The Red Tea or Tea of the Emperors, is a valuable tea venerated by the oriental tradition since time immemorial. It is obtained from the Camellia assamica. It is grown in the highlands of Yunnan, a province known as the "land of eternal spring". The process after harvesting goes through different phases in which the leaves are compressed to form plates that are then fermented until they reach a reddish colour. But it is its post-fermentation process that is its most unique feature, i.e. it goes through a subsequent ripening phase in storage, which can last up to 60 years. Today's Red Tea is very similar to the tea that was consumed in China 2000 years ago and that was already so appreciated for its medicinal use.
