When you dream of Manderley, do you dream of me?

The year 1934 is just one of many golden years during Shanghai’s Haipai era. When East met West. Qipaos are accessorized with finger waves and fur coats. Busy streets paving way to sleepless nights.

Here we have a darkened Chinese oolong from Guangdong Province matched with muscat grapes. Save the sweetener because you won’t need it. Big leaves are seeped with flavors from grapes. Caramel and nutty base notes of oolong remain warmly lit in the background while muscat shines on the main stage.

Serving Suggestion: start with 3-4 grams or 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water at 185 degrees Fahrenheit then steep for 4 minutes.

Manderley’s Secret Suggestion: using a ratio of 4 grams for every 6-8 ounces of water, let the tea leaves steep in room temperature or cold water for 24-48 hours. This gradual steep while avoiding high heat allows the more delicate notes to linger, bringing forth more sweetness. Can be used as a base for your own cocktail recipe. This method may yield to higher caffeine levels.