Every tea on our virtual shelf has a story. That story doesn’t begin when you open the package; it begins thousands of miles away, on a misty mountain, in the hands of a skilled artisan. Our tea sourcing philosophy is the foundation of everything we do. It’s our guide, our standard, and our promise to you. This is our commitment to quality.
How We Choose Our Teas: A Look Behind the Scenes at Wings Tea Shop
How do you choose your teas? This is a question we love to answer. The selection of every premium chinese tea we offer is the result of a rigorous process guided by four core principles. It’s a journey that takes us from the legendary terroirs of China directly to your cup. This is a look “behind the scenes” at the Wings Tea Shop quality promise.
Principle 1: Terroir is Everything – We Go to the Source
Great tea is a gift from the earth. The “terroir”—the unique combination of soil, climate, and environment—is the single most important factor in a tea’s potential.
Direct Sourcing from Famous Origins like Wuyi and Yunnan
We believe in the importance of direct source tea. We build relationships to source our teas directly from their most famous and authentic origins. Our Wuyi Rock Oolongs come from the rocky cliffs of the Wuyi Mountains, and our Puerh teas come from the ancient tea gardens of Yunnan. We go to the source because there is no substitute for authentic terroir.
Seeking Teas with a Clear “Sense of Place”
When we taste a tea, we are looking for a clear “sense of place.” A great Dancong oolong should taste of the floral air of Phoenix Mountain. A great Wuyi Yancha should carry the mineral “rhyme” of its rocky soil. We choose teas that are honest expressions of their unique homeland.
Principle 2: Craftsmanship is Key – We Partner with Masters
The finest raw material can be ruined by poor processing. That’s why we seek out not just the best leaves, but the best hands to shape them.
Building Relationships with Artisan Farmers
We believe in partnering with people, not just purchasing from a catalog. We build long-term relationships with small, family-run farms and individual tea masters who have a deep, generational understanding of their craft. This approach is central to our tea sourcing ethics.
Valuing Traditional, Handmade Processing
We prioritize traditional, handmade tea. This is because a skilled tea master can adapt their technique to the unique conditions of each day and each batch of leaves—something a machine can never do. This human touch, this craftsmanship, is what elevates a good tea to a truly exceptional one.
Principle 3: Purity and Safety – We Prioritize Clean Tea
The environment in which a tea grows is just as important as the final flavor. We are committed to offering teas that are clean, pure, and safe.
Focusing on Teas from High-Altitude, Biodiverse Environments
We seek out teas grown in high-altitude, biodiverse environments, far from pollutants. These “sheng tai” (生态) gardens often produce healthier, more resilient tea trees that don’t require the use of synthetic pesticides.
Ensuring Clean Processing and Storage
We also ensure that our partners maintain clean, well-organized workshops and proper storage facilities. A tea’s journey must be clean from the mountain to our warehouse to your cup. This is a core part of how to identify quality tea.
Principle 4: Our Own Palate – We Taste Everything
After a tea has met all the above criteria, it must pass one final, crucial test: our own.
A Rigorous Cupping and Selection Process
We personally taste and evaluate hundreds of tea samples each season. We assess them for aroma, flavor, texture, aftertaste, and “Cha Qi” (tea energy). This rigorous cupping process is how we filter the good from the truly exceptional.
If We Don’t Love It, We Don’t Sell It
This is our simplest and most important rule. If a tea doesn’t excite us, move us, and make us want to drink another cup, we will not offer it in our shop. Every tea we sell is a tea we personally love and are proud to share.
A Promise in Every Cup
Our tea sourcing philosophy is more than a business model; it is our promise to you. It’s a promise that every tea you purchase from Wings Tea Shop has been chosen with intention, care, and a deep respect for its origin and its maker. It’s our commitment to bringing you an authentic and exceptional piece of Chinese tea culture.
Our philosophy is not just in our words, but in every cup of tea we offer. .
FAQ: Your Sourcing Questions Answered
Are all your teas “organic”?
While many of our teas are grown using organic principles in high-mountain, biodiverse environments without pesticides, not all small family farms can afford the expensive official “organic” certification. We prioritize the cleanliness of the environment and the quality of the final product, which often exceeds certification standards.
Do you visit the tea farms yourselves?
Yes, building direct relationships is a cornerstone of our philosophy. We travel to the tea-growing regions to meet with the farmers, walk through their gardens, and taste the teas at their source whenever possible. This is how we ensure the quality and authenticity of our direct source tea.
How do you ensure the tea stays fresh during shipping?
We take great care in our packaging. Our teas are packed in multi-layered, resealable foil bags that block out light, moisture, and odors. This ensures that the tea that arrives at your door is just as fresh as when it left our temperature-controlled facility.
How can I learn to choose high-quality tea for myself?
Our blog is a great resource! Learning how to choose tea