Yunnan

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…

In the variety of tea categories, spring tea is renowned for its superior quality with the saying “an ounce of spring tea is worth an ounce of gold,” while Pu'er tea values “age.” So, should Pu'er tea also pursue spring tea? 1What is Spring Tea? Spring tea refers to the first buds and leaves that emerge from the tea plant after winter, typically collected from after the Start of Spring to before the Grain Rain. Due to the temperate climate and abundant rainfall in spring, the tea plants accumulate rich nutrients during the winter dormancy period. As a result, spring tea often features plump buds and tender leaves with intense aroma and refreshing taste. For green tea, oolong tea, and other teas that are not fermented or only semi-fermented, spring tea is undoubtedly the best choice, as these types emphasize fresh, crisp mouthfeel and brisk aroma. However, for Pu'er tea, choosing spring tea serves more purposes than just these two aspects. 2Pu'er Tea: Unique Charm of Aging Pu'er tea is divided into raw (sheng) Pu'er and ripe (shou) Pu'er, both of which share the characteristic of improving in quality over time through aging. The charm of Pu'er tea lies in…

In recent years, the Jinggu Autonomous County of the Dai and Yi Nationalities has been working hard to build up renowned ancient tea mountains such as Yangta, Lianhe, Kuzhushan, Bolin, Nanban, and Wenzhe. The county has accelerated organic certification for tea plantations, leading to a continuous increase in the economic benefits of the tea industry. Currently, Fengshan Town in Jinggu County has 30,300 mu of tea plantations, producing 1,080 tons of tea annually, with a total output value of 85.76 million yuan. Among these, 6,000 mu are ancient tree tea plantations, yielding 108 tons of tea with an output value of 20.52 million yuan. Nancuishan and Dingbashan are two ancient tea mountains in Wenzhe Village, Fengshan Town. In 2024, Wenzhe Village became a practice site for the Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Tea Culture Research Association’s Wisdom Cloud Ridge initiative, while the ancient tea garden on Dingbashan became a teaching base for Pu'er tea species research. Bolin Village in Fengshan Town is also a village that relies on tea production. It has a total of over 6,000 mu of tea plantations. Among these, more than 1,500 mu are ancient tree tea plantations over 100 years old, over 3,000 mu are large tree…

From September 27 to November 6, 1989, Li Xu, one of the "Six Gentlemen of the Tea Horse Road," set out from Kunming alone or by hitchhiking and hiking, traveling through Tiger Leaping Gorge – Zhongdian – Deqin – Yanjing – Mangkang – Zuo Gong – Bangda – Baxoi – Ranwu – Bomi – Lhasa – Shannan, arriving in Xigaze, completing the first journey on the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road. Graduate students have an opportunity for an "academic visit" before writing their master's thesis, with a research fee of five hundred yuan. I was preparing to head to Tibet. My thesis was about literature and death, a question that had troubled me since childhood. I thought some enlightenment or answers would be found on that road. I had to continue from Lijiang and Zhongdian, following the path once trodden by mule trains. That road haunted my dreams. In 1986, while working as a lecturer in Zhongdian, I had already traveled extensively around northwest Yunnan, and so I spent all my time thinking about going further. During the summer vacation, I participated in the college entrance examination grading and earned 140 yuan. After piecing together 900 yuan, I borrowed some photographic…

At the tea table, ancient tree tea is a topic that never runs out of conversation. It represents a niche market within Pu'er teas and stands for the highest quality of Yunnan Pu'er teas. The rise in popularity of ancient tree tea has inevitably brought about controversies and differing opinions. To better understand ancient tree tea, let's explore these three lesser-known facts that reveal the true nature of this special tea. 1. Why is a century-old age used as the dividing line for ancient tree tea? Setting any specific point in time as the dividing line between ancient and younger trees presents an unavoidable issue – the quality of the tea leaves does not undergo a qualitative change at the moment it crosses that line. Due to wars, epidemics, and other reasons during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, tea production in Yunnan suffered greatly, and planting of tea trees was largely halted for several decades. Using a century as the dividing line for ancient tree tea effectively spans several decades, and the difference in age between such trees results in discernible differences in quality. Therefore, setting the standard for ancient tree tea at a century old is…

