ORGANIC LU MU DAN WHEEL

Lu Mu Dan, (green tea wheels), were designed to represent the wheel of the Buddha, one of the religion's oldest and most important symbols. For Buddhists, the wheel symbolizes many important ideals. The wheel can refer to the cyclical nature of Samsara, the process by which all beings are born, die and reborn. It can also depict the perfect nature of the Dharma, the teachings and lessons of the Buddha. Individual portions of the wheel are also highly symbolic - the hub represents discipline, the core of meditative practice and the rim represents Samadhi, the mindfulness that holds the universe together. Evidently for Buddhists, the wheel is a highly potent symbol. They are so important that throughout the Buddhist world wheels adorn everything from the rooftops of temples to the covers of holy books, fabrics, paintings and religious statues.

At some point in the history of Buddhism - no one is sure exactly when since records have been lost over the centuries - a pious artisan developed a tea in the shape of this noble symbol. The result was Lu Mu Dan, which is still produced in Zhejiang province according to ancient technique. The process requires a competent hand and much patience. Tea makers begin by selecting exceptionally well-graded, full green leaves, steaming them, and then tying them into a wheel with string before drying. Perfection is key - wheels that are broken are discarded and blended in with lower tea grades for market.

We believe this organic Lu Mu Dan is in many ways a perfect metaphor for the Buddhist ideals mentioned above. For example, like the cycle of Samsara, Lu Mu Dan's organic leaves follow a cycle of processing, infusing and composting to help nourish other plants. A freshly brewed cup can also make an excellent meditative companion and, as any tea lover knows, does indeed hold the universe together. To conclude, we'd like to share one more thing, "the Lu Mu Dan ritual". In some remote villages of Zhejiang it is customary to turn the Lu Mu Dan wheel in your hands three times before brewing - once for hearing the truth, once for understanding the truth, and once again for internalizing the truth. Follow those steps and we can just about guarantee enlightenment -and an incredible tea experience.