Thai Nguyen

Vietnam

Thai Nguyen Province north of Hanoi is Vietnam's most celebrated tea region, often called the 'first tea region' of the country. The Tan Cuong commune produces the most sought-after Vietnamese green tea, known for its slightly sweet, full-bodied character with a pleasant astringency and long-lasting aftertaste. The region's subtropical climate with distinct seasons and acidic soils produces leaves with a unique flavor profile quite different from Chinese or Japanese greens. Thai Nguyen teas are traditionally enjoyed in the Vietnamese gongfu style with tiny cups and multiple infusions, and form the base for the country's famous lotus-scented tea, where green tea is layered with fresh lotus stamens over multiple nights.