As we leave 2023 behind, we step into the Year of the Dragon which represents good luck, strength, and health. The dragon is the only mythical creature out of the 12 zodiac signs and embodies a strong importance in Chinese culture, making it one of the most significant symbols. Chinese New Year symbolises prosperity, health, and happiness, and is centred around removing the old and welcoming the new. It is a time to worship ancestors, and to ward off bad spirits to make way for luck throughout the year. Visiting family and friends is at the centre of these traditions, alongside being a time for giving. Traditional ang pao (red envelope) or material items are given to show respect and affection to family, friends, and colleagues. Colours are also very important when celebrating Chinese New Year, as colours manifest the balance of energies known as “qi” which can enhance one’s wellbeing and harmony. Red, yellow, and gold are generally colours best associated with Chinese New Year as they symbolise prosperity, vitality, good fortune, and luck.
This Year of the Dragon resembles the element of wood, and shows strong affinity to the colour green which symbolises growth, renewal, and rejuvenation. Therefore, when collating our list of products for gift ideas, we picked the ones that will best bring good luck and fortune to you and your loved ones this Chinese New Year.
Imperial Longjing Green Tea
Our Imperial Longjing Green Tea is made with Longjing green tea leaves which translates to the name of Dragon Well. Named after the Longjing village, where legend has it that there sat a deep well filled with spring water, and when it stormed, the density and temperature of the rain water would create a swirling effect with the water in the well. It was said that this ripple looked like a dragon in the water, giving its name a special symbolic meaning.
Imperial Longjing Green Tea has a pure nutty fragrance with a subtly sweet grassy flavour. It contains vitamin A which aids in eye health, and is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This is a tea that works wonders for your health and wellbeing. Alongside the legend, Longjing green tea leaves are bright and green, the good fortune colour for the wood dragon. We could not find any reason why this tea would not make the perfect staple or gift this Chinese New Year.
Crimson Bliss
For those of you who are looking for something sweet this Chinese New Year, then look no further than one of tea caramels. Carefully handcrafted with no additives or preservatives, you can rest assure you are consuming pure caramel goodness with a delectable tea flavour, made from quality tea leaves. Crimson Bliss is made with Da Hong Pao oolong tea leaves which gives this caramel a light and earthy flavour with a slight floral aftertaste. Because we only use high quality tea leaves when making our caramel, you will be consuming the health benefits of oolong tea with every bite. Packed with antioxidants, oolong tea can help reduce inflammation and stress in the body.
Da Hong Pao translates to the Chinese meaning of Big Red Robe, derived from the lore that the mother of one of the Ming Dynasty emperors was cured from an unknown illness by drinking Da Hong Pao tea. In turn, the emperor ordered that the tea plants were to be covered with big red robes to show his gratitude to his mother’s healing, in where the tea plants were then called Big Red Robe. We believe the symbolism of Da Hong Pao tea, and its affinity with the colour red make our tea cream caramel an abundant gift this Year of the Dragon.
I Dream of Honey
Because we cannot get enough sweetness and joy in our lives, our I Dream of Honey combines luxurious caramel with a cocoa maltiness from our Yunnan black tea leaves. What makes Yunnan black tea unique is its golden tip leaves, which when brewed let off a sweet honey aroma that is absolutely delightful. When combined with our caramel, we love the bold flavour of chocolate malt which is only elevated by the sweetness of our caramel.
Made to be enjoyed as a dessert, you can also take comfort in the health benefits from our Yunnan black tea. Containing amino acid L-theanine that helps to relax our bodies, and the antioxidant polyphenol theaflavin which can help to detoxify the liver, our tea caramel is more than just a delight. Open a jar and treat your guests to a dessert that they cannot stop thinking about, or gift them a jar or two of our charming Yunnan black tea caramel to take home. Let its golden leaves bring you good luck and prosperity this Chinese New Year.
