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Mini Toucha
FORMED TEA 50g
GRADE – Mini Toucha (Formed tea)
CAFFEINE/ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Low/Low
Region: Yunnan Province, China
Cup characteristics: Nest shaped compressed green tea. Each nest makes tea for 3. Full bodied with a hit of oak. One of the Yunnan provinces most compelling brews.
Luxury ingredients: Green tea.
£ 3.70
In stock
PRODUCT ID: 554
Description
Mini Toucha: A Compact Delight
Mini Toucha is the smaller sibling of large Toucha pods, offering a unique experience for tea enthusiasts. This variety is crafted from the Yunnan large leaf varietal, Camellia Assamica, and falls under the Pu-erh category. To create these pods, producers steam the processed green leaves and then press them into small, bow-shaped forms. Notably, the labour-intensive process requires each pod to be pressed by hand, ensuring quality and care in every piece.
Aging and Flavour
Like all Pu-erh teas, Mini Toucha ages exceptionally well. In local Yunnan tea shops, for instance, you might find teas aged for 25 years or more! When you infuse a Mini Toucha pod, you’ll immediately notice its mild musty character, which seasoned connoisseurs easily recognize as Yunnan Pu-erh. However, for newcomers, this flavor can be surprising, often evoking the earthy scent of fresh soil. As a result, this unique profile has led some in China to refer to it as “Earth tea.”
Multiple Infusions
Moreover, one of the standout features of Mini Toucha is its ability to be infused multiple times. With each brewing, you’ll discover new subtleties in flavor, much like re-reading a beloved novel or watching a cherished film again. While the fundamental character remains consistent, the nuances shift slightly with each cup. You might notice a subtle mustiness here or a hint of milder sweetness there.
Experience the Brew
So, the next time you brew a pot of Mini Toucha, pay close attention to its evolving flavour profile. Ultimately, this tea represents one of Yunnan Province’s most compelling brews, perfect for those seeking a unique and layered tasting experience. Enjoy the journey of flavours that unfold with every sip!
HOT BREWING METHOD:
Brew one of these delightful little cakes in hot but not boiling water for a couple of minutes. This tea has been composted as part of the production process and because of this it is IMPERATIVE to pour away the first infusion of the leaves. It is possible to re-brew these three or even four times. After that pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 1-5 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Ideal Brewing Temperature: 100ºC/212ºF.
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD
Though we don’t necessarily recommend drinking Mini Tuocha iced, our opinion is that a cooled concentrate works best, as regular-strength brew tends to become watery as the ice melts. So, use the above leaf quantities, but half the water, allow it to cool, then pour it over ice and enjoy! The brew will dilute down to proper strength as the ice melts.
We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today’s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.