The contemporary tea label Eduard/ from Berlin invites you on a fascinating journey of discovery into a largely unknown tea terroir. Following its first collection featuring teas from the Himalayas, founder and tea sommelier Eduardo Molina is now turning his attention to South America: The new Eduard/ Andes Collection brings together exceptional specialty teas from two regions located extremely close to the equator but in two different hemispheres, Colombia in the north and Peru in the south. Stretching from Colombia to Chile, the Andes span nearly 9,000 kilometers through deserts, icy peaks, and rainforests. Since tea made its way from Asia to the South American mountains in the early 20th century, it has scarcely conquered any other parts of the world, until now.
At altitudes of 1,500 to 2,500 meters above sea level, the tea plants grow under intense equatorial sunlight and cool mountain air. Instead of the classic four seasons, the rhythm of the harvest is determined by the dynamic alternation of rainy and dry seasons. The pronounced temperature fluctuations between warm days and cool nights slow leaf growth and give the teas in this collection an unparalleled complexity, elegance, and aromatic depth.
Oxidation: Nature Meets Craftsmanship
After harvest, tea leaves darken when exposed to air and change their aroma. Tea producers make deliberate use of this oxidation process: rolling the leaves accelerates it, while heat stops it. From pure green tea to fully oxidized black tea, the Andes Collection reveals a spectrum of colors and oxidation levels that reflects a spirit of experimentation, intuition, and the knowledge passed down through generations.
The Andes Collection highlights two fascinating producer stories that are now making the leap to modern, premium teas:
● Colombia (Valle del Cauca, Bitaco): From the country’s only remaining tea plantation in the misty Valle del Cauca of the Western Andes. Our partner, Agrícola Himalaya, transformed traditional black tea production into select specialty teas, which are now managed by six sisters, all named María.
● Peru (Valle de Huayopata, Huyro): From the jungle-covered mountains of the Huyro Valley near the historic Inca capital of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Our partner, Madre Térra—now in its fourth generation—harvests tea plants, some of which grow wild, in the shade of the rainforest (agroforestry). These plants were introduced to Peru in the 1940s and have since been reclaimed by nature.
An Overview of the Teas in the Andes Collection
Verde Esmeralda (Green Tea, Colombia)
● Character & Aroma: Delicate tropical fruits, creamy and fresh.
● Description: The everyday tea of this collection, harvested at an altitude of 1,900 meters from the first leaves of 2026. The leaves are prevented from oxidizing using dry heat, which preserves their mellow flavor and gives them a vibrant green color reminiscent of the emeralds native to the region. A lively and wonderfully balanced green tea from the Colombian High Andes.
● Terroir & Partner: Bitaco, Valle del Cauca / Agrícola Himalaya.
Nieve Andina (White Tea, Colombia)
● Character & Aroma: Fruity, gentle woody notes, natural sweetness.
● Description: A highly innovative white tea grown at an altitude of 2,000 meters, named after the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. The tea leaves are exposed to the natural oxidation process slightly longer than is typical for white teas. After processing, the dried leaves continue to mature for another six months, which deepens their character, lends surprising depth to the light amber-colored cup, and rounds out the flavor profile.
● Terroir & Partner: Bitaco, Valle del Cauca / Agrícola Himalaya.
Wulong Suka (Oolong Tea, Peru)
● Character & Aroma: Floral, fruity, Andean minerality, subtle roasted notes.
● Description: The rarest and most exclusive tea in the collection, grown at the highest elevation in the collection—over 2,100 meters. Named after Satuka “Suka” Salazar, the grandmother at Madre Térra, who was the first to boldly conceive the idea of experimenting with oolong processing in the Andes. Careful, light oxidation creates a complex aroma that unfolds with every sip.
● Terroir & Partner: Harvested in Apuntinya, Huayopata Valley (over 2,000 m) / Madre Térra.
Sumaq Yaku (Black Tea, Peru)
● Character & Aroma: Full-bodied, leather, honey, floral lightness.
● Description: The name means “Beautiful Water” in the indigenous Quechua language. In the Huayopata Valley at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the same tea plants that were brought to Peru in the 1940s still grow today, thriving freely beneath the trees of the rainforest. This fully oxidized black tea is a rediscovered treasure that reflects its diverse environment and is reminiscent of rich forest teas.
● Terroir & Partner: Huyro, Valle de Huayopata / Madre Térra.
The First Tea Blend: Authentic Regional Identity
With the Andes Collection, Eduard/ is also introducing its first original tea blend. The tea label views blends as a valuable tool for representing the character and culture of a growing region even more authentically. Eduard/ deliberately avoids artificial flavorings and instead relies on natural, regional ingredients that authentically reflect the terroir. And what represents Colombia more impressively in culinary terms than coffee? Based on this philosophy, a very special tea creation complements the lineup:
Besos de Café (Tea-Coffee Creation, Colombia)
● Description: Coffee arrived in Colombia before tea—today, both have a firm place in the country’s rich culinary landscape. True to the motto “What grows together goes together,” this unconventional tea blend is a harmonious combination of roasted coffee beans and black tea grown at an altitude of 1,800 meters, bridging the gap between tea and coffee lovers.
● Terroir & Partner: Bitaco, Valle del Cauca / Agrícola Himalaya.
