5 of the Highest Quality Teas You'll Actually Cherish

The rarest tea is like a cherished fine wine or precious gemstone. These exceptional teas are of a caliber above the rest, offering superior flavor, quality, and history within every tea leaf. These are natural treasures with a deep culture that makes them so much more than a drink. 

Rare teas remind you that tea can go beyond a caffeine boost and even a daily ritual. These teas are the cream of the crop and present you with an art form shaped by centuries-old traditions. 

In today’s blog, you’ll discover what makes rare teas so valuable and the stories and practices that uphold their reputations to this day.

What Makes a Tea Rare?

Only the most prized teas can be called rare. Certain elements combine to create the rarest teas that are indeed top quality. A tea can usually be called “rare” if it consists of all or most of these unique characteristics.

Precise Seasonality

Most rare teas are harvested once a year, while other teas are harvested many times a year. Other rare teas are harvested for only a short window of time. The limited harvesting season makes them exceptionally valuable.

Unique Geography

Some teas grow only in unique microclimates, allowing the development of different characteristics and tastes. The misty Wuyi Mountains in China create a sweeter and complex flavor within the leaves. The Fujian Province develops a mineral flavor and a variety of robust aromas with a pleasant sweetness.

Artisanal Craftsmanship

The rarest teas are harvested using a hand-plucking method, which is much more precise and time-consuming than the machine harvesting methods. High-quality teas are handled with great care, using traditional practices passed through generations. Batches of leaves are rolled, shaped, and created in small quantities for supreme flavor and quality control.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Some rare teas are tied to historical events or centuries-old history. Other teas are intertwined with traditions that limit their production and widespread availability.

Stories Behind the World’s Rarest Teas

The most sought-after teas are usually linked to age-old stories and legends, or harvested in unique climates. These are some of our favorite rare teas laced with heritage, craftsmanship, and even real gold. 

Da Hong Pao - Big Red Robe

Da Hong Pao - Big Red Robe Tea - $29.95

Legend has it that in China, a scholar used this tea to cure the illness of the Emperor. The Emperor gave the scholar his red robe — a very high honor — and asked that it be draped over the tea bushes. As a sign of respect and thankfulness for his recovery, the Emperor commanded all officials passing this area to drape their robes over the tea plants.

This is an exquisite organic oolong tea renowned for its rich texture and enticing aroma. The combination of fruity notes and floral aroma has an underlying sweetness that lingers on your palate. 

Silver White Needle

White Silver Needle Tea - $21.95

The delicate sweetness of this exquisite white tea balances perfectly with the honeysuckle aroma. It has a clean finish and is naturally sweet with a characteristic nectar-like flavor. It’s one of the most revered and rarest teas in the world.

These white tea leaves, in particular, are cherished for their deep traditional harvesting and history, and the meticulous artisanal techniques used for every batch. Silver needle tea is carefully hand-harvested from the freshest and newest growth of the Fuding Da Hao and Fuding Da Bai tea varietals.

Tie Guan Yin - Iron Goddess of Mercy

Tie Guan Yin - Iron Goddess of Mercy Tea - $19.95

Legend has it that the Goddess of Mercy offered a very poor farmer a small but valuable tea plant in exchange for taking care of her rundown temple. This tea is often celebrated for its incredible artistry and mythical roots. 

It’s an oolong tea that goes through a precise process of rolling, oxidizing, and roasting. The result is a buttery mouthfeel with signature sweet orchid notes. The tea leaves are immediately dried in the sun, which ferments the outer layer of the leaf and keeps the inner portion green.

Golden Monkey

Golden Monkey Tea - $21.95

As one of the rarest teas, Golden Monkey is grown in regions that can be found at an incredible 1200-meter altitude in the misty and cloudy mountains of the Yunnan province. It’s here that a superior flavored tea leaf develops a deep, malty, and smooth flavor. The leaves are harvested in early spring, where only one tea leaf and a bud are carefully plucked. 

These tea leaves resemble monkey paws or claws, which could be one reason behind their name. Ancient folklore suggests the name stems from the legend that only monkeys were able to pluck the tea leaves because the plants were so difficult to reach on the rocky mountains. The tea was believed to bestow powers and vitality similar to male golden monkeys.

24-Karat Gold Jasmine Pearls

24-Karat Gold Pearl Jasmine Green Tea - $395.00

Harvesting jasmine-scented teas is a meticulous art form that requires much practice and patience. Jasmine tea can only be harvested a few months out of the year, making it one of the rarest teas in the world. Delicate notes of jasmine flowers blend with fresh green tea for a captivating experience in every cup. 

This jasmine pearl tea is particularly special and rare as it’s coated in 24-karat gold. To experience the full beauty of this shimmering tea, steep your leaves in a crystal clear teapot. This is a rare tea that’s perfect for a celebratory milestone or significant occasion.

Find Rare Teas at Teabloom

Which rare tea do you want to try first? These are more than simple daily rituals — these historical teas are laced with artistry and the finest that nature and tradition have to offer. 

For the purest flavor and visual experience, steep your rarest tea in borosilicate glass teaware. This chemical-free, taste-free material brings out the best flavor of your tea and nothing else. This is teaware that elevates your experience, making your most cherished teas taste and look even better.

Honor tradition and savor your rare teas with Teabloom.

www.Teabloom.com