{"title":"Wild Rare Tea","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"manipur-wild-galangal-black-tea","title":"Manipur Wild Galangal Black Tea","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWild black tea naturally scented and then blended with foraged galangal. Featured in Imbibe Magazine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis tea is intriguing as it is absolutely wild! The tea bushes in the forests of Manipur have grown in the wild and naturally for centuries. The galangal in this black tea also grows wild in the forest. Galangal is a rhizome belonging to the same family as ginger and is a culinary spice in south-east Asian cooking. Based on Ayurveda, galangal also has medicinal properties and helps with digestion. The wild galangal used in this tea, is of the lesser galangal variety and has a fennel and licorice flavor instead of the usual ginger and pepper flavors. When it mingles with the woody forest notes of the wild tea leaves, the combination is sublime and gives an immense sense of satisfaction. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe method of infusing the galangal rhizome flavors in the black tea is rigorous and meticulous. Unlike most blending, which is done by mixing dried tea leaves with dried herbs and spices, the blending of the wild galangal black tea is adopted from the method used to infuse flavors of jasmine in Chinese jasmine teas. Fresh galangal rhizomes are blended overnight with fresh wild tea leaves in a basket, separated in the morning, and then the tea leaves alone are sun-dried. The process is then repeated several times to achieve the right flavors and aromas. It has been thought that this method of blending gives a lovely aromatic infusion of flavors. After the tea is naturally scented with fresh galangal, fired galangal chunks are blended in. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","offers":[{"title":"Tin 1.06oz (30g)","offer_id":43142455132392,"sku":"T-15868","price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Refill Pouch 3.53oz (100g)","offer_id":46700945047784,"sku":"R-15868","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/0418\/9672\/files\/Herbs_Kettles_lifestyle_MANIPURWILDGALANGALBLACKTEA_6192.jpg?v=1693204074"},{"product_id":"naga-khalap-tea-smoked-aged-bamboo-wild-tea-2016","title":"Naga Khalap - Phalap Tea","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Enchanting Tale of Naga Khalap Tea: A Journey of Timeless Tradition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Naga tribes inhabit the wild forests of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Ancient wild tea trees of the assamica variety grow naturally in these forests. The Naga folk carefully climb these tea trees to pluck the choicest leaves. These leaves are then pan-fried and pounded into the hollow of a particular type of bamboo. The bamboo is sealed and placed in a makeshift swing over the fireplace. The smoke from the hearth will then naturally smoke the tea in the bamboo. Smoke and age lead to some oxidation of the tea; the older the bamboo tea, the more coveted it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis smoked, aged tea-filled bamboo is fondly called Khalap or Phalap by the locals, which in their native language means “what is this leaf”. The hearth of a Naga household is always burning, and you will usually find a boiling tea kettle over it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ancient practice of making khalap tea is a dying art. We are direct sourcing to avoid imitations, hopefully paying over fair trade prices will keep these khalap teas and the beautiful stories alive. This heritage Naga khalap tea is unique, difficult to find, and a limited edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally this tea is boiled by the Naga tribes in a kettle over a fire, but we prefer steeping it via gongfu style. On steeping, the tea is amber like honey with a mineral texture, good mouthfeel, and medium astringency. The aromas and flavors of a roaring campfire greet you with the first few sips. Intermingled with the smoky notes are earthy notes of manure, hay, camphor, and some hidden fruity sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.herbsandkettles.com\/blogs\/blog\/traditional-indian-tea-phalap-khalap\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead more about the Traditional Indian Tea- Phalap \u0026amp; Khalap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e","brand":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43129590055144,"sku":"L-Naga","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/0418\/9672\/files\/Herbs_Kettles_lifestyle_KHALAP_6427.jpg?v=1693204466"},{"product_id":"manipur-pu-erh-style-sheng-tea","title":"Manipur Pu-erh Style Sheng Tea","description":"We have been able to procure a small selection of spring 2020 sheng pu-erh style tea from Camellia Sinensis var assamica trees that grow in the wild forests of Manipur, location of which is a secret that only a few know of. The tea co-operative who we collaborate with is known for producing the first puerh-style tea in India. