Hawthorn Whisper (Hawthorn Pu-erh)

Hawthorn Whisper is a ripe Yunnan pu-erh blended with hawthorn berry — earthy, tart and smooth, and one of the gentlest after-dinner teas we make.

Taste

Ripe pu-erh gives a deep, smooth, forest-floor base with a natural sweetness and no raw bitterness. Hawthorn cuts across it with a bright berry tartness — think dried rosehip or sour cherry — that keeps the earthiness from sitting too heavy. The liquor brews a dark red-brown and drinks thick and rounded.

What's inside

• Ripe (shou) pu-erh — from Yunnan, fermented and aged for a mellow, smooth body.
• Hawthorn berry — for a bright, tart counterpoint.

How to brew

Use about 5 g per small pot with freshly boiled water (100°C). Rinse for 10 seconds and discard, then steep 20–30 seconds for the first cup, adding 5–10 seconds each round. Holds 8–10 steeps. For a mug, use a heaped teaspoon and steep 2–3 minutes.

When to drink it

After dinner, or in the evening — ripe pu-erh sits at roughly 15–25 mg of caffeine, low enough for most people at night. Also a good post-workout cup when you want something warm rather than sweet.

Part of the O2H pu erh tea collection — blended for Australian palates and packed in Melbourne in biodegradable packaging. Read more in our pu-erh guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink Hawthorn Whisper in the evening?
For most people, yes. Ripe (shou) pu-erh typically carries about 15–25 mg of caffeine per cup — well below black tea. If you are very caffeine-sensitive, keep it before 7 pm or choose a caffeine-free rooibos instead.

What does hawthorn taste like in tea?
Bright and tart, somewhere between dried rosehip and sour cherry. It works as a counterpoint to the deep, earthy pu-erh base rather than dominating it.

Is pu-erh meant to taste earthy?
Yes. Ripe pu-erh is fermented and aged, which is where the smooth, forest-floor character comes from. If you find straight pu-erh too earthy, a blend like this one — with hawthorn cutting through — is an easier place to start.