Organic Saipan Hybrid Green Hibiscus Flavored Green Tea

• Country of Origin:China
• Region:Hunan Province
• Shipping Port:Shanghai
• Grade:Japan Sencha style
• Altitude:about 2500 feel above sea level
• Manufacturer Type: Pan fried green tea
• Cup Characteristics: Tart hibiscus is softened by peachy Osmanthus notes. Positively overflowing with goodness
• Infusions: Lively green
• Ingredients: Japan Sencha green tea, Hibiscus, Osmanthus flowers

Introducing a tea blend created in honor of the “Pied Piper of Saipan”. Never heard of him? Don’t feel too badly, most haven’t. Unlike the Brothers Grimm’s Pied Piper of Hamlin who led a village-full of children to their deaths with his pipe skills, Saipan’s version led many Japanese soldiers to surrender using his language skills, and in doing so, saved their lives.

The Pied Piper of Saipan was actually a man named PFC Guy Louis Gabaldon, a United States Marine stationed on Saipan, now part of the US Commonwealth Marinara island chain, during the famous 1944 Battle of Saipan. At the time, because of its close proximity to Japan, Saipan was considered an essential capture by the American Forces. They needed the island as an airbase for their formidable, but short ranged, Flying Fortress bombers, an integral component of their planned invasion of Japan.

Clearly, the Japanese didn’t want to give up the island easily and stationed many troops there. While on the island, PFC Gabaldon devised a unique, but simple method of convincing these troops to turn themselves in. He would stand by the entrance of their hideouts and call out in broken Japanese “Come out, and you will not be killed! I assure you will be well treated. We do not want to kill you!" This simple method led to the surrender of more than 1500 troops, the largest ever captured single-handedly. For his efforts, PFC Gabaldon was awarded the Silver Star Medal, which in later years was upgraded to the Navy Cross Medal.

We’ve developed this blend not to glorify war, but to hope for peace. We began with a very flavorful, slightly grassy Sencha style Japanese green tea, manufactured in China according to Japanese standards. This broad leafed tea infuses a wonderfully pale liquor that takes flavoring very well. To this we added Hibiscus petals, considered a sign of peace and tranquility in many parts of the world, and delicately scented Osmanthus petals. The resulting cup tends sweetish with notes of grass, peach and a smooth finish. Quite simply a fabulous tea. Brew a pot and give peace a chance.