Pine Needles

Pine Needles opens with a clean, spring-fresh rush that feels like mountain air in the cup. This is Yunnan green tea shaped into fine “pine needle” strands for clarity. The feature is precision hand-frying and straight pressing. The advantage is a bright, silky liquor without bite. The outcome is effortless pleasure from first sip to last. Picked in early spring, our March 2025 harvest captures that brief window when buds are tight, sweet, and full of amino acids. Expect chestnut warmth, a light savory hum, and a cooling, meadowy finish that stays composed across a long session. If you love a refined daily cup that still feels special, this is the green to reach for.

Craft

The shape follows Song Zhen, a needle style named for its slender look. On first mention, think “Song Zhen” as a classic Chinese needle shape, pressed straight for purity. Leaves from a local hybrid tea plant variety—large-leaf assamica crossed with Chang Ye Bai Hao—are withered briefly, then hand-fried in small woks to stop browning (the heat step that keeps the tea green). A light roll aligns the leaf fibers. After a short rest, the strands are dried and pressed so each finishes slim, taut, and gleaming silver-green. This sequence protects sweet chestnut notes and gentle umami while keeping the finish clean. It also aids consistency from cup to cup. The work is small batch and hands-on. You’ll see it in the uniform needles and taste it in the poised, silky glide. Production is naturally limited because the early spring window is short and the shaping is meticulous.

Place

Pine Needles comes from Doufuzhai in Mengku, Lincang—ridge-and-valley country where cool breezes, misty mornings, and quick-draining red and sandy-loam soils favor tender buds. This growing environment (soil, altitude, climate) shapes taste by slowing growth and concentrating sugars and amino acids. Gardens here sit around 1 800 m, with nearby hamlets rising toward 2 000 m. The day–night swing intensifies aroma while preserving softness. Mid-age bushes dominate, with pockets of older trees that add quiet depth. In the cup, that place reads as bright green-yellow liquor, sweet chestnut first, then a greener, bamboo-like lift. The aftertaste is cool and meadowy, never harsh. You get the clarity of mountain Yunnan green tea with a gentle, lingering sweetness that invites another pour.

Character

Brightness leads. Texture follows. The liquor feels thick yet buoyant, coating the mouth without dryness. First impressions lean chestnut and light umami, then settle into greener sweetness as the session unfolds. Straight pressing helps the aroma hold steady while keeping edges smooth. The local hybrid tea plant variety is chosen for aroma and texture, which show as a supple body and a quiet, refreshing finish. Across multiple infusions the profile stays organized and calm. Nutty tones give way to fresher greens, yet that signature cooling line remains. This is Mengku’s craft heritage in modern form: tidy shape, vivid scent, and a silky, composed cup of Yunnan green tea. Enjoy it now while the spring character is at its most lively.

FAQ

What does “Song Zhen” mean for the cup?
It refers to the needle shape. Straight pressing focuses aroma and helps keep flavor clean and bright, emphasizing chestnut notes and a smooth, cooling finish.

How is this different from pan-flat styles like Longjing?
Needle shaping preserves a taller, more aromatic profile with a silkier glide. Flat-pressed greens lean to toastier grain; this leans to chestnut, fresh greens, and calm umami.

Which tea plant variety is used here?
A local hybrid—large-leaf assamica crossed with Chang Ye Bai Hao—valued for aroma retention and supple texture, well suited to high-altitude Yunnan green tea.