Pu-erh Tea

In Dai language, Yibang means “a place with tea trees and a water well.” Yibang Tea Mountain is located in the eastern part of Xiangming Township, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. To its north lies Mengwang Township of Jinghong City, to its south is Manzhuan Tea Mountain, to its west is Gedeng Tea Mountain, and to its east is Yi Wu. It is situated at the pivotal point along the ancient route connecting the six major Puer tea mountains to Sime Hall under Pu'er Prefecture. As the central hub of the ancient Tea Horse Road leading to Tibet, it played a significant role in the region's trade. In 1570 (the fourth year of the Longqing period of the Ming Dynasty), the Cheli Prefectural Office divided the area into twelve regions, combining the six major tea mountains with Zhengdong. The administrative center was set up in Yibang. After the establishment of Pu'er Prefecture in 1729 (the seventh year of the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty), the six major tea mountains came under its jurisdiction. Cao Dangzai was granted the position of local commander of Yibang for his military contributions and became responsible for managing the six major…...

Sheng (raw) Pu'er tea is made by naturally aging freshly picked tea leaves, a product of sun-dried tea that has not undergone the process of wet-piling fermentation. It is characterized by its bitterness that turns into a sweet aftertaste and its astringency that lingers, creating an endless charm. While much discussion often surrounds the benefits of ripe Pu'er tea, let's take a closer look at the wonders of raw Pu'er: 1. The Anti-Aging Secret of Beauties Sheng Pu'er tea shares many similarities with green tea, notably its antioxidant properties. In the minds of most people, antioxidants are synonymous with anti-aging. But what causes aging in the first place? It's all down to free radicals. The oxygen we inhale combines with fats and sugars in our bodies to produce energy, which fuels our daily activities. However, during this process, a small portion of oxygen transforms into free radicals, also known as oxidants. Remember from junior high chemistry that these can cause metals to rust? Imagine these free radicals running rampant through your body over time, causing it to "rust." Sheng Pu'er tea acts like a law enforcer, using its effective chemical components and various vitamins to neutralize these pesky free radicals.…...

Having quality tea requires proper storage to ensure the best color, aroma, and taste when consumed. Different types of teas, such as dark teas and Pu'er teas, can maximize their collection value when stored under the right conditions. So, to enjoy good tea, you also need to store it properly.Storing tea at home, are you doing it right? The main factors causing tea degradation include: One, light; Two, temperature; Three, moisture content of the tea; Four, air humidity; Five, oxygen; Six, microorganisms; Seven, odor contamination; The degradation caused by microorganisms is influenced by factors such as temperature, moisture, and oxygen, while odor contamination is related to the storage environment. The key to storing tea is to protect it from pressure, dampness, seal it, shield it from light, and prevent it from absorbing odors. Different types of teas require different storage methods based on their aging process and nature. White Tea White tea is the most original and simplest processed type of tea. White tea is durable in storage and its preservation is relatively environmentally friendly, not requiring low-temperature preservation; instead, it just needs to be kept away from odors at room temperature. Moreover, it has a certain potential for transformation…...

In fact, many people love tea, and Kunming is a relatively ideal region for storing tea. It's generally good for storing Pu'er tea, but storing Pu'er tea requires consideration from multiple aspects. Therefore, we will introduce the correct method of storing Pu'er tea in Kunming (also known as the Kunming warehouse). Kunming Warehouse (Photographed by National Tea Center) When storing Pu'er tea, people should first pay attention to keeping it away from items with strong odors, and secondly, avoid direct sunlight. However, what many do not realize is that the temperature and humidity of the storage space are also very important. According to one tea enthusiast, the room where they store their tea is on the second floor of a four-story duplex, with hardwood floors. The morning sun can slant into the room but does not directly shine on the tea, and after 10 am, the room no longer receives sunlight. According to statistics, in the area where the tea is piled, the average temperature/humidity during the rainy season (early May to early October) is: 28.5°C/72%, with the highest temperature/humidity being: 32°C/78%; during the dry season (late October to late April), the average temperature/humidity is: 20°C/48%, with the lowest temperature/humidity…...

