JASMINE BAI MU DAN

Jasmine Bai Mu Dan (a.k.a. Jasmine Wheels) is hand rolled and hand tied. The method used to make these special Jasmine tea wheels is as follows:

* They begin with specially selected tealeaves (Leaves that are long and mottled white),

* The leaves are then tied together

* The leaves are then carefully and painstakingly flattened to for a wheel shape.

* The tea is steamed and dried with fresh Jasmine flowers, which impart the delicate flavour and aroma.

The dry leaf appearance of the tea balls is tending towards a mottled and white appearance, indicating very early new season tea and extremely careful plucking and manufacture. (New season tea of this quality is rare and only available for 2-3 weeks each year!) When you place a Jasmine wheel in your cup you will see the leaves begin to uncurl and transform. Once the infusion time is complete the tea looks like a hedgehog - a total spiked ball.

In China these Jasmine Wheels - Bai Mu Dan - are highly prized and given as special gifts:

- On the birth of a son - The shape signifies a well-rounded life and as the boy grows into man fullness to life emerges (you can see this as this tea infuses from a round wheel to a multi-faceted ball).

- Upon a marriage - The two halves of the wheel signify the coming together of two special people and the desire that their life attains fullness and a long life together.

- To highly esteemed guests and friends - the cost of these special teas signifies respect and the desire to remain a friend in the fullness of life.

- For health, long life and luck - the benefits of the consumption of green tea have been well known for centuries and the cost of this special tea is said to impart good luck and the attainment of great wealth.