Pu'er tea, in terms of its appearance when made into tea, comes in different forms such as tea cakes, tuocha, brick tea, and loose tea. Among these, tea cakes are the most common. Pu'er tea is favored by tea enthusiasts for its unique taste and health benefits. So, how should Pu'er tea cakes be stored for the long term? How to Store Pu'er Tea Cakes for the Long Term To store Pu'er tea for the long term: 1. A professional warehouse must be established. When Pu'er tea is placed in a professional warehouse, it will not mold but will slowly age. This ensures that the tea does not spoil and maintains its authenticity. If stored properly, it can last for a very long time. 2. It's best to wrap the Pu'er tea in bamboo leaves before storing it in the warehouse. This promotes fermentation without absorbing too much odor. When storing Pu'er tea for the long term, it's important to provide a relatively clean environment since the tea has strong adsorption properties. Do not store items with strong or pungent odors near the tea, as this can cause the tea to absorb unwanted flavors during storage. 3. Storing Pu'er tea…

Not only was February 22, 2022 a Tuesday, but it was also the 22nd day of the first month in the Year of the Tiger. On this day filled with love, everything around us was covered in white. Has your social media been flooded with snow pictures? (Leishan tea garden, photo by Wu Xianhai) According to the provincial meteorological bureau, from 08:00 on February 21 to 08:00 on February 22, 2022, light snow or sleet occurred in 77 counties (cities and districts) across the province, with snow accumulation observed in 72 county districts, the deepest being 12 cm in Wanshan. Ice build-up on power lines was recorded in 25 stations, with the largest diameter being 32 mm in Wanshan (including the conductor diameter of 26.8 mm). The lowest temperature in 76 counties (cities and districts) was 0°C or below, with Weining recording the lowest at -6.3°C. Road icing persisted in most areas except for the southern borders of the province. As the saying goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest." But what impact do this year's frequent rainy and cold weather conditions have on tea gardens that are about to enter their main picking season? (Kaiyang tea garden, photo…

The three major hotspots for Pu'er tea storage are Guangzhou, Kunming, and Menghai. These locations have significant climatic differences, leading to distinct transformations in the stored Pu'er tea, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Today, let's delve into the world of Kunming-stored Pu'er tea. Introduction to Kunming-Stored Pu'er Tea Kunming is known as the "City of Eternal Spring," located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The temperature varies little throughout the year, making it a high-altitude humid city with relatively dry air during winter and spring. However, looking at macro data, Kunming cannot be considered a dry city, with an average annual temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and humidity of 71%. This is only 8 percentage points lower than Guangzhou. Yet, Kunming cannot be classified as having a humid climate; despite moderate humidity, the evaporation rate is higher, making it relatively dry. The transformation of Pu'er tea relies on fermentation, which requires temperature and humidity. Kunming's relatively dry climate, low air humidity, and stable temperature fluctuations create a suitable environment for Pu'er tea fermentation. The aging process primarily involves enzymatic reactions catalyzed by oxidases, leading to a relatively pure and singular transformation. Although the maturation period is longer, the conversion led…

On February 7th, tea experts from Guocha Institute specializing in breeding, processing, cultivation, and plant protection jointly provided technical guidance on the renovation and improvement of low-yielding and inefficient tea gardens in Hong'an. At the Hubei Yude Tea Co., Ltd. base in Dabie Mountain area, the experts addressed a series of issues including tea tree aging, lax management of tea gardens, and poor adaptability of varieties. They proposed new standardized techniques for establishing tea gardens quickly using new tea tree varieties, providing on-site guidance in the tea gardens that are about to be renovated. The aim is to increase tea seedling survival rates and shorten the period it takes for the gardens to become productive. Additionally, considering the overwintering conditions of major pests and diseases in old tea gardens, they suggested measures to prevent major pest and disease outbreaks and provided guidance on integrated pest management. Text and Images: Tan Rongrong

Basic Introduction to Guanyin Lake Green TeaGuanyin Lake Green Tea is a specialty of Xiaochang County, Xiaogan City, Hubei Province.Guanyin Lake Green Tea is a product protected by geographical indication. “The filial piety of Meng Zong spreads across the world, and good tea comes from the shores of Guanyin Lake.” The proposed protected area is a tourist destination, a Buddhist site for over a thousand years, a well-known revolutionary base, and the birthplace of filial piety culture (with the custom of “a cup of tea in the morning, daughter-in-law serving mother-in-law,” which shows respect for the elderly), as well as the birthplace of tea culture. It has a long history of tea cultivation, produces high-quality tea, and especially the tea around Guanyin Lake is of the best quality and enjoys a high reputation in Hubei. It is well-known in Xiaogan and is an essential item for gifts and home use. Guanyin Lake Green Tea is mainly distributed in the Guanyin Lake Ecological Cultural Tourism Resort, Xiaowu Township, Xiaohetown, Weidian Town, and Wangdian Town of Xiaochang County. The cultivated varieties are mainly Echa No.1, Fuding Dahao, and other excellent varieties. Benefiting from the reform and opening-up policy, a number of private…

