This is a tea from Y Tý (pronounced similar to E.T [phone home]) a mountainous commune within Bát Xát district in Lào Cai province in northern Vietnam bordering Yunnan. Populated by a community of Red Dao people who live either side of the border. Harvested from wild trees in ancient forests at elevations of 2000+ metres the leaves are processed similar to sheng Pu’er via light pan-drying (an incomplote shāqīng), and then sun drying by an artisan tea-maker. The leaf material and processing lead this to be much much closer to sheng than other green teas, thus it is categorized as such, however since it is not from the political Pu’er region (though closely bordering it and likely sharing much of the terroir and genetic qualities) I will just call it sheng or Vietnamese sheng.

It has typical sheng notes with a small amount of initial smokiness that’s not present in later infusions, it has present but not lasting astringency and a slightly citrusy taste and a brisk mouthfeel as well as pleasant herbal aromas.

Only available in 50g bags.