2022 Spring First Batch BiLuoChun in SanHsia

This year's spring has a late start in Northern Taiwan. In 2021 and 2021, the second day of harvest were as early as March 4th or 6th. This year, the first day of harvest happened on March 13th! Usually, I would wait for the second day of harvest, because it's a little less expensive and still very good. However, this year, the weather bureau is forecasting a week of rain and clouds. By the time the plantation can be harvested again, I'm afraid that the leaves will have had too much time to grow and loose their concentrated scents. That's why, exceptionally, I've selected this very first batch of BiLuoChun from spring 2022! If you enjoyed the 2021 BiLuoChun, you'll love this year's even more!

I'm glad to be back on the ground, in the tea plantations. And I've brought some pictures so that you can better understand how the tea is made.

As you can see, the leaves are harvested by hand. Yesterday, there weren't many trees left to harvest. That's why there were only 2 people harvesting, an older lady and the owner of the field himself! This shows also that there is a real worker shortage for this delicate and tiring job. 

Behind the farmer, we can see a large bush with light green leaves. This bush is filled with a kind of very fragrant yulan flowers. The scent of these flowers lingers in the air and I can still smell it in the brew of BiLuoChun!

From the picture below, you can see that the son has taken over the processing of the leaves from his father. He has the tough task of drying, stirring the leaves in a room without air conditioning. This detail is very important. With air conditioning, a producer can maintain the same temperature and a low humidity during the whole production season. This allows him to work with a SOP, a Standard Operating Procedure. But if there's no A/C, then the producer can't use a SOP. He has to work with his senses, smelling and feeling the leaves with his nose and hands! That's real gongfu! 

All in all, the farmer only produced 18 pounds of this First Batch BiLuoChun. Enjoy its freshness by ordering it early!