Autumn is a season of gradually decreasing temperatures and increasing day-night temperature differences. Days are sunny, while nights become progressively colder. This climate has a significant impact on the human body. As temperatures drop, our metabolism slows down, and the immune system becomes relatively weaker, making us more susceptible to infections from external pathogens. Additionally, cold weather can cause dry skin and increase the likelihood of catching a cold. During this transition from autumn to winter, when cold invades, it's also the best time to drink tea. Drinking more tea in late autumn not only helps us adapt to changes in temperature but also offers numerous health benefits. Let's delve into why we should drink more tea during the autumn and winter seasons, and perhaps discover which type of tea you might prefer. What Kinds of Tea Should You Drink in Autumn? 1. Aged Teas: Pu'er, White Tea, Dark Tea ① Aged teas have a gentle nature and ample tea energy, helping the body expel dampness through sweating. Therefore, when drinking aged teas, use large cups or bowls, and always consume them hot. ② The microorganisms and beneficial bacteria in aged teas act as regulators for the digestive tract. ③…

The Huangjiazhai Ancient Tea Park is located in Huangjiazhai, Mangshui Community, Mangshui Town, Changning County. It has a typical temperate climate with an average elevation of 1780 meters, an annual average temperature of 16.9°C, and an average annual rainfall of 1463 millimeters. The soil type is a typical slightly acidic red loam and yellow loam, providing ideal climatic and soil conditions for the growth of ancient tea trees. In the midst of the summer solstice, braving the drizzling rain, we followed the winding mountain road to the Huangjiazhai Ancient Tea Park. After being washed by the rain, the trees and flowers appeared particularly vibrant, and the fresh cool air swept away any signs of fatigue. The Huangjiazhai Ancient Tea Park has a long history of tea cultivation. Here, there are the best-preserved ancient tea tree clusters and the high-quality local variety, Huangjiazhai Large-Leaf Tea (Mangshui Origin Tea). The total area of the ancient tea tree cluster is 33 hectares, with 9,338 ancient tea trees in 21 small plots and 2,026 individual trees, totaling 11,364 trees, including 3 wild-type ancient tea trees and 11,361 cultivated-type ancient tea trees. These trees produce 20 tons of dried tea annually. Relying on the ancient…

As a minimally processed tea, white tea is often referred to in folk sayings as “a year’s tea, three years’ medicine, seven years’ treasure.” Previously, when people mentioned “white tea,” the first thing that came to mind for many was Fuding white tea. However, in recent years, the use of Yunnan large-leaf tea to make white tea, combining large-leaf varieties with white tea processing techniques, has become a hot topic and an innovation in the tea market. As one of the simplest teas to process among the six major categories (green, yellow, oolong, white, black, and dark), white tea is neither rolled nor kneaded; it relies solely on basic processes such as withering and drying, which preserve the natural woody fragrance of the tea to a great extent. In terms of craft, some believe that white tea merely requires slow withering followed by drying, leaving the rest to time. However, this is not entirely accurate. The simpler the process, the more factors there are to consider. This is something Du Jingjing, a 29-year-old tea maker from Shuangjiang, understands well. Du Jingjing loves drinking white tea, but most white tea available on the market is made from small-leaf varieties. According to…

Expanding the tea territory for three thousand miles, and stirring up events for several hundred years. Starting point of the ancient path, source of tribute tea, the master of the six mountains. Geographical Location of Yiwu Yiwu Town is located in the north of Mengla County, 111 kilometers away from the county seat of Mengla, and 122 kilometers away from Jinghong, the seat of the prefecture. To the east, it borders Laos with a national border of 100 kilometers. To the north, it neighbors Zhen Dong Town of Jiangcheng County. To the south, it connects with Menglun Town and Yaoqu Township. To the west, it faces Xiangming Township. A Brief Discussion on Yiwu, Seven Villages and Eight Hamlets: The origin of Yiwu tea is in Yiwu Township, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Yiwu is actually a large tea area, and its tea is mainly distributed across the “Seven Villages and Eight Hamlets.” The seven villages are Mahēi Village, Gaoshan Village, Luoshuidong Village, Manxiu Village, Sanhe She Village, Yibi Village, and Mansa Village. The eight hamlets are Guafengzhai, Dingjiazhai (Yao Ethnic Group), Dingjiazhai (Han Ethnic Group), Jiemiao Village, Luodezhai, Dazhai, Zhangjiawanzhai, and Xinzhai. The Yiwu tea area is one of…

