Crimson Peak, Cold Brew Red Tea

Crimson Peak (Yingde No.9, Organic)

Crimson Peak greets you with the warmth of a rising sun over misty mountains – a deep amber infusion as captivating as its name. This organic red tea offers an inviting first impression, with wisps of honeyed sweetness already unfolding from the cup. Its aroma hints at distant orchards and floral gardens, beckoning you to take that first sip and discover its indulgent brew.

Fun Fact: During the state visit of French President Macron in 2023, President Xi shared a tea ceremony which focused on Yingde No.9 in Guangdong province.

Flavor & Aroma

With each sip, Crimson Peak reveals a symphony of flavors. Rich notes of tropical fruit emerge – hints of lychee and longan lend a naturally sweet, fruity accent to the liquor. These delicate fruit tones are intertwined with undertones of malt and cocoa from the fully oxidized leaves, reminiscent of dark chocolate or baked bread. A gentle floral perfume, like a whisper of rose and orange blossom, wafts from the cup thanks to the tea’s Guangdong heritage (a region famed for its lychee orchards and aromatic flowers). The aroma is at once comforting and sophisticated: sweet yet not overwhelming, layered with a refined honeyed fragrance. As you inhale, you might even detect a subtle citrus high note, brightening the scent and rounding out the bouquet. This complex aromatic profile invites you to pause and breathe deeply before tasting, heightening the anticipation of the first sip.

Mouthfeel

Crimson Peak coats the palate with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. The liquor is medium-bodied, feeling silky and satisfying without any heaviness. There is a soft, rounded quality to the brew – tannins are present (as expected in a red tea) but remarkably gentle, yielding very little astringency. Instead of dryness, you experience a plush texture that glides across the tongue. As the tea cools or as you continue sipping, a light sweetness blooms in the aftertaste, lingering pleasantly. This lasting finish – a signature of high-quality Yingde No.9 leaves – leaves your mouth feeling clean and refreshed, with a subtle echo of caramelized fruit at the end.

Origin & Craft

Sourced from the ancient tea gardens of Yingde, Guangdong Province in southern China, Crimson Peak carries the essence of its origin in every leaf. Yingde’s misty mountains and mineral-rich red soils nurture the Yingde No.9 cultivar, a tea plant known for yielding naturally sweet and aromatic red tea. Grown organically, the leaves are tended with sustainable, chemical-free methods that allow the native ecosystem to impart its magic. One might say the biodiversity of this region – home to nearby lychee fruit trees and wildflowers – contributes to the tea’s nuanced flavor profile in a natural way.

After harvest, the freshly picked leaves are carefully processed– a crucial step that transforms them from green to deep auburn brown. This slow, full oxidation (a defining characteristic of red tea craftsmanship) develops the complex polyphenols responsible for Crimson Peak’s rich taste and mahogany-red hue. In fact, during oxidation, enzymes in the leaves convert simple catechins into theaflavins and thearubigins – compounds that give black tea its bold flavor, coppery color, and smooth mouthfeel. Once oxidation has fully worked its magic, the tea leaves are artfully fired and dried, locking in their sumptuous flavors. The end result is a masterfully crafted red tea that proudly belongs to the Red Tea category, one of the six main types of tea. The character of the Yingde terroir – a gentle subtropical climate with misty mornings – shines through in every sip, gifting Crimson Peak with its inherently sweet, floral-fruity aroma and mellow elegance. Each step of crafting this tea, from the mountainous farm to your cup, reflects a legacy of Chinese tea mastery refined over centuries.

Mood & Experience

Sipping Crimson Peak is a comforting and elevating experience. The first taste fills you with a mellow warmth, as if an old friend has draped a soft quilt over your shoulders. Despite its richness of flavor, this tea carries a humble grace – it doesn’t overwhelm; instead, it gradually unfolds its depth with each sip, inviting a moment of mindful appreciation.

The moderate caffeine content provides a gentle lift in energy, helping you feel alert and focused, while the natural L-theanine in the tea induces a sense of calm. This harmonious duo of caffeine and L-theanine means Crimson Peak can brighten your mood and sharpen your senses, all without the jitters that coffee might bring. The emotional effect is one of balanced invigoration: an uplifted yet tranquil state of mind.

Close your eyes as you drink, and you might imagine the rustle of leaves on a misty Guangdong hillside or the distant sweetness of ripe fruit carried on the breeze. Each cup offers a small, meditative escape – an opportunity to pause the day’s rush and savor a connection to nature and tradition.

Whether enjoyed as a morning ritual to start your day with gentle focus or as a rejuvenating afternoon indulgence, Crimson Peak leaves you feeling centered, refreshed, and quietly inspired.