Henan Magnolia Buds | Dried Flower Buds • Funiu Mountains, Henan Province, China
Magnolia biondii: Xin Yi Hua, closed buds of Extra Grade.
Location and Growing Variables
Biotope
A winter harvest at the dormant bud stage: Xin Yi Hua comes exclusively from the immature flower buds of the magnolia (Magnolia biondii). Unlike conventional flowers, gathered in full bloom, magnolia demands the opposite discipline: the buds must be picked at the end of winter, while still closed, dormant and protected by their natural sheath. This exceptional lot comes from Henan province, in central China — more precisely from the mountainous foothills of Mount Funiu. This terroir has long been recognized as the birthplace of the finest Xin Yi Hua, owing to its severe winters and high altitude. Such a climate imposes a very slow maturation upon the bud, an ecological factor essential to concentrating the essential oils at the very heart of the flower.
Harvest
The protection of the native down and aromatic integrity: the technical superiority of this 20 g lot shows in the velvety appearance and intact texture of every bud. Our specification requires a strict hand picking to preserve the outer perianth of the flower, entirely covered in a silky down of gray-green to silver. This natural ‘coat’ acts as a thermal shield for the plant, but above all serves as a protective case, locking in the highly aromatic volatile molecules (cineole, magnolin). The buds then undergo immediate drying in the shade at low temperature to prevent any evaporation.
Technical Data and Processing
Scientific Name
Magnolia biondii.
Principal Name
Magnolia Buds.
Traditional Name
Xin Yi Hua.
Origin
Funiu Mountains, Henan Province, China (a terroir of tradition).
Part Used
Flower buds dried while still closed (Extra Grade).
Format
20 g (a perfect downy volume, calibrated to fill your 80 ml jars beautifully).
Organoleptic Characteristics
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Appearance & TextureOvoid to pointed buds, covered in a silky green-gray down with silvery reflections. A dry, firm, light texture, releasing a powerful aromatic fragrance, fresh, woody and lightly camphorated.
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Batch controlTo the naked eye, the batch presents firm, pointed buds of great regularity, entirely free of mold or dust, exhaling a balsamic, piquant, fresh fragrance characteristic of the great botanical crus of Henan.
Brewing Parameters
01
Preparation (traditional decoction): For a 200 ml cup, use about 2 to 3 grams of buds (3 to 5 buds). Crush them lightly to release the essential oils within. The apothecary's golden rule: wrap the crushed buds in a small piece of gauze or a cotton bag before infusing. This holds back the fine silky down which, if dispersed into the liquor, could irritate the throat when tasting. Simmer covered in barely trembling water (85 °C-90 °C) for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain.
02
Profile and pairings: Its liquor offers pungent, refreshing aromatic notes. It pairs ideally with your Reishi slices from the Tianmu Mountains to open a tasting, or with a tear of Hojari frankincense from Dhofar to heighten the resinous facets.
03
Precautions for use: A raw product intended for adults. Not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. To be used with discernment by those sensitive to pollens or plant down. Keep the glass jar tightly closed, in a cool place away from direct humidity, to preserve the quality of its down and the fidelity of its volatile oils.
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