Mid-age tea is almost an unavoidable topic for all Pu'er tea enthusiasts. We savor our beloved mid-age teas, keep an eye on those with potential, seek out the ones that capture our hearts, and purchase the ones that catch our attention. So, what is it about mid-age tea that fascinates us? Why do we buy mid-age tea? One Common Reason from Many Tea Lovers Recently, we at Yi Pin Tea Club prepared for our sixth crowdfunding event. To choose a tea that would satisfy most of our members, we conducted a small survey to gather their opinions. The survey was straightforward – What would you like to see crowdfunded? There were three options: A. Find a newly made raw Pu'er; B. Find a 5-10 year aged raw Pu'er; C. Find an 11-15 year aged raw Pu'er. According to the feedback, most people chose option B or C, with more opting for C. This indicates that tea lovers prefer to buy Pu'er tea aged over ten years, also known as mid-age tea. In fact, looking back at the previous five crowdfunding events by Yi Pin Tea Club, the last three teas crowdfunded were mid-age teas. Therefore, we narrowed our search 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…

China is the birthplace of tea and the cradle of its culture. The vast distribution of tea-growing regions in China yields a rich variety of teas, each with its own distinctive techniques passed down through generations. In recent years, the coordinated development of tea culture, industry, and technology has had a significant impact on economic and social growth. This humble leaf continually exhibits new vitality. In late May, clouds shroud Tongmu Village in Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, located within the Wuyi Mountain National Nature Reserve. Here, tea plants grow freely, narrating a tale of vibrant life amidst tranquility. Teas produced within a 500-mile radius around Tongmu Village are known as “Zhengshan Xiaozhong.” Liang Junde, a provincial inheritor of Zhengshan Xiaozhong black tea-making skills, states, “Great mountains and waters produce great teas. Chinese teas like Zhengshan Xiaozhong are products of excellent ecosystems.” If climate and environment bestow natural advantages, then time-honored tea-making techniques ensure consistently high quality. Fixation, cooling, rolling... At the recent exhibition “Ancient Wuzhou Jinhua: A City’s Scenery and a Pot of Tea,” held at the China Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum), Pan jintu, a municipal inheritor of Wuzhou Julu Rock Tea production…

Chinese tea culture is the culture of tea production and consumption in China. China is the birthplace of tea, and it is said that Chinese people began to discover and utilize tea during the time of the legendary Shennong, which is no less than 4,700 years ago. To this day, among the Han people, there is a custom of using tea as a gift, and there are unique tea-drinking characteristics in places like Yunnan. As one of the seven daily necessities (firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea), drinking tea was very common in ancient China. Drinking tea can prolong life, beautify the body, and maintain health. So what components are in tea? And what benefits do they provide? Tea polyphenols are the most abundant soluble components in tea and are the primary substances responsible for its health and wellness benefits. The most typical representative is catechin (polyphenol), which has multiple effects including antioxidant (elimination of oxygen free radicals), reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowering of blood lipids, reduction of body fat formation, and modification of gut microbiota ecology. 1. Tea can reduce the risk and mortality of cardiovascular diseases According to research reports, Japanese researchers…

Did you know? The quality and taste of Pu'er spring tea are excellent, with better tenderness than ordinary teas. This can be seen from the buds of dry tea leaves, where ancient tree teas have short and dense buds that aren’t plump. Additionally, the leaf shapes of Pu'er spring tea do not conform to a high degree of regularity. Compared to summer tea, which has longer and thinner stalks, and autumn tea, which is fatter and more downy, spring tea appears more compact and robust, with less regularity in shape. If you have the opportunity to visit tea regions in Yunnan personally, you will find that the fresh leaves of ancient tree teas of the arbor type have a lot of down, feeling like velvet when touched, with very good texture. Moreover, after brewing well-processed dry tea, the leaves at the bottom are full and leathery, without any dryness. Differentiating Pu'er Spring Tea One: Observe From the leaf shapes, ancient tree teas show better tenderness. By comparing dry tea leaves, it can be found that most of the buds of ancient tree teas are quite short and not plump, with dense buds. Most Pu'er spring teas do not have a…

