Beginning a meal with a warm cup of Shan Tuyet Tea, with its refreshing sweet aftertaste, will be a perfect experience when enjoying Northern Vietnamese cuisine. Harvested from ancient tea trees that withstood the test of time and nature’s elements, this tea embodies resilience and purity. Each sip offers a delicate balance of subtle sweetness and refreshing clarity, reminiscent of the Ha Giang mountains. Allow this exquisite Shan Tuyet Tea to awaken your senses and set the tone for an unforgettable culinary experience in Vietnam.
Table of Contents
The origin and history of Shan Tuyet Tea
Shan Tuyet Tea comes from ancient trees thriving in the high mountains of northern Vietnam, particularly in Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang), Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. The name “Shan” means “mountain” in the Hmong language (ethnolect), while “Tuyet” (snow) refers to the soft white fuzz covering the tea buds. Despite the extreme weather conditions, these trees still grow naturally, producing exceptional tea leaves. Some trees, aged several hundred years, still yield high-quality tea, making it a rare and valuable treasure.
The tradition of tea drinking in Vietnam has a long history, dating back to ancient times when tea plants grew wild in the high mountainous regions. As early as the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty, wild-growing tea from the highlands, including Shan Tuyet, was harvested and served in royal ceremonies. Over time, tea drinking gradually became a distinctive cultural feature, deeply embedded in the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Nowadays, the Hmong and Dao ethnic people carefully cultivate and harvest tea leaves in Northern Vietnam. However, due to the region’s challenging climate and limited production scale, it remains a rare brew. This tea has become a part of Vietnam’s culture and culinary heritage.
Unique characteristics and flavors
Shan Tuyet Tea boasts a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from other traditional Vietnamese teas. It yields a golden, shimmering liquor and a uniquely gentle fragrance when brewed. The flavor starts with a slight bitterness on the tongue but ends with a lingering sweetness.
This unique flavor profile stems from the tea’s origin: ancient, large-trunked trees that grow naturally and have adapted to the perpetually misty climate. Despite enduring harsh winters atop misty peaks, these resilient Shan Tuyet trees sprout new buds each spring, providing local communities a bountiful harvest season.
These trees, deeply rooted in mineral-rich soil, can live for over a thousand years — a rarity among tea plants. This exceptional longevity contributes to this tea‘s rich, complex, and unparalleled taste.
Where to experience Shan Tuyet Tea?
Shan Tuyet Tea or Snow Shan Tea is mainly found in Vietnam’s Northwestern provinces, such as Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Son La. The unique climatic and soil conditions of each region impart subtle variations to the tea’s flavor. Notably, areas with high altitudes and harsh climates, where tea trees thrive against the odds, produce some of the finest teas.
Among these, Shan Tuyet Tea from Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang), Ta Xua (Son La), and Suoi Giang (Yen Bai) are highly esteemed for their exceptional quality. Beyond the natural conditions, meticulous care and traditional processing techniques employed by local artisans play a crucial role in defining the distinctive taste of this tea.
“At Chapter Dining, we honor this heritage by incorporating Shan Tuyet Tea into our modern culinary narrative. As part of our Chapter Menu “Earth Call”, each fine dining experience commences with a warm cup of tea. Sourced meticulously from Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, this tea encapsulates the robust flavors of Vietnam’s Northwestern mountains, offering you a deep connection to this region.”
How to brew Shan Tuyet Tea?
Properly brewing this tea is essential to enhance its rich, distinctive flavor. You need to prepare pure water (boiled) and a tea set (including a teapot, cups, a fairness pitcher, and a filter). Follow these 5 steps:
- Warm the teapot and cups: Rinse the teapot and cups with boiling water.
- Cool the water: Pour boiling water into a cup to reduce its temperature slightly.
- Rinse the tea leaves: Place the tea and pour the water from step 2 into the teapot, ensuring the leaves are fully submerged. Cover the teapot and gently swirl it to allow the leaves to unfurl and release their aroma.
- Steep the tea: Let the tea steep for approximately 30-45 seconds, depending on your taste preference and the specific tea variety.
- Serve the tea: Pour the brewed tea from the teapot into the fairness cup through a strainer to catch any loose leaves. Then, distribute the tea evenly into individual cups to enjoy
Note: Shan Tuyet tea leaves are thick and can be steeped multiple times — typically 3 brews. For each subsequent brew, increase the steeping time by 20 seconds to maintain a consistent and robust flavor. Additionally, always use boiling water to fully extract the essence of this Northern Vietnamese tea, as the dense leaves require higher temperatures for optimal brewing.
_________
Chapter Dining
12C Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Mon – Sat from 18:00 – 23:00
Tel: +84 333 201 221 – Reserve a table
Email: reservation@chapter.vn
