Description
Dhara Artisanal Green – A Forest-Friendly Green Tea from North Thailand
Forest-friendly green tea from Monsoon Teas’ “Dhara” line
The green tea from Monsoon Teas’ “Dhara” line is part of the specialist provider’s range of naturally cultivated teas. Therefore, Dhara Artisanal Green first of all is a green tea from forest- and climate-friendly cultivation. As such, it comes from “assamica” tea trees native to northern Thailand, thriving in their natural biodiverse environments.
“Artisanal” in turn means that this green tea – as is typical for small tea producers in Northern Thailand – is mainly processed by hand. This alreaday begins with the picking. It is obvious that due to the inaccessibility and nature of the “tea gardens”, which are hardly recognizable as such, and their distance from the processing site, the effort involved is very high compared to conventional monoculture cultivation. In return, due to the highly diverse natural input in the (forest) soil, such “wild” teas are particularly rich in taste and active substances. Accordingly, they reward tea drinkers with a potential for numerous infusions.
Preparation
In the West, it is often said that green tea from large-leaved tea tree varieties tend to show bitter tastes. In fact, this perception has its origin in the factual inadequacy of western preparation standards for such green teas. Forest-friendly green tea should therefore preferably be prepared “Gong Fu style”, in a series of (at least) 3-4 infusions. Accordingly, we recommend dosing 2.5 grams of tea leaves on 100ml water of approx. 80°C and an infusion period of 1-1.5 minutes for a first infusion. Tastewise, the liquor boosts a variety of light, floral-sweet notes, soon spreading from the gum to all levels of perception.
Subsequently, a second infusion at the same water temperature does with an infusion period of approx. 1/2 minute only. And even a third infusion with parameters 90°C/1 minute still brings the complex, individual character of Dhara Artisanal Green to full expression. Those eager to to benefit beyond this from the rich active ingredient content of this green tea from the forests of the Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, keep going… With sparkling hot water and infusion times greater 2 minutes Dhara Artisanal Green has even a lot more to give. However, this is also where the bitters – appreciated by some tea lovers not only for their health benefits – inevitably come into play.
Forest-Friendly Teas from Northern Thailand @ Siam Tea Shop
With the launch of its line of forest-friendly tea, Monsoon Tea, Northern Thailand, is setting new standards in the realm of eco-friendly tea cultivation. To this end, the concept focuses on tea from seed-grown tea trees, thriving in their natural environments as integral parts of a healthy intact ecosystem. In particular here, this means the subtropical rainforest that is typical for north Thailand in all its green biodiversity. “Tea gardens” in these terms are no longer tea gardens as we know them. Instead, they are natural to a degree that allows only the experienced botanist’s eye to recognize them as tea gardens at all.
tea gardens that are only recognizable as such for the experienced botanist’s eye…
At the same time, the project under the spiritual leadership of agro-ecology visionary Kenneth Rimdahl proves that delicious teas of all categories can be made from leaves of naturally growing tea trees. At this, he draws both on northern Thailand’s wealth of native wild tea trees and existing skills among local hill tribes. The spice in the soup, however, is combining these basics with China’s millennia-old knowledge and the most modern insights of tea processing. Because only where pure nature meets the highest level of craftsmanship is where the very best becomes possible that the world of tea has to offer!
The Sampler – for limited time only!
We owe it to my longstanding good relationship to Kenneth and Monsoon Teas that I can offer you these treasures now at Siam Tea Shop, too. However, the sampler with all 7 Treasures – Forest-Friendly Tea from North Thailand – will only be available for a short period. After that, all 7 teas will be available as regular parts of my offer of Teas from North Thailand as well as of my Biodiversi-TEA shop category. Accordingly, here and now is the time and place to try all 7 teas in the economic sample box!
“7 Teasures”
Tea from Climate- and Forest-Friendly Cultivation
– Northern Thailand –
To this end, the box contains 10 – 15 grams of each of the following teas:
1. Dhara Artisanal Green Tea
A green tea (1+2) from the forests of Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
2. Dhara Black Tea
A black tea (1+2) from the forests of Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
3. Dhara White Moonlight Tea
A white tea (1+2) from the forests of Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
4. Lanna Oolong Tea
An Oolong Tea (2+1) from the forests of Amphoe Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand…
5. Lahu Black Tea
A black tea (1+2) from the forests of Amphoe Fang, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
6. Lahu Yellow Gelber Tee
A yellow tea (2+1) from the forests of Amphoe Fang, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
7. Dhara Golden Tips Black Tea
A black tea (1+1) from the forests of Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand…
Colin Brace –
As I explore the world of artisan teas that Thomas has collected here, one thing I’m learning is that they tend to be a lot subtler than commercial-grade teas. Those typical vacuum-packed Taiwanese oolongs tend to have big, even exaggerated flavours that jump right out at you, presumably due to the industrial processes involved. They also tend to release their flavour quickly, within a couple of infusions. This Dhara Green is different: a very round and balanced tea, with subtle vegetable and floral notes that slowly reveal themselves. A third infusion still had lots of character. Reminds me a good Bi Lo Chun. I look forward to exploring this one further, along with the other Thai forest teas presented here.