 Pu'er tea enthusiasts who understand the nuances of Pu'er tea often prefer ancient tree tea, but why is that so? After all, tea is meant to be enjoyed, and those who appreciate its flavor naturally gravitate towards it. The primary reason so many aficionados favor ancient tree tea is simply because of how enjoyable it is. But what exactly are we savoring when we drink ancient tree tea? Let’s explore this topic in this article. One: Drinking Ecology and Health ① Large Age, Optimal Growth Environment, and Rich Internal Substances Ancient tea trees, due to their great age (commonly considered over 100 years old, although some say 70 years or more), have deep-rooted systems that absorb a greater variety of minerals and nutrients compared to regular plantation teas or younger trees. In general, Yunnan Province boasts an excellent ecological environment with low pollution levels and high vegetation coverage, which has helped preserve biodiversity. The fresh leaves used to make ancient tree tea come from the deep mountains where various ethnic minorities reside, areas that are even more ecologically pristine, some of which could be described as true hidden paradises. Thus, every leaf of processed ancient tree tea captures the essence…

Do you have the habit of drinking black tea regularly? Today, we're brewing some black tea!This is No. 1 Gongfu Black Tea from China Tea, a Yunnan large-leaf variety of gongfu black tea. Its raw materials are selected from Fengqing, offering a rather clear and sweet taste upon entry. Now, let's proceed with the brewing process. We've already cleaned the teaware. When brewing Dian Hong black tea, there's one thing to note: black tea doesn't like excessively high temperatures. If the temperature in the cup is too high, it can cause the tea to become sour. So, this is something to keep in mind. Taking tea: We'll use 5 grams of tea here. Adding tea: Next, we add the tea. Rinsing tea: The water temperature for rinsing doesn't need to be too high. Rinse for about 5 seconds, and you can pour out the rinse water. The color of the tea broth is a reddish-yellow hue; as you can see, it's very clear and bright, a beautiful color. The aroma from the cup is mainly floral, with honey notes being slightly weaker. Pouring water: Pour the water slowly, making sure the stream is especially fine. Similarly, after about 5 seconds,…

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication for Yunnan large-leaf white tea. The simplest definition of Yunnan white tea can be quite literal, meaning "white tea from Yunnan." However, this can often lead to misunderstandings. For example, does it refer to "white tea produced in Yunnan" or "white tea made from Yunnan tea leaves"? Is it "a tea that appears white" or "a tea processed using white tea methods?" There are many teas on the market called white tea, and the concepts can easily become confusing. Even today, some people still think of Anji white tea when they hear "white tea," which is clearly an inaccurate definition that can lead to misunderstandings. Therefore, before accurately defining Yunnan white tea, we need to establish a standard to rely on. Although there is no national standard for Yunnan white tea yet, since Yunnan white tea belongs to the category of Chinese teas, the standard it relies on is the traditional white tea among the six major tea categories. In his article "Theory and Practice of Tea Classification" published in the "Tea Industry Bulletin" in 1978, Professor Chen Chuan pointed out: "Based on the system of production methods and quality, as well as customary classification,…

"Yibin Early Tea" and "Sichuan Red Congou" are two prominent brands of Yibin tea. Let's delve into the history of Yibin's "Sichuan Red Congou" black tea. "Sichuan Red Congou" Black Tea The topography of Yibin City is generally higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast, with mountains and hills dominating and scattered plains. The city is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and streams, all belonging to the Yangtze River system, providing abundant water resources. Yibin is located in the East Asian monsoon climate zone and in a transitional area from the Sichuan Basin to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Its climate has regional characteristics and also features a vertical climate ranging from subtropical to warm temperate, making it highly suitable for tea cultivation. Except for mountainous areas above 1,500 meters in altitude, the entire city of Yibin is suitable for tea planting, truly demonstrating that "good mountains and good waters produce fine tea!" To talk about the history of Yibin's "Sichuan Red Congou" black tea, we must first discuss the history of tea production in Yibin. Yibin has a long history of tea production spanning over three thousand years. The Book of Huayang Yibin was known as Bo Dao in ancient…

Ice Island Nannuo ancient tree tea is a special type of tea, hailed as a "precious rarity in the tea world." It is harvested and processed from ancient tea trees in the Nannuo region of Ice Island, hence its name. This article will detail the origin, characteristics, manufacturing process, and brewing method of this tea: Origin: The Nannuo region of Ice Island is located in Yunnan Province, China, and is known as the "jewel of the tea world." Its unique climate and soil conditions have nurtured abundant tea tree resources, with a particular fame for ancient tree teas. Here, the average age of tea trees is over 300 years, with very few reaching an age of over 500 years. Characteristics: With an average age of over 300 years, these tea trees grow in a stable and superior environment, resulting in thick and full leaves with high water content in the buds. The tea processed from these carefully picked leaves has a distinctive flavor and mouthfeel. Manufacturing Process: Harvesting, withering, fixation, rolling, and drying. Brewing Method: Prepare clean tea utensils, such as a lidded bowl or a fairness cup. Place an appropriate amount of tea into the vessel and rinse it…

