun-Dried Red (曬乾紅茶, Shài Gān Hóng Chá, "Sun-Dried Red Tea") - This tea is made from the big leaf varietal of the Yunnan tea plant that is used to make Pu'er. It differs in process from Pu'er and most process of red tea in that it is never cooked. Instead the fresh leaves are rolled and massaged, breaking the cell walls and releasing the enzyme polyphenol oxidase which catalyzes the oxidation of the leaves. The tea leaves are massaged between one and three times over the course of the day and left in the shade to rest in between. By nightfall the green leaves have turned brick red. The oxidation gives this tea its refreshingly light astringency and its deep, sweet woody character. This tea was our introduction into the world of Shài Gān Hóng Chá 曬乾紅茶 ("Sun Dried Red Teas"). The juicy freshness of this uncooked red makes it a great starter red tea for folks just beginning their red tea journey or who might be unaccustomed to the astringency of small-leaf, cooked red teas.
3 Reviews
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Nannuo Sun-Dried Red
For some reason, I had a bias against black/red tea. My notion, was that full oxidation homogenized the flavor of a given tea, much in the same way a dark roast does to coffee. From the first smell and sip of this tea, already, I could tell this was not the case. The bright, woody, fruit-forward flavors and aroma of this tea, in some way, reminded me of a tomato, perhaps that of a sun-dried tomato. Which should be of no surprise, as this is a sun-dried tea. One can pull out a really fruity, sweet, subtle taste with a cooler, less active pour, especially on earlier steepings, or get a more savory, woody, sun-kissed taste with a hotter, active steep. Black teas I've had do give you the best approximation of a coffee caffeine high. This was not the case for this Sun-Dried red, as the energy it imparts is far more subtle. I would recommend this for periods of quiet study or contemplation. At such a reasonable price point, I believe this tea easily earns its five stars.
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Nannuo Sun-Dried Red
I'd swear I could taste the sunshine! This started out fiery and invigorating, and mellowed into warm comfort with further steepings. Smells reminded us of unsweetened Southern black tea and I loved the sweetness that came through more as we kept drinking.
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Red Tea
Amazing red tea. A little more subtle than red Tara.