The name derives from the color of this tea’s liquor, and to the high oxidization level that lands this tea somewhere between an oolong and a red. Like its predecessor, Ruby Variation #2, crafted from a variation of the green heart cultivar, is named for the beautiful red hue of the tea’s liqueur. But the similarities end there. A change of garden and a twist on craftsmanship have transformed this tea from something rich and fruity, to something incredibly floral and light. A different tea altogether, yet entirely appealing in its own right.

Grown on Shan Lin Xi, the leaves of this red tea are rolled, and rolled teas are nearly always a visual indication of oolong teas in Taiwan. But Ruby Variation #2 transcends this category of tea, moving past the mid oxidation of an oolong and well into the dark, fully oxidized body of a red tea.

The qualities of sweetness and inherent floral notes of the leaves after this extended oxidation process are further crystalized by means of a series of low temperature charcoal roasts. Over several sessions, this process begins to caramelize the sugars of the leaves, accentuating the clean, sweet flavors of the tea.

Brewed, it’s a delightfully bright, high noted tea, balanced in flavors both bold and ephemeral.