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tea liquor has a rich mouthfeel, viscous, mineral texture, sweet with minimal bitterness, mild astringency and lasting aftertaste. The dry leaves have aromas of mushroom and forest floor and after the initial rinse the wet leaves have sweet complex aromas of jaggery, honey, jujube, smoke, baked bread, wood, forest floor and moss. The initial infusion is lovely with notes of honey, jaggery, jujube, wood, camphor, earth and moss. Subsequent infusions continue to have similar sweetness with notes of camphor, charcoal, river silt and mushroom. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","offers":[{"title":"Cake","offer_id":44208205627624,"sku":"L-CAKE","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/0418\/9672\/files\/Herbs_Kettles_lifestyle_ManipurSheng_5646.jpg?v=1693204026"},{"product_id":"mirem-valley-indigenous-foot-rolled-black-tea","title":"Mirem Valley Indigenous Foot Rolled Black Tea","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIndigenous Foot Rolled Black Tea With Beautiful Minerality \u0026amp; Notes of Cocoa and Stone Fruit. For A Tea Connoisseur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe legacy of wild tea still thrives in Mirem Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Families here have long cultivated wild tea trees near their homes, creating small backyard gardens of Camellia assamica–sinensis hybrids. Given Mirem’s location, close to China on one side and Assam on the other, this teas bridges the wild and cultivated worlds beautifully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTea here has always been made for personal use and shared among friends, keeping alive an ancestral connection to the leaf. Foot rolling the leaves to gently bruise them before oxidation, once a daily ritual, is now rare. A few elders still practice it, though hand rolling has largely taken over. This tradition deserves encouragement and recognition as a living heritage of Arunachal’s tea culture. In September 2025, when we first visited Mirem Valley, this tea made by Mrs Tayeng from Mirem Valley, absolutely fueled our passion and we are committed to safeguard this aeons old tradition, and ensure that knowledge is transferred from the elders to the new generation. Enjoy the photos of Mrs Tayeng as freshly handplucked tea leaves, are lain on a bamboo mat and after she cleans her feet carefully with soap and water she rools the tea with her feet using semi circular movements, almost like a dance, a teachnique that was passed on by her ancestors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tea itself is chocolate brown with an aroma of red wine and cacao. On the palate, it has a rich minerality reminiscent of a Wuyi oolong, with notes of stone fruit, cacao, and oak bark, and a lingering, elegant finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tea is for the tea connoisseur who enjoy a good story, the origins of tea and quality. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47823590293736,"sku":"L- Mirem","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/0418\/9672\/files\/MiremValley_Tea_Liquor.jpg?v=1763482460"},{"product_id":"mizoram-indigenous-wild-yellow-tea","title":"Mizoram Indigenous Wild Yellow Tea","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIndigenous Wild Jungle Yellow Tea from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLeisenzo Village, Mizoram near the India-Mayanmar border. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"132\" data-end=\"583\"\u003eNestled in the easternmost corner of Mizoram, near the India Myanmar border, lies a remote village called Leisenzo, where an ancient indigenous tea culture quietly endures. At the heart of this revival is Lalthamuani, a young woman who has spearheaded the Leisenzo Tea Society, a cooperative of nearly three hundred villagers working together to preserve the story of wild jungle tea while creating meaningful economic opportunity for their community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"585\" data-end=\"1044\"\u003eThis tea is only made every year between March and June, when the first tender leaves are carefully plucked from wild tea trees that are hundreds of years old. What follows is a remarkable indigenous process passed down through generations. Over a hearth, a covered vessel cooks sticky rice, and above it the tea leaves are gently steamed. This slow fermentation and steaming transforms the leaves into a rare and beautiful yellow tea, unlike anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1454\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe cup is layered and expressive, with a juicy mineral texture, gentle sweetness, and a subtle sourness. Notes of rice, gooseberries, and an earthy depth reminiscent of young sheng unfold with each sip. This is a tea for the true connoisseur, for those who value story as much as flavor, who seek the origins of tea, and who appreciate craftsmanship rooted in place, history, and living tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","offers":[{"title":"Pouch 1.06oz (30g)","offer_id":48581395939560,"sku":"Mizoram-1","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Refill Pouch 3.5oz (100g)","offer_id":48581395972328,"sku":"Mizoram-2","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/0418\/9672\/files\/MizoramYellowTea.jpg?v=1770587305"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.herbsandkettles.com\/collections\/wild-rare-tea.oembed","provider":"Herbs \u0026 Kettles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}