Winter Morning 2025

Winter Morning is our seasonal blend of nuanced, rare black teas. We offer it as a way to celebrate the changing seasons, close out the year, and welcome the new one. And just like each year is different from the last, Winter Morning is too. 

 

Profile: Malty, cocoa, warming spice. 

 

While the profile is consistent from year to year, the way we get there and the specific sensory experiences change.

 

This year’s blend is approachable and smooth, with a rounded mouthfeel. The flavor is malty, with an underlying cocoa character, a subtle cooked fruit sweetness, and lingering woodsy spice.  

 

I built it around a black tea made from Mei Zhan, the large leaf variety typically known for oolong. I got the sample from Aaron at GS Haly and cupped it alongside a handful of other contenders. What immediately struck me was its spicy, cooked fruit aroma. Brewed, Mei Zhan is inviting and layered with oolong-esque fruit. Even made as a black tea, that familiar oolong fruitiness is right there. 

I combined it with Golden Monkey, the returning favorite that contributes a dense, toasty, cocoa character. I sourced this tea from David Lee Hoffman at the Phoenix Collection.

I’ve been lucky to offer teas from both of these sources since the earliest days of Highwire. Having trustworthy sources who are able to match what I'm looking for with solid tea choices makes this all possible. The blend is finished with just a touch of Yunnan Golden Needle, which contributes a subtle baked bread, woodsy accent. 

 

We secured enough tea for just 25 pounds this year, so it is extremely limited.

 

We recommend brewing 6g of tea in 414g of near boiling water for 4 minutes. For a milder experience, try brewing with water at 202F.