Moonshine

Tea Type: Green/White
Origin: Jasbire Village, Ilam, Nepal
Grower/Producer: Sharad Subba of the Hariyali Cooperative

Nepalese tea farming came about with little influence from neighboring regions' traditions, and as such, this tea is a unique sort of white-green hybrid tea. The choice of leaves for picking is more akin to a white tea, with the downy white hairs on the leaves. But the processing, with minimal oxidization permitted, is closer to that of a green tea. As a result, Moonshine defies some conventions of classification, giving it a unique place in the Steep Valley catalog.

The dry leaves give off the aroma of rose and sweet pea, and as they are heated by the warm ceramic of the gaiwan, they release the scent of warm milk, cooked okra, peas, and warm leafy greens.

The flavor of this tea's liquor is clean, crisp, and floral; notes of green bell pepper, but lacking the bite of the fruit; vegetal, brothy, and slightly creamy in the mouth. 

This tea, in particular, was the last harvest collected before Sharad's tea factory burned down. Sharad himself was hurt in the fire, but his community has come to surround him and support him through what is one of the hardest times. You can read more about his story here.