Enshi Yulu
Tasting notes: balsamic vinegar, unripe pineapple, cotton candy
Enshi Yulu is a rare and exquisite green tea composed of unripe buds and the youngest tea leaves, handpicked from the high-altitude gardens of Wuling Mountain in Hubei, China. The slender, needle-shaped leaves, covered in silvery fur, evoke pine needles and are processed with a traditional steaming method (Zhēng qīng) that dates back to the Tang dynasty. This method preserves the tea’s vibrant green hue, its delicate texture, and a refreshing umami flavor.
Tea character
Leaf aroma
raw pastry dough, lotus flowers, courgette
Cup aroma
weet steamed greens, wild orchids, fresh spring rain
Flavor
balsamic vinegar, unripe pineapple, cotton candy
Tea story
Grown in the misty Wuling Mountains of Hubei, China, Enshi Yulu (恩施玉露), or "Jade Dew from Enshi," is a rare steamed green tea with a centuries-old heritage. Unlike most Chinese green teas, which are pan-fired, Enshi Yulu undergoes the Zhēng Qīng (steaming) method, a technique dating back to the Tang Dynasty. This process preserves the tea’s emerald-green vibrancy, enhances its umami depth, and lends it a remarkably smooth finish.
The tea is harvested in early spring, with expert hands selecting only the youngest, silvery buds and tender leaves. These high-altitude gardens—situated at 800-1200m—are shrouded in mist, which naturally shades the tea plants and elevates amino acid content, creating a rich, brothy sweetness. The result is a cup that bridges the elegance of Japanese gyokuro with the refined freshness of Chinese green teas.
Tea Region | Wuling Mountains, Enshi, Hubei, China
Tea tree | Camellia sinensis sinensis
Cultivar | Enshi Qunti Zhong (恩施群体种)
Harvest | Early Spring, 2024
Picking & processing | Handpicked, steamed (Zhēng Qīng), rolled, and dried
Spinach and ricotta ravioli with sage butter
The creamy, slightly nutty filling mirrors the tea’s subtle sweetness, while the butter and sage add a layer of warmth and depth, amplifying Enshi Yulu’s savory undertones.
Grilled asparagus with sesame dressing
The smoky-charred exterior of grilled asparagus enhances the tea’s vegetal depth, while the nutty sesame dressing draws out its silky, brothy mouthfeel.
White peach sorbet
The sorbet’s fruity, floral brightness enhances the tea’s soft vegetal character, while its icy texture provides a refreshing contrast to the warm umami finish.
Yuzu honey madeleines
The tea’s steamed umami notes contrast beautifully with the bright citrus aroma of yuzu, while the madeleine’s buttery crumb softens Enshi Yulu’s gentle astringency.
