Mansa 2002

Last Flush

Much fuss is made about first and second flush in bush tea. With the little education that large indus-
tries provide us, we are made to believe that only the youngest of tip-leaves are the best. This is not true.
A mature tree develops a mature leaf. Maybe the bonsai-tortured bush teas don’t, but large trees surely do.

The advantage of mature leaves are in their harmonious composition of components, rendering an
equally harmonious and sweet taste of the infusion. Ecologically explained, the young leaves protect
themselves against hungry insects through aggressive chemicals, while the mature leaves have devel-
oped hardened protective structures and can invest their energy into a refined composition of chemical
components and physiological processes for photosynthesis. Therefore, the mature leaves also contain
less caffeine, and the resulting tea makes a pleasant night cup.

Although these leaves are older, the idea is newer: another TianZi Noveltea.
And on a side note: the mountain people of South Yunnan also use these mature leaves to make an ex-
cellent sauerkraut. The fermented leaves are served with much chilly and other rare spices of the forest.

A truly un-usual dish and another novel product
- although just no tea