Temple of the Sun

In the ancient story of the Phoenix, it is said that as this mythical creature neared the end of its life, it would travel to the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis, Egypt and build a nest made of fragrant wood, resin and spices atop the temple.  On its final day, as the first rays of sun touched the Temple, the nest would transform into a pyre, consuming the Phoenix in flames and from the ashes would arise the new Phoenix, born again.  

So, before you start rolling your eyes about how "boring" Honey Orchid Phoenix oolong has become and that "it doesn't taste like it used to", take a moment to think back on how likely it was your gateway into the world of Phoenix oolong.  When you had it for that first time, the world was set ablaze.  Well, what changed?   

Many of today's Honey Orchid oolongs tend to be heavily (some might say over) roasted.  While this can produce intense aromas, it is often at the expense of tamping down its traditional stone fruit and orchid flavor profile, leaving it to taste round, vegetal and frankly uninspiring.

With Temple of the Sun, our Honey Orchid Phoenix, you can set aside those concerns, as it strikes a balance between tradition and modernity. Roasted for one round, this tea starts with an unmistakable burst of stonefruit before unfolding into so much more. 

Successive steeps set the palate ablaze, in lasting waves of Desert Dawn nectarine, nutmeg and amber maple syrup, transporting the drinker through the looking glass and into a world seen anew, as if waking from the dream for the first time, yet again.  

Teamaker - Mater Guo