 |
Deep in the
heart of southwestern China the ancient tea mountains
and forest regions north and south of the Lancang (
Mekong ) River ( in and around the
tropical Xishuangbanna region of southern Yunnan
province ) are home to Pu-erh tea. This post-fermented
tea is one of China’s most unusual specialties. Pu-erh
is primarily made into compressed, flat cakes of tea,
although some loose-leaf versions of Pu-erh are also
made. This style of tea making began during the Tang
dynasty ( 618-907 ) when tea was traded for horses
with people who lived along China’s borders. Tea
trading became so important that the Tea Horse Route
was established from southern Yunnan up over the
mountains into Tibet and beyond. Caravans of men and
horses endured perilous journeys that took as long as
six months in each direction to reach their
destination over dangerous and isolated mountain
routes.
|
|
The most
sought after versions of Pu-erh are made from leaf
that has been plucked from ancient tea trees that are
over 100 years of age and are 20-30 feet tall. The
manufacturing process used to make Pu-erh tea is very
different from that of other Chinese teas. Pu-erh tea
cakes, also known as beeng cha,
are made in two versions:
raw
sheng (natural post-fermentation) and
ripe shou (artificial, accelerated
fermentation). Sheng Pu-erh
is the most prized; collectors and tea enthusiasts
purchase young cakes to set aside to mellow and age
over the years into something magnificent and rich in flavor, much as
wine collectors do with bottles of fine wine. Shou Pu-erh is made for immediate drinking and is the
most common style of Pu-erh enjoyed by households across
China. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As in the past, the leaf for making the best
Pu-erh tea cakes is collected from the forests of
the 26 tea mountains and tea growing areas. Here,
botanically unique broad leaf arbor trees known as
Yunnan Dayeh ( a variant of Camellia Sinensis var.
assamica ) produce large-sized buds and leaves
which contribute to the unique flavor and nature
of traditional Pu-erh teas. Tea trees and bushes
of several different ages make up the complexion
of these tea growing regions:
1.
Ancient tea trees ( qiao mu ) – those
over 100 years old
2. Old tea trees ( da shu cha ) – those less than 100 years old
3. Small tea trees ( xiao qiao mu ) –
trees that are 50-100 years old
4. Cultivated tea bushes ( tai di cha ) -
newly cultivated tea bushes that are less than 50 years
old
Most
beeng cha is made from a blend of raw leaf
material that features a percentage of old leaf,
not a predominance of it, and a balance of leaf to
buds. Pu-erh enthusiasts look for cakes that are
carefully blended from good quality leaf that will
transform and age into splendid tea with a
well-honed balance of astringency, woodsy flavor
and sweetness. All the components of taste should
be harmonious and smooth.
Each spring, buds emerge and new leaves unfold in
the early days of pre-Qing Ming spring ( before
May 5th ) and growth continues until the end of
summer. As with other classes of Chinese tea, the
best teas are those made from fresh, tender first
of the season leaves and buds.
All Pu-erh is pressed from mao cha,
fresh leaf material that is de-enzymed to remove
excess moisture by a kill-green step
in a wood-fired tea firing pan; it is then rolled and
twisted by hand to stimulate enzyme action within
the leaf, and finally the mao cha is sun-dried into a
semi-finished state.
Pu-erh tea is made in 2 distinct styles - sheng
and shou - and most of it is compressed
into flat, round cakes or discs ( beeng cha
), nests ( tuo cha ), squares or
rectangular pieces. A small amount of loose-leaf
Pu-erh is also made. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sheng Pu-erh is traditional style Pu-erh. The
majority of sheng Pu-erh is compressed into
beeng cha ( round, flat discs ) or tuo
cha ( nests). Sheng Pu-erh is naturally
fermented, and can be drunk young or aged. When
young, the tea is sweet, woodsy, and clean
tasting. When aged, sheng Pu-erh is rich,
beefy, earthy and substantial. Aged sheng
Pu-erh is the favorite of Asian tea enthusiasts:
the better quality the tea ( or the blend of mao
cha ) and the older the tea is, the more desirable
and expensive the Pu-erh will be. Aging Pu-erh
allows the magic of natural fermentation to work
its magic on the flavor of the tea. It is not
uncommon for very old sheng Pu-erh beeng
cha ( those with several decades under their belt
) to fetch prices that range from several hundred
to nearly a thousand dollars per beeng cha.
Sheng
Pu-erh is said to have the following distinct
characteristics:
• High-mountain arbor tea tree leaves
• A profusion of spring buds and large leaf
• Sun-dried mao cha
• Taste that is sweet and distinctive
• Refinement of age from the effects of
post-fermentation on the tea
• Strong cha-qi (positive energy from a good
environment and careful manufacture) |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unfamiliar with the specific tea growing mountains
and regions of Yunnan ? Then a tuo cha or
beeng cha pressed from blended mao cha can
be the perfect answer to take the guess work out
of the decision. Blended for well-rounded,
harmonious flavor, our blended sheng
offerings are pleasing to novice and
enthusiast-level Pu-erh drinkers alike.
Nest-shaped tuo-cha Pu-erh is a compact,
handy, complete unit of tea that is perfect for
taking with you to work or on holiday; and they
make terrific gifts as well. Choose several for
comparison and you will soon be on your way to
discovering the beguiling flavors of sheng
Pu-erh. Large or small in size, sheng
Pu-erh can be drunk now or successfully stored and
aged for decades. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
click on tea photos
for more info |
BLENDED PU-ERH |
|
|
|
 |
5th
Anniversary Tea Cake |
approximately 375 grams
35.00
Buy
|
 |
'Gold/ Red
Ribbon' Jia Ji Premium
Sun-Dried Leaf Tuo Cha |
approximately 100 grams
6.99
Buy
|
 |
'Silver'
Sun-Dried Leaf Tuo Cha |
approximately 100 grams
6.99
Buy
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
^
Return to Top |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
click on tea photos
for more info |
CAKE
BREAKING TOOLS |
|
|
|
 |
Cake
Breaking Tools |
Bamboo Tray
o/s
Buy
|
Stainless Steel Splitter
25.00
Buy
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
^
Return to Top |
|