Basic Introduction to Xiashan Stack Green Tea Xiashan Stack Green is a high-altitude tea and organic tea from the high-cold region of the southwestern mountains of Gu County in the Qinba Mountains of Northwest Hubei. It grows on the selenium-rich belt between 800 and 1,000 meters above sea level in the Daxianshan area, which is located in Xiangyang City, Hubei Province. The Xiashan Stack Green has a tight, fine shape with prominent tips and a lustrous emerald green color; its infusion is bright green and clear, with a lasting chestnut aroma, a fresh, pure, and refreshing taste, and an even, bright green leaf base. Currently, the tea garden area in Gu County has reached 126,000 mu (approximately 84 square kilometers), with an annual production of 1,000 tons, ranking it among the top 100 tea-producing counties in China. The tea industry has become the leading sector of the four major agricultural industries in Gu County. Product Characteristics 1. Sensory Features: (1) Shape: Tight and fine with prominent tips and a lustrous emerald green color. (2) Infusion: Bright green and clear. Aroma: Lasting chestnut fragrance. (3) Taste: Fresh, pure, and refreshing. (4) Leaf base: Even, bright green. 2. Chemical-Physical Indicators: Water-soluble extracts…

The summer-autumn period is a critical time for tea garden management. To improve garden management and continue strengthening the tea industry as the leading sector, Shuangqiao Town seizes the sunny weather and organizes tea enterprises and farmers to conduct comprehensive summer-autumn tea garden management, aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of the tea industry and ensure stable production and increased income for both enterprises and farmers.Extensive publicity and mobilization to enhance public awareness. To raise the public's awareness of the importance of summer-autumn tea garden management, Shuangqiao Town utilizes its cadre-household pairing mechanism, employing various methods such as household visits, community meetings, and courtyard meetings to disseminate knowledge about tea garden management and the significance of summer-autumn management. Extensive publicity and mobilization efforts aim to increase the public's enthusiasm and initiative in conducting summer-autumn tea garden management. Strengthen theoretical training to improve management levels. The town's Party Committee and government invited professional technicians from the Yangling Demonstration Zone to conduct theoretical knowledge training on tea garden management for over 60 tea enterprise managers and farmers. Through theoretical explanations and face-to-face communication, the training addressed questions and concerns encountered by tea enterprises and farmers during tea garden management, providing scientific…

For many who enjoy drinking tea, there's a common annoyance—the accumulation of tea stains on their utensils. How can one easily clean these utensils? Proper maintenance not only keeps the tea more healthful for consumption but also ensures that the buildup of tea stains, which can be detrimental to health, is minimized. Most people tend to use steel wool (scrubbing balls) or loofah sponges, which are relatively abrasive cleaning tools, to scrub away the stains. While this approach is effective, consider that using such rough tools can easily damage the glaze on the surface of your tea utensils, gradually wearing it down. Over time, the tea stains will seep into the utensils themselves, causing them to take on the color of the tea and making them impossible to clean. The best method for cleaning is to, after each session of drinking tea, promptly dispose of the leaves and rinse the utensils with water. Maintaining this good habit over time means you won't need any cleaning tools, and your utensils will remain bright and glossy. However, many people often neglect cleaning their utensils right after drinking tea, instead opting to rest or do something else. By the time they remember to…

Bingdao Dijie Ancient Tree Tea is a type of tea originating from the five villages of Bingdao, renowned for its growing environment. The tea trees here grow in ancient forests at an altitude of 1,700 meters, with an average age of over 300 years. Their environment is lush with vegetation, fertile soil, and ancient trees, and due to their remote location, they have developed exceptional ecological quality. Dijie Village belongs to the Bingdao Village Committee. It takes about 30 minutes by car from Mengku Town to get there. Twenty years ago, it was still a dirt road that wasn’t easy to travel on. This is where the Lahu people live, and they call it “Ge Wa” (meaning "the forest where deities reside"). Its tea tree environment is lush with vegetation, fertile soil, and ancient trees. The average altitude of the ancient tea forest in Dijie is 1,700 meters, with an average annual temperature of 20°C and an average annual rainfall of 1,800 millimeters. The further you go into the village, the more ancient tea trees you will find, most of which are over 300 years old. They grow in primeval forests filled with deadwood and humus, and some of the…

