Xiang Cha

An obscure green tea from the east of China, the thin curls of these dark leaves open to expose a distinctly savoury character. With a slight grassiness and juicy mouthfeel, it begins to resemble a sencha before a walnut note confirms its roasting, exploding in a wave of spinach and bouillon umami. This is a tea that could not only accompany but even replace your favourite hearty soup. Its relatively affordable price tag means that's a flavourful bang for the proverbial buck.