Shou
Pu-erh is a modern invention, dating only from
the 1970's. It was created in response to requests
from tea drinkers for a Pu-reh that was ready to
drink when purchased and that offered a bold, hearty
taste. Shou Pu-erh met that demand. This is
accomplished by manipulating the mao cha in the tea
factory in an 'accelerated process.' Shou
Pu-erh will keep for several years although it will
not age and undergo the natural changes the way a
sheng Pu-erh does.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Often sold in China but uncommon in
the West, loose-leaf Pu-erh is an easy way
to steep a delicious cup of Pu-erh. Most
loose-leaf Pu-erh is shou Pu-erh which
provides quick, no-fuss steeping. Selections such
as ours that have aged for a few years are the
perfect choice for a forthright, deep, earthy
flavor any time of day at home or at work.
Loose-leaf shou Pu-erh cannot be aged
as long as compressed shou Pu-erh, but it
will age and keep well for several years, not
decades. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
click on tea photos
for more info |
LOOSE
LEAF PU-ERH |
1/4 lb |
1/2 lb |
lb |
 |
Aged
Yunnan
Organic |
12.50
Buy |
25.00
Buy |
50.00
Buy |
 |
Aged
Yunnan
Tribute Grade
Organic |
17.50
Buy |
35.00
Buy |
70.00
Buy |
 |
Ba Da 'Ba
Ba Cha'
Pu-erh Bundles |
|
1
bundle / approximately
45-50 grams
7.50
Buy |
|
 |
Pu-erh Nuggets
from ancient tea trees |
15.00
Buy |
30.00
Buy |
60.00
Buy |
 |
Tribute Grade |
o/s
Buy |
o/s
Buy |
o/s
Buy |
| |
|
| |
|
|
^
Return to Top |
|
|
|
|
This style of compressed Pu-erh (
modern-style accelerated fermentation ) is ready
to drink now or will keep well for 5 or 6 years.
Shou Pu-erh is perfect for tea enthusiasts
who enjoy the ritual of opening and breaking up a
beeng cha but want tea that is drinkable now. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
click on tea photos
for more info |
SHOU PU-ERH |
|
|
|
 |
Special Purchase
Menghai Langhe Tea
Factory Cake |
approximately 375 grams
30.00
23.50
Buy
|
 |
Nannuo Golden Buds
Tea Cake |
approximately 375 grams
o/s
Buy
|
 |
Yun Xiang Tea Cake |
approximately 500 grams
32.00
Buy
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
^
Return to Top |
|
|

|

|
| |
|
|
|