Mushrooms sizzling with ginger and garlic before the dark tea is poured over them, the steam carrying a note of undergrowth: Dammann Frères’ Pu-Erh Tea Bags, a deep Chinese dark tea hinting at chimney smoke and licorice, become a savory broth for noodles.

Serves 4 · 30 min

  1. Steep 3 Pu-Erh tea bags in 4 cups (1 liter) of water at 194°F (90°C) for 5 minutes, then remove them.
  2. In a large pot, sauté 7 oz (200 g) of sliced mushrooms in 1 tbsp of oil with 1 tbsp of grated ginger and 1 minced garlic clove for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour in the tea and 2 tbsp of soy sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Add 2 heads of baby bok choy, halved, and cook for 3 minutes.
  5. Divide 7 oz (200 g) of cooked noodles among 4 bowls, ladle the broth over them and finish with sliced scallions.

The star of this recipe: Pu-Erh Tea Bags, by Dammann Frères.

— Clipperton