120/80
ANCIENT TREE RED TEA
RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE / WILD TEA
Lùng Vài, Hà Giàng, Vietnam
120/80 is our award-winning red tea produced from ancient tea tree material harvested in the remote mountain forests of Northern Vietnam. Traditionally crafted with exceptional attention to detail and made from leaves harvested from ancient trees, this tea combines remarkable depth, sweetness, and complexity with the elegance of classical red tea production. The infusion is rich, smooth, and highly expressive, revealing notes of wild honey, dried fruits, cocoa, warm spices, and mineral sweetness, qualities that established it as one of the flagship teas of AN SHIM TEA PRODUCTION. MORE
GOLD MEDAL at THE GOLDEN LEAF AWARDS 2025
"Black tea: Best Single Origin Worldwide"
200 g cake
AROMA
Cacao, nutty
TASTE
Woody, chocolate
350-500 years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1200+ m
HARVEST: Spring, 2026
RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE / WILD TEA
Lùng Vài, Hà Giàng, Vietnam
120/80 is our award-winning red tea produced from ancient tea tree material harvested in the remote mountain forests of Northern Vietnam. Traditionally crafted with exceptional attention to detail and made from leaves harvested from ancient trees, this tea combines remarkable depth, sweetness, and complexity with the elegance of classical red tea production. The infusion is rich, smooth, and highly expressive, revealing notes of wild honey, dried fruits, cocoa, warm spices, and mineral sweetness, qualities that established it as one of the flagship teas of AN SHIM TEA PRODUCTION. MORE
GOLD MEDAL at THE GOLDEN LEAF AWARDS 2025
"Black tea: Best Single Origin Worldwide"
200 g cake
AROMA
Cacao, nutty
TASTE
Woody, chocolate
350-500 years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1200+ m
HARVEST: Spring, 2026
According to studies, red/black teas can absorb heavy metals and toxins, as well as break them down. Medical experiments show that red tea alkaloids excite the central nervous system, increase concentration, and improve mental abilities, which strengthens memory. Alkaloids also stimulate the cardiovascular system and increase heartbeat, thereby accelerating blood circulation. It has a revitalising effect and helps in digestion processes.
Learn more about the BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 95-95 °C
Amount: 5-7 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 5
WESTERN (INFUSION)
Temperature: 95-99 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 2
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture and loses its properties, including taste and aroma. Store it in a dry and cool place in airtight packaging. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
*When properly stored, this tea gets better with time!
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
*When properly stored, this tea gets better with time!
Learn more ABOUT TEA STORAGE
ABOUT
120/80 is one of the most personal and important teas in the history of AN SHIM TEA PRODUCTION. Produced from ancient tea tree material harvested in Lùng Vài, Hà Giàng, Vietnam, it reflects everything we love about this remarkable tea-growing region. For many years, Lùng Vài has remained our favorite tea area in Hà Giàng Province, consistently producing teas with exceptional balance, sweetness, depth, and character while preserving the authentic craftsmanship and tea traditions of Northern Vietnam.
The story of 120/80 began in 2018 during our second Vietnam Tea Experience Tour. At that time, our founder decided to begin a series of production experiments focused on creating traditionally made red tea from ancient tea tree material with sufficient structure and quality to benefit from long-term aging. Rather than producing a conventional loose-leaf tea, the decision was made to press the tea into traditional 200 g cakes, creating a format more commonly associated with Pu'Er tea. Since then, this limited production has been continued every year, gradually becoming one of the signature projects.
The name 120/80 was chosen to celebrate one of tea's most appreciated qualities: its ability to bring balance and harmony into everyday life. The numbers refer to what is commonly considered an ideal human blood pressure reading and pulse condition, symbolizing physical balance, stability, and well-being. Through this name, we hoped to draw attention to tea not only as a beverage of pleasure and culture but also as a drink that has long been associated with healthy living, mindfulness, and longevity throughout many tea-drinking traditions of the world.
The tea itself is produced from carefully selected ancient tea tree material harvested by local ethnic minority communities who have worked with these mountain tea forests for generations. The leaves are traditionally processed at our factory in the mountains of Hà Giàng Province, where every stage of production is carried out with great care and attention to detail. One of the defining features of 120/80 is its natural sun-drying process. Unlike modern industrial drying methods, sun-drying helps preserve the living character of the tea, contributes to its distinctive flavor profile, and creates the foundation necessary for long-term aging and gradual development over time.
After production, the tea is pressed into 200 g cakes. This format not only helps preserve the tea during storage and transportation but also creates favorable conditions for slow maturation. Over time, the compressed leaves gradually integrate and evolve, developing additional depth, smoothness, and complexity while preserving the tea's original mountain character.
In 2025, after years of dedication to this project, 120/80 received international recognition when it was awarded a Gold Medal at The Golden Leaf Awards 2025 in the category "Black Tea: Best Single Origin Worldwide." For us, this achievement represents much more than a competition result. It serves as a confirmation of our belief in traditional production methods, exceptional ancient tree material, and the remarkable potential of Vietnamese tea. We have always believed this tea was special, and this recognition became a meaningful milestone in the ongoing story of a tea that continues to embody our passion, dedication, and respect for authentic tea craftsmanship.