Generally, it takes about 70 days for ripe Pu'er tea to fully mature through pile fermentation. Today, let's take a look at the characteristics of each stage during the fermentation process of ripe Pu'er tea. How long does the fermentation time for ripe Pu'er tea last? First maturity: Around 10 days. At this stage, if the ripe Pu'er tea is brewed, the leaves will be apricot yellow and soft, the liquor color will be apricot yellow with turbidity and fuzz, and the taste will mainly be bitter and astringent with a slight astringency in the sweetness. Second maturity: Approximately 18 days. At this stage, if the ripe Pu'er tea is brewed, the leaves will be light yellow and soft, the liquor color will be yellow and turbid with much fuzz, and the taste will mainly be bitter and astringent but with a faster return to sweetness. Third maturity: About 25 days. At this stage, if the ripe Pu'er tea is brewed, the leaves will turn slightly red with a yellow hue, the liquor color will be yellow with a faint red hue, and the taste will mainly be bitter and astringent with a quick return to sweetness, occurring around 20…...

Pu'er tea: How should it be stored for the best results? For tea intended for consumption in the short term, it is recommended to store it in a sealed aluminum bag. Open when breaking up the tea, and return it to the sealed bag after taking out what you need. In addition to sealed aluminum bags, you can also choose airtight glazed porcelain jars, tightly sealed tin cans, purple clay pots, etc., as long as the seal is secure, it will prevent excessive oxidation. Some people have the habit of storing broken tea leaves in a purple clay pot, but this might actually lead to excessive oxidation, diminishing the taste of the tea. This is because the tea in a purple clay pot comes into contact with oxygen, which can eliminate substances that cause off-flavors, bitterness, and sourness. However, if left for too long, it can lead to a dispersed texture and significant degradation of active compounds. Therefore, it is not recommended to store Pu'er tea in a purple clay pot for long-term preservation. How should Pu'er tea be stored long-term? First, store it in a sealed container in a clean, dark, and humidity-controlled environment. Second, compressed tea is preferred,…...

Summer Pruning of Tea Shoot Tips Hangzhou has already passed the plum rain season, and it is necessary to promptly conduct summer pruning of tea shoot tips in the West Lake Longjing tea gardens. For those that underwent heavy pruning before the end of April and have shown vigorous growth with summer shoots reaching over 50 centimeters in height, summer pruning can now be carried out. Purposes of pruning tea shoot tips: First, to control the height of the tea bushes and reduce the number of ineffective branches on summer shoots; second, to increase the density and improve the quality of autumn shoots; third, to decrease the flowering and fruiting of tea plants in autumn. Only by cultivating high-quality autumn shoots can we ensure a premium and high yield for next year's spring tea. Specific operations: Nutrition first, then cut. 1. Open trenches for top-dressing fertilizer application. Create shallow trenches 10-15 centimeters deep along the rows of tea plants, apply 30-50 kilograms per mu (about 0.067 hectares) of high-nitrogen compound fertilizer, and cover the soil after application. 2. Use a motorized double-person pruner or an electric single-person pruner to prune 20-25 centimeters above the previous cut. Special emphasis: Pay attention…...

Stored tea The storage time and conditions are crucial for the quality of tea, affecting its chemical components as well as its aroma, taste, and biological activity. Therefore, investigating the changes in chemical components during tea storage is of great significance to maintaining or improving tea quality and enhancing its economic benefits. One, Polyphenols Polyphenols are important bioactive substances separated and purified from tea leaves, accounting for 18% to 36% of the dry weight of tea. The changes and levels of polyphenols in Pu'er tea have a significant impact on its quality. Generally, polyphenols in Pu'er tea tend to decrease to varying degrees during natural storage. Feng Chaohao et al. found that the content of polyphenols in Pu'er tea decreases with extended storage time and higher temperatures, and the decline is more pronounced in teas with higher moisture content. Luo Longxin et al. discovered that the total polyphenol content tends to increase initially and then decrease later. Wang Yang's study showed that catechin content generally decreases, with raw cakes showing a larger and more noticeable change, while ripe cakes and loose tea show a relatively mild and less obvious change. Two, Amino Acids The content and composition of amino acids…...