When we think of tea, we are enveloped in a sense of greenness, freshness, and subtle fragrance. Born between heaven and earth, tea absorbs the essence of nature and the vitality of the sun and moon, evoking feelings of tranquility and simplicity. The essence of tea lies in its "youth," from the picking of a single leaf to the processes of fixation and sun drying, culminating in the delicate aroma on our tongues. But how many different meanings does "youth" hold within the world of tea? 1 Fixation / The First Step in Becoming Tea The fresh, grassy flavor is an inherent characteristic of natural plants, and it's unavoidable in tea. In the production process of Pu'er tea, fixation is used to remove this grassy taste through thermal chemical changes, evaporating moisture and allowing the grassy flavor to diminish, revealing the tea's aroma. Fixation, as the term suggests, involves the "killing" of the "youth," where "youth" refers to the fresh, green leaves. Fixation destroys the structure of these fresh leaves, and the process involves applying high temperatures to rapidly transform the internal components of the leaves. As we know, enzymes are substances found in tea, biological macromolecules with catalytic functions…

Good black tea can certainly be brewed with boiling water. Under the stimulation of high temperatures, aromatic substances at various boiling points are fully released. This not only allows us to enjoy a rich and complex aroma but also delivers a fresh, sweet, and full-bodied taste, presenting the true flavor of black tea. Should Black Tea Be Brewed With Boiling Water? In everyday tea brewing, we have all likely experienced this: the same tea, with the same amount of leaves, produces completely different aromas and flavors when brewed with different water temperatures. This can lead one to mistakenly believe they are tasting two entirely different teas. Clearly, the temperature of the water has a direct and significant impact on how the characteristics of the tea are presented. The principle behind this is straightforward: water temperature directly influences the extraction of compounds within the tea leaves. Of course, this is also directly related to the tightness or looseness of the tea leaves and their maturity. Higher water temperatures cause more rapid extraction from looser tea leaves, potentially leading to a bitter or sour taste; lower water temperatures result in slower extraction from tighter, coarser leaves, resulting in a thinner and less…

The primary significance of blending tea leaves is to ensure the quality stability of large batches of raw tea. Different characteristics among similar types of tea can complement each other, achieving optimal quality and enhancing the economic value of the raw tea. Moreover, blended tea ensures that every batch produced has a consistent taste and appearance, with relatively stable quality characteristics. Advantages of Blended Tea: 1. Large factories comprehensively procure raw materials, purchasing spring, summer, and autumn teas together, which helps save costs. 2. The taste is rich and layered, solid and substantial. 3. Combining the strengths of different teas results in a more fragrant and lasting aroma. For example, one ingredient might have good fragrance but poor durability, while another might be durable but less aromatic. When combined, they complement each other, producing a tea that is both fragrant and durable. Blending conceals weaknesses and maximizes strengths, allowing the advantages of different teas to complement each other. 4. The stability is higher; after complementary blending, it's difficult to find significant flaws. A pure tea might be very weak in terms of fragrance, which is a significant weakness, but blended tea avoids this issue. Blended tea tends to be well-balanced,…

Basic Introduction to Congqing Loquat TeaCongqing Loquat Tea is a specialty of Chongzhou City, Sichuan Province (formerly known as Congqing County), and is a Chinese Geographical Indication product. It is a precious and rare tea tree variety in China, named after its leaves resemble loquat leaves. This tea is the result of long-term natural evolution and cultivation, forming a group variety of tea trees. The production area is located in the Qionglai Mountains, growing at an altitude of around 1,000 meters on mist-shrouded high mountains, in a unique environment. Congqing Loquat Tea is characterized by early budding, thick shoots and leaves, strong branching capacity, high fragrance, rich flavor, and good brewing endurance. As early as the Qing Dynasty, it was acclaimed as "tribute tea." In 1965, it was rated as one of the 21 excellent tea tree varieties in China. In 1984, it was recognized by the Sichuan Provincial Tea Tree Variety Appraisal Committee as one of the five major local superior tea tree varieties in Sichuan. Product CharacteristicsCongqing Loquat Tea is named for its leaves resembling loquat leaves and is unique to Chongzhou. It used to be a tribute item and is also known as "Longmen Tribute Tea." Congqing…