120/80 is one of the most personal and important teas in the history of AN SHIM TEA PRODUCTION. Produced from ancient tea tree material harvested in Lùng Vài, Hà Giàng, Vietnam, it reflects everything we love about this remarkable tea-growing region. For many years, Lùng Vài has remained our favorite tea area in Hà Giàng Province, consistently producing teas with exceptional balance, sweetness, depth, and character while preserving the authentic craftsmanship and tea traditions of Northern Vietnam.
The story of 120/80 began in 2018 during our second Vietnam Tea Experience Tour. At that time, our founder decided to begin a series of production experiments focused on creating traditionally made red tea from ancient tea tree material with sufficient structure and quality to benefit from long-term aging. Rather than producing a conventional loose-leaf tea, the decision was made to press the tea into traditional 200 g cakes, creating a format more commonly associated with Pu'Er tea. Since then, this limited production has been continued every year, gradually becoming one of the signature projects.
The name 120/80 was chosen to celebrate one of tea's most appreciated qualities: its ability to bring balance and harmony into everyday life. The numbers refer to what is commonly considered an ideal human blood pressure reading and pulse condition, symbolizing physical balance, stability, and well-being. Through this name, we hoped to draw attention to tea not only as a beverage of pleasure and culture but also as a drink that has long been associated with healthy living, mindfulness, and longevity throughout many tea-drinking traditions of the world.
The tea itself is produced from carefully selected ancient tea tree material harvested by local ethnic minority communities who have worked with these mountain tea forests for generations. The leaves are traditionally processed at our factory in the mountains of Hà Giàng Province, where every stage of production is carried out with great care and attention to detail. One of the defining features of 120/80 is its natural sun-drying process. Unlike modern industrial drying methods, sun-drying helps preserve the living character of the tea, contributes to its distinctive flavor profile, and creates the foundation necessary for long-term aging and gradual development over time.
After production, the tea is pressed into 200 g cakes. This format not only helps preserve the tea during storage and transportation but also creates favorable conditions for slow maturation. Over time, the compressed leaves gradually integrate and evolve, developing additional depth, smoothness, and complexity while preserving the tea's original mountain character.
In 2025, after years of dedication to this project, 120/80 received international recognition when it was awarded a Gold Medal at The Golden Leaf Awards 2025 in the category "Black Tea: Best Single Origin Worldwide." For us, this achievement represents much more than a competition result. It serves as a confirmation of our belief in traditional production methods, exceptional ancient tree material, and the remarkable potential of Vietnamese tea. We have always believed this tea was special, and this recognition became a meaningful milestone in the ongoing story of a tea that continues to embody our passion, dedication, and respect for authentic tea craftsmanship.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves display a beautiful mixture of large ancient tea tree leaves and golden buds, carefully compressed into traditional cakes. Their appearance reflects both the strength of the ancient tree material and the precision of traditional red tea processing. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, rich, and highly expressive, offering notes of wild honey, dried apricots, cacao, ripe dates, baked fruits, warm spices, and sweet wood. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma expands dramatically, revealing additional layers of forest honey, dark raisins, roasted nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, caramelized sugar, and delicate floral undertones. As the leaves awaken, the aromatic profile becomes increasingly complex and refined, displaying the remarkable depth characteristic of ancient tea tree material.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a rich amber-red color with golden reflections. The aroma of the infusion is warm, elegant, and highly layered, combining notes of wild honey, dried fruits, baked apples, cacao, sweet spices, roasted nuts, and subtle woody nuances. The texture is exceptionally smooth, thick, and silky, coating the palate with richness while maintaining remarkable clarity and balance. The taste opens with pronounced natural sweetness before gradually revealing layers of honey, dried apricots, dates, raisins, caramel, dark chocolate, baked fruits, cinnamon, and mineral undertones. The ancient tree material provides remarkable structure and persistence, while the traditional processing and sun-drying contribute additional complexity and depth. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea continues to evolve, revealing new aromatic dimensions while preserving its harmony, sweetness, and elegant character.
The aftertaste is exceptionally long, sweet, and warming, leaving lingering impressions of forest honey, dried fruits, cacao, and mineral sweetness in the mouth and throat. As the session progresses, the tea develops increasing smoothness and integration, demonstrating the aging potential that has become one of the defining characteristics of 120/80. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of wild honey, vanilla, dried apricots, dark raisins, sweet wood, cacao, and delicate spice nuances.
GASTRONOMY
120/80 is an exceptionally versatile gastronomic tea whose richness, natural sweetness, and layered complexity allow it to accompany a wide range of both sweet and savory dishes. Its notes of wild honey, dried fruits, cacao, and warm spices pair beautifully with baked pastries, honey cakes, fruit tarts, chocolate desserts, cinnamon rolls, almond pastries, and desserts featuring dried fruits or nuts. The tea's natural sweetness enhances these flavors while maintaining remarkable balance and elegance on the palate.
