Yabukita OolongThis tea caught us off guardin the best way possible. A Japanese oolong that could almost be mistaken for a Taiwanese one? We didnt hesitate and we bought everything the farmer had. Made from Japans workhorse green tea variety Yabukita, grown in a pesticide free garden, this tea shows just how much potential Japan has for oolong when the craft is right. In fact, the grower went to Taiwan to study traditional oolong processing firsthand, and you can

one slimmer than the other

subtle ripples keep the surface interesting and hint at the dark underlying material

But give it a second look

Warm and fruity

Despite its pedigree

The koji fermentation imparts not only acidity but also a rounded texture

soaking and tempering the material

particularly when paired with matte and natural materials

If you're worried that pretty much every other piece of your teaware will pale beside this stellar gaiwan

But some tea masters continue to explore

evoking the ethereal heights of cumulous clouds on a clear day—but it threatens no inclement weather pouring down

seamlessly blending practicality with artistry