Saicho Sparkling Tea - Jasmine (200ml) 0% Abv
Saicho 氣泡茶 - 茉莉花茶 (200ml) 不含酒精

Country/Region: Bottled in UK

Background: Charlie and Natalie (husband and wife), received their PhDs in Food Science and have always had a passion for food and drink. Unfortunately, Natalie can’t drink alcohol (she turns as red as a tomato with even the smallest sip) and as such, she hasn’t been able to fully enjoy the food and wine pairings that Charlie so loves.

Charlie and Natalie got an idea to create a non-alcoholic drink with ingredients that possessed the same sort of complexity and heritage that wine does. Then, they enthusiastically threw themselves into the pain staking, 2-year process of sampling and experimentation. Having tested hundreds of different varieties from around the world they eventually settled on their first 3 teas.

Winemaking: Sparkling Tea (Non-Alcoholic), Cold-brewed for twenty-four hours to extract the most delicate and complex flavours from the tea leaves, Saicho teas are then finely balanced with a hint of sweetness and a dash of acidity.

This green tea is grown in the mountains of Fuding in Fujian province, China at an altitude of approximately 500m. The tea leaves (Fuding Big White Leaf cultivar) are harvested by hand in early spring, dried and stored until the summer when the jasmine flowers are in bloom. The flowers are picked at midday when they are tightly closed against the sun. The blossoms are laid on top of the tea leaves and as they dry and cool, the flowers open, releasing their fragrant scent onto the highly absorbent tea leaves. The flowers are then removed by hand in the morning. The tea is blended with new jasmine flowers over several nights until the aroma is perfectly balanced. Finally, the tea is dried to remove any moisture from the tea leaves.

Tasting note: Jasmine Bubble Tea is made with Fujian green tea as its base, featuring notes of apple sorbet, lychee and vanilla. This jasmine tea is the sweetest of the range; with its fresh floral aroma and smooth texture, it is perfect for pairing with desserts.

Food Pairing: Served chilled to between six and eight degrees, pairs well with spicy Asian salads or elderflower jellies. It also goes well with ripe, soft cheeses, and with spice and deep fried stuff, eg, Korean chicken wings, salty, crispy roasted pork belly.