artemis of Ephesus

Did you know that the ancient Greeks referred to the Priestesses of Artemis as honey bees? It's a beautiful connection that resonates with our 2025 Moonlight Artemis harvest from this past February.

This special tea is a heartfelt tribute and a thank you to the incredible women growers and harvesters who pour their dedication, care, and love into nurturing the tea plants. We truly believe these remarkable women are like the bees, diligently performing essential work and helping us to realign with Nature.

This light oolong is a special blend touched by Sunny. It offers a delicate character with hints of grain and a subtle sweetness. Just like a fine wine, each vintage carries a unique character, capturing the essence and memory of the past season.

We hope you enjoy this exceptional tea that honors the vital contributions of women in tea cultivation.

Although Princess Izumi was of royal descent, her life was dedicated to a profound purpose as a Saiō at the Ise Grand Shrine. This revered temple serves Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess often regarded as the principal deity of the Shinto pantheon, and Toyouke-hime, the Goddess of agriculture. Three rituals a year, Saiō prays for peace and protection. Never married, Princess Izumi's service at this sacred site reflects a life devoted to a higher calling.  

In her honor, we have named our whole leaf green tea after her. This exceptional blend features two distinct 2025 Royal green varietals: one offering a lush and full flavor, and the other abundant in amino acids and l-theanine. Experience the profoundly relaxing and soothing qualities of this tea – this is the one you will feel. 

In 1980 when Mt. Saint Helens erupted, the fireweed was the first plant to be seen! How amazing through the ashes of many living things, nature gifts us with hope and a rebirth of soil.  A wild beauty that thrives after a fire. 

When a forest fire clears the ground, the fireweed seeds germinate and blooms once again. With the help of our beloved pollinating bees, this Nature’s pioneer paves the way for new life to form, and the fireweed helps stabilize soil for other plants to grow. Once the trees are formed, the fireweeds are shaded again. It goes away to be born again another day when it’s call forth to pave the way for life again. 

When desiring a little sweetness to the tea, we recommend the fireweed honey.  A magical combination!