Pu'er tea, due to its unique production process, is essentially a food product without an expiration date, much like wine. After a certain period of effective sealing, the tea undergoes natural fermentation. Over time, the quality and taste of Pu'er tea significantly improve. Therefore, the claim that Pu'er tea becomes more aromatic and enjoyable as it ages is entirely credible. As long as it's stored properly, older Pu'er tea becomes increasingly valuable. Is Pu'er Tea More Aromatic with Age? Generally speaking, Pu'er tea can be consumed immediately after production, but it has a rather strong flavor. As storage time increases, the taste becomes richer and smoother. Under specific storage conditions, Pu'er tea can be preserved for extended periods. During storage, Pu'er tea continues to ferment. Various components in the tea react with microorganisms through oxidation and polymerization, such as the slow reaction of polyphenols under the influence of enzymes to form fragrant compounds. The aroma evolves from a complex mix of scents to a single, rich aroma. The optimal storage time for raw Pu'er tea is 10 to 25 years, while for ripe Pu'er tea, it is 8 to 15 years. To achieve a rich flavor, it is recommended to…...

"The fragrance of Wenling tea has been enchanting for a thousand years." In recent years, Wenmao Village in Mawan Town has leveraged its resource advantages, using the 1,100-plus mu organic tea garden in the ancient Wenling tea garden area as a carrier. With a new development model of "Party organization + enterprise + cooperative + households," it has developed and nurtured distinctive industries, constantly explored new paths for integrated development of tea and tourism, broadened channels for farmers to increase their income and become prosperous, enhanced the soft power of rural collective economy, enabled farmers to find employment nearby, and significantly improved living standards. Firstly, transforming thinking to achieve a leap in management. Unlike the past practices of self-management, self-picking, self-processing, and self-sales, in the ancient Wenling tea garden area, the owners of the thousand-mu tea gardens lease their land to enterprises. The enterprises then manage and pick the ancient tea gardens uniformly, employing local residents to pick tea from individual trees and large trees, and processing and selling the tea according to different categories of tea trees. This management model reduces production costs and increases income for tea farmers, gradually changing their operating methods and concepts, and enhancing their…...

Yunnan Puer tea is typically harvested according to the seasons, dividing it into spring, summer, and autumn teas. It can also be classified into raw and ripe teas based on its processing method. It's often said that spring tea is as precious as gold due to its early harvest, high price, and superior quality. In contrast, autumn tea is less popular because it's not as high-quality as spring tea. So, what are the differences between Puer spring tea and autumn tea? Puer Spring Tea or Autumn Tea: Which is Better? Spring tea can be divided into "Tea before the Ming Festival," "Tea before the Rain Festival," and "Late Spring Tea." Tea before the Ming Festival refers to spring tea produced before the Qingming Festival, collectively known as early spring tea. In this regard, Yunnan Puer tea is unique since ancient tree teas mostly grow in high-altitude mountains, so the harvesting schedule depends on the specific conditions of the tea mountain. "Three days early is a treasure, three days late is grass" emphasizes the importance of timing. To ensure the quality of spring tea, every step from picking to production and sale must race against time. This allows for an early…...

Building a Pu'er tea home storage room has always been a challenging issue for many novice tea enthusiasts. Clean, shaded from light, moisture-proof, and odor-free, it needs to ensure breathability while preventing excessive oxidation. Different solutions are required for long-term and short-term storage, and choosing and using the right tea storage containers can be difficult... Today, this article by Lu Li aims to solve various problems related to storing tea at home for novice tea enthusiasts. Long-Term Storage The first principle of building a Pu'er tea home storage room is to store the tea in a clean, shaded from light, moisture-proof, and stable environment while regularly monitoring and adjusting the temperature and humidity of the room. Temperature: The temperature for storing Pu'er tea should generally be around 18-32°C; temperatures too high or too low are detrimental to the aging process. Avoid direct exposure to air conditioning, quartz lamps, and sunlight. Humidity: Relative humidity should be kept around 55%-75%; too high or too low a humidity level is also not conducive to the transformation of Pu'er tea. A hygrometer can be purchased to accurately monitor changes in humidity within the room. Tea enthusiasts in the north need to pay particular attention…...