Purple clay teapots need to be nurtured, and the more they are cared for, the smoother and more lustrous they become with a rich, understated sheen. This is what many teapot enthusiasts or newcomers to the hobby hope to achieve. Over time, the gradual infusion of tea juices, the continuous handling, dust, sweat, and even the prolonged rubbing of clothes and skin, along with the gentle caress of airborne particles, accumulate layer upon layer. They seep into the teapot, gradually forming a "weathered" sheen on its surface, which is known as "patina." It's similar to the oil-brightened appearance that a yoke would develop from long-term use in our childhood homes. This "weathered" appearance exudes a warm, reserved glow, much like the scholarly refinement of a Confucian scholar, quietly nourishing everything around it. It is not an ostentatious brightness nor the "falsified luster" of fake teapots but rather a luminous quality imbued with spirit through prolonged contact with the human body. Patina is a term used in the antiques trade, not just applicable to purple clay teapots. Items such as porcelain, wooden objects, jade, bronze, and even thin paper artifacts like paintings and calligraphy can develop patina after being weathered by…

It is more suitable to drink black tea at night. Black tea is fully fermented, which means the caffeine and polyphenols undergo oxidation and their content becomes relatively lower. Its nature is gentler, and drinking an appropriate amount of black tea at night can aid digestion and improve sleep. Green tea, on the other hand, is unfermented, tends to be cooler in nature, and has a stronger stimulating effect, making it less suitable for consumption at night. Furthermore, when drinking tea at night, it's important to do so in moderation; avoid drinking large quantities of strong tea. Night Tea: Black or Green? Black tea is more suitable for nighttime consumption. Black tea is made from fully fermented leaves, and as such, the caffeine and polyphenols are oxidized, leading to lower levels of these substances. This makes the tea more gentle, and drinking a moderate amount of black tea at night can help with digestion and improve sleep quality. Green tea, being unfermented, is cooler in nature and has a stronger stimulating effect, making it unsuitable for evening consumption. Additionally, when drinking tea at night, it is advisable to drink it lightly. Drinking lighter teas is healthier, meaning you should use…

Basic Introduction to Jingbian Buckwheat TeaBuckwheat tea is a beverage made by screening and roasting buckwheat seeds. The naturally grown "Yuzhao-4" and "Bitter Buckwheat" in the Baiyu Mountain area are well-known green foods, and Jingbian buckwheat has won many awards as an excellent minor grain variety. Nutritional ValueIn addition to rich protein, chlorophyll, fat, carbohydrates, crude fiber, minerals, and trace elements, buckwheat tea also contains 18 natural amino acids, with a total content of 11.82%, and nine fatty acids, which promote growth and development in children and can prevent coronary heart disease in adults. History and FolkloreLong ago, there was a great drought; for several months, not a drop of rain fell. Crops failed, and the people suffered greatly. As the harvest season approached and the people continued to pray for rain, the Dragon King could no longer bear to watch and went to speak to Jade Emperor on their behalf. Hearing of the plight of humanity, Jade Emperor felt he had neglected his duties and promptly arranged for a thorough rain. The Dragon King reported back that it would be too late, as the weather was cooling and there was nothing left to flower and produce seeds. Jade Emperor,…

Traditionally processed oolong teas, such as Wuyi rock tea, Phoenix Dancong, and baked Tie Guan Yin, have good stability after roasting. They do not need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be kept in a cool, dry place instead. Oolong teas are generally safe to store at room temperature since they are fully fermented, and this has little impact on their quality. Dark teas, white teas, Pu'er teas, and aged teas, especially Pu'er, rely on aging for their drinking value. Storing these types of tea in the refrigerator could cause dampness issues and also reduce the activity of beneficial enzymes and bacteria within the tea. It is these enzymes and bacteria that contribute to the tea's flavor development over time. Refrigerating these teas would significantly affect their aging process. These types of teas are best stored at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated, dry area away from strong odors. Storing them in the refrigerator could lead to mold growth. Should Green Tea Be Refrigerated? Green tea is unique because it is meant to be enjoyed for its fresh and crisp taste. Typically, we only drink green tea from the first flush (before the Ming festival). The tea oxidizes…

Many people view Mengku as a tea region that became famