{"title":"New 2026 Teas","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are the teas we discovered on our 2026 trip to Yunnan. More will be added as they arrive. Samples available on request.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"white-sand-well","title":"White Sand Well Ripe Pu-erh","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage: 2022 Spring Harvest\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 100 grams\u003cbr\u003eType: Ripe Pu-erh (fermented)\u003cbr\u003eProduction area: Yiwu Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name of this tea tells the story. When Wang Zong dug the well at his tea factory, he found layers of white sand acted as a natural filtration system. The water from the well is sweet to the taste, as we experienced during our visit. He uses the well water to ferment the tea, during the \u003cem\u003eWo Dui\u003c\/em\u003e (渥堆 - \"wet piling\") stage. The resulting shu Pu-erh is very smooth, without the earthy flavor, but still rich and thick in the mouth and throat. A hint of sweetness remains, rare for ripe Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sampled the tea at the factory, and asked Wang Zong if he also used the well water for brewing the tea. When he said 'yes', we asked for a sample to take home. After all, we don't all have white sand wells in our backyard! But even with our filtered home water, the brewed tea retains its magical qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raw material for this tea is from Yiwu Mountain - a region famous for their raw Pu-erh. It is rare to have ripe Pu-erh made from such high grade leaves. Though still young - the leaves were harvested in 2022 and pressed into cakes in 2026 - this tea is already elegant and refined, with calm and relaxing \u003cem\u003echa qi\u003c\/em\u003e (tea energy).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea cake wrapper bears the symbol of the well, along with the text \"hand-made tea\". As with all of Wang Zong's teas, it's not just marketing; we watched the process of fermenting, sorting, pressing, and wrapping the cakes - all done by hand at his factory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47976627208244,"sku":"05-WHITES-001","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/1825\/6948\/files\/bana_whitesandwell_cover.jpg?v=1782782511"},{"product_id":"forest-magic-2026-raw-pu-erh","title":"Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage: April 3, 2026 Spring Harvest\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 100 grams\u003cbr\u003eType: Raw Pu-erh (non-fermented)\u003cbr\u003eProduction area: Banpo Old Village, Nannuo Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the forest where this tea grows, tea trees form an under-canopy beneath towering bamboo, kutamero (laurel) and other trees. The healthy, happy forest floor teems with life. This tea is like the forest: soft and beautiful yet without the loss of wildness. The pristine natural environment allows the plants to flourish without the use of chemicals. The experience of this tea speaks to the harmony of a balanced ecosystem: lively and bright with strength and deep roots underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur guide and his family, members of the Hani tribe in southern Yunnan, have been tending these trees for generations. They harvest the leaves, sort them, and process them into raw Pu-erh, all on site. He considers himself a farmer - he doesn't market a product or sell to consumers. After tasting his 2026 teas, we bought out his entire supply. We are happy to share this tea exclusively with Bana and Callisto customers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a \"young\" tea, it retains the freshness and savory qualities, especially in the early brews. In later brews, the savory chestnut notes fade and a honey-sweetness comes through. Smooth, silky and light, the tea is still full bodied and satisfying. We are excited to continue drinking this tea year after year, and witnessing it's development.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48103085965364,"sku":"06-FOREST-001","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/1825\/6948\/files\/bana_forestmagic_cover.jpg?v=1786000296"},{"product_id":"blades-of-grass-2026-raw-pu-erh","title":"Blades of Grass 2026 Raw Pu-erh","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage: April 3, 2026 Spring Harvest\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 100 grams\u003cbr\u003eType: Raw Pu-erh (non-fermented)\u003cbr\u003eProduction area: Banpo Old Village, Nannuo Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe named this tea after tasting it. As a young raw Pu-erh, it has a lot in common with Chinese green tea, including a fresh savory quality. Like grass, it is soft and flexible, but it still has an edge. That faint metallic quality of new sheng Pu-erh, which turns into sweetness in the mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from the same forest farm as our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/forest-magic-2026-raw-pu-erh\" title=\"Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh Tea\"\u003eForest Magic\u003c\/a\u003e, the same 2026 harvest. The difference lies in the sorting of the leaves. Forest Magic highlights the older tea trees, while Blades of Grass is composed predominantly of newer growth. Two teas for different moods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bana Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48122005389364,"sku":"06-BLADES-001","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/1825\/6948\/files\/bana_bladesofgrass_cover.jpg?v=1786000296"}],"url":"https:\/\/banateacompany.com\/collections\/new-2026-teas.oembed","provider":"Bana Tea Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}