The structure and depth provided by the ancient tea tree material also make 120/80 an excellent companion for savory cuisine. Mature cheeses, roasted poultry, duck, smoked meats, mushroom-based dishes, roasted root vegetables, and traditional Asian preparations pair naturally with its rich texture and complex aromatic profile. The tea's sweetness softens savory elements while its mineral character and subtle tannic structure help cleanse the palate between bites.
For experienced tea lovers, 120/80 is equally rewarding as a standalone tea, requiring no accompaniment to fully appreciate its complexity. However, its remarkable balance between power and elegance allows it to perform exceptionally well in restaurant-style tea pairings and refined gastronomic settings. Whether enjoyed through multiple Gongfu infusions or prepared in a larger teapot, the tea demonstrates a rare ability to complement food while retaining its own distinct identity.
Particularly during colder seasons, 120/80 becomes a natural companion to comforting meals and slow gatherings around the table. Its warming character, long-lasting sweetness, and rich aromatic profile create a sense of comfort and depth that perfectly reflects the noble character of ancient tea tree material. Like the finest gastronomic teas, it does not compete with food but rather elevates the entire experience, creating harmony between tea, cuisine, and the people sharing the moment together.
The dry leaves display a beautiful mixture of large ancient tea tree leaves and golden buds, carefully compressed into traditional cakes. Their appearance reflects both the strength of the ancient tree material and the precision of traditional red tea processing. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, rich, and highly expressive, offering notes of wild honey, dried apricots, cacao, ripe dates, baked fruits, warm spices, and sweet wood. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma expands dramatically, revealing additional layers of forest honey, dark raisins, roasted nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, caramelized sugar, and delicate floral undertones. As the leaves awaken, the aromatic profile becomes increasingly complex and refined, displaying the remarkable depth characteristic of ancient tea tree material.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a rich amber-red color with golden reflections. The aroma of the infusion is warm, elegant, and highly layered, combining notes of wild honey, dried fruits, baked apples, cacao, sweet spices, roasted nuts, and subtle woody nuances. The texture is exceptionally smooth, thick, and silky, coating the palate with richness while maintaining remarkable clarity and balance. The taste opens with pronounced natural sweetness before gradually revealing layers of honey, dried apricots, dates, raisins, caramel, dark chocolate, baked fruits, cinnamon, and mineral undertones. The ancient tree material provides remarkable structure and persistence, while the traditional processing and sun-drying contribute additional complexity and depth. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea continues to evolve, revealing new aromatic dimensions while preserving its harmony, sweetness, and elegant character.
The aftertaste is exceptionally long, sweet, and warming, leaving lingering impressions of forest honey, dried fruits, cacao, and mineral sweetness in the mouth and throat. As the session progresses, the tea develops increasing smoothness and integration, demonstrating the aging potential that has become one of the defining characteristics of 120/80. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of wild honey, vanilla, dried apricots, dark raisins, sweet wood, cacao, and delicate spice nuances.
GASTRONOMY
120/80 is an exceptionally versatile gastronomic tea whose richness, natural sweetness, and layered complexity allow it to accompany a wide range of both sweet and savory dishes. Its notes of wild honey, dried fruits, cacao, and warm spices pair beautifully with baked pastries, honey cakes, fruit tarts, chocolate desserts, cinnamon rolls, almond pastries, and desserts featuring dried fruits or nuts. The tea's natural sweetness enhances these flavors while maintaining remarkable balance and elegance on the palate.
The structure and depth provided by the ancient tea tree material also make 120/80 an excellent companion for savory cuisine. Mature cheeses, roasted poultry, duck, smoked meats, mushroom-based dishes, roasted root vegetables, and traditional Asian preparations pair naturally with its rich texture and complex aromatic profile. The tea's sweetness softens savory elements while its mineral character and subtle tannic structure help cleanse the palate between bites.
For experienced tea lovers, 120/80 is equally rewarding as a standalone tea, requiring no accompaniment to fully appreciate its complexity. However, its remarkable balance between power and elegance allows it to perform exceptionally well in restaurant-style tea pairings and refined gastronomic settings. Whether enjoyed through multiple Gongfu infusions or prepared in a larger teapot, the tea demonstrates a rare ability to complement food while retaining its own distinct identity.
Particularly during colder seasons, 120/80 becomes a natural companion to comforting meals and slow gatherings around the table. Its warming character, long-lasting sweetness, and rich aromatic profile create a sense of comfort and depth that perfectly reflects the noble character of ancient tea tree material. Like the finest gastronomic teas, it does not compete with food but rather elevates the entire experience, creating harmony between tea, cuisine, and the people sharing the moment together.
Check out our "120/80" Red Snow Shan Tea production video review!
"120/80" Red Snow Shan Tea production by AN SHIM TEA
4K Timelapse Video
RED (BLACK) TEA
Explore more Red (Black) Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.