Product Overview
Mo Gan Black is from Mo Gan Mountain in Zhejiang Province. Mount Mogan or Moganshan is a mountain located in Deqing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, 60 kilometers from the provincial capital Hangzhou and 200 km from Shanghai. It is part of the Moganshan National Park and at its base is the small town of Moganshan.
According to Chinese legend, in the Spring and Autumn period of 770- 476 BC, China’s most talented swordsmith Ganjiang, arrived in the mountains. It was here that he cast and forged a pair of special swords on the demand of the Emperor of Wu. Gan’s wife was called Moye, hence the name Mogan Mountains and the main tourist attraction Sword Pond.
Made from the same leaf plantings as the yellow tea in the area this leaf is among the small-leafed group of eastern China black teas. Only the top buds are collected with the top two or three leaves. Once plucked it is hand separated to select only the most premium leaves. After an elaborate fermentation process, the color changes from green to a deep dark brown, almost black color. The leaf is slender, the whole leaf, and beautiful to look at. It has a delicate turn that twists nicely in a graceful arc.
Because of the incredible terroir of the area, the growing conditions are superb and this tea reflects that. It produces a bright amber liquor that has a light, toasty flavor. Light and low in caffeine, it develops a smooth cup. It also adds some notes of sour fruits, very fruity and sweet in taste. Rich in taste with a balanced mouth feel. There is pleasant minerality present throughout the taste and this continues to the aftertaste. The finish has some pleasant tannins with a touch of dried plum. Try a steaming hot cup of Mo Gan Black in the afternoon and you will discover a special pleasure that could easily become habit-forming.
Brewing guide: The water used to steep this tea should be at the boiling point, 212F (100ºC). Use about 2 teaspoons (3 grams) of tea leaves for about every 5 ounces (150 milliliters) of water. A steeping time of about 3-5 minutes with more or less time is recommended depending on the desired concentration.