Ban Tian Yao, also known as "Halfway to Heaven," is one of the "Four Famous Teas" (Si Da Ming Cong) of the Wuyi Mountains. This Special Grade (Te Ji) selection is renowned for its elusive, ever-changing flavor profile and its unique origin story involving a sparrow-hawk dropping tea seeds onto the high cliffs.
Product Specifications
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Name: Ban Tian Yao (Vertical Box Set)
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Grade: Special Grade (Te Ji)
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Net Weight: 108g (12 individual 9g boxes)
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Aroma Profile: Strong Flavor (Nong Xiang) / Medium-Roasted
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Origin: Wuyi Mountains, Fujian, China
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Shelf Life: Five Years
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Packaging: Vertical gift box (32 x 9 x 6 cm) containing 12 independent small boxes for single-session brewing.
Sensory Profile
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Etymology: The tea is named "Ban Tian Yao" (Sparrow-hawk in mid-air) because legends say a bird brought the seeds to the cliffs. It was later nicknamed "Ban Tian Yao" (Enchantress/Demon in mid-air) due to its unpredictable and mesmerizing flavor changes.
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Aroma: Intense and multifaceted fragrance that is described as "enchanting" and floral.
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Liquor: Bright and orange-red in color.
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Palate: Rich, thick, and mellow with a complex, silky texture. The flavor evolves significantly across different infusions, offering a deep and lingering sweetness.
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Endurance: Maintains its vibrant character through at least seven infusions.
Brewing & Storage
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Water Temperature: 100°C (212°F) is required to release the dense herbal soul and silken texture of the leaves.
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Storage Conditions: Store in a clean, well-ventilated, dry, and dark environment free from odors.
Heritage and Lineage
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1980s Origins: In 1983, the Wuyi Tea Science Research Institute successfully achieved the asexual reproduction of the original Da Hong Pao mother bushes. By 1985, the first commercialized packaged Da Hong Pao was launched under the "Wuyi" (武夷) brand.
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1990 Landmark: The "Ba San Cha Ren" packaging was officially born, featuring the iconic calligraphy of tea grandmaster Chen Chuan.
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Modern Stewardship: Wuyi Star acquired the historic "Wuyi" trademark in 2003, ensuring the orthodox techniques of the Tea Research Institute were preserved and brought into the modern era of standardized production.
Sourcing and Organic Assurance
Produced by Wuyi Star Tea Co., Ltd., the leaves are sourced from over 1,235 acres of proprietary tea gardens, including the prestigious Jiulongshan site. This product maintains global compliance through a rigorous "Four-Way" organic certification:
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USDA Organic (USA)
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EU Organic (Europe)
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JAS Organic (Japan)
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China Organic Product