31 August 2022

In the Chinese calendar, now is the time to gather your loved ones and celebrate togetherness while gazing at the moon. This time represents fullness and reunion. What a wonderful way to spend time in the early autumn. The exact dates are relative to the moon, and this year Chinese Full Moon Festival falls on the 29th of September. One of the most popular activities is to enjoy traditional mooncakes, gather for dinner, give gifts and, of course, share tea. 

We’ve chosen two of our most popular Chinese teas and put together some quick suggestions on how to enjoy them with food this coming festival, or anytime.

Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea Mooncake Pairing

Is there a tea more romantic than Jasmine Silver Needle? The traditional way in which this spring-plucked tea is scented is magical. Whole jasmine blooms are laid in thick carpets, mingled with the tea leaves. As darkness falls and the moon rises, the jasmine unfurls and releases its perfume, imparting this gift to the tea leaves. This process is repeated for up to five nights to ensure clarity of flavour. Jasmine tea is a popular choice alongside food, its soft, sweet flavour cutting through rich foods, with its florality adding a refreshing high note, particularly with rice. Serving suggestions include:

  • Lotus seed or salted yolk mooncakes 
  • Traditional Chinese crab dishes 
  • Pomegranate, pomelo, pears and other seasonal fruits

Platinum Imperial Yunnan Golden Bud Black Tea Mooncake Pairing

Our Platinum Imperial Yunnan Golden Bud is a very rare, pure bud black tea plucked Pre Qing Ming in the cooler month of February from established bushes in Mojiang Town, Yunnan. Processed carefully to maintain subtleties of flavour, the leaf is beautifully intact: long, golden and almost sticky to the touch, covered in fine hairs. Aromas are malty and sweet with floral perfume, as well as notes of steamed aubergine. The superbly golden infusion has notes of caramelised wheat and cocoa butter. A complex tea with full body and a thick, coating mouthfeel.  This tea makes the perfect accompaniment to: 

  • Red bean mooncakes 
  • Seasonal dishes that include pumpkin, mushrooms, chestnuts and persimmon 
  • Rich meat-based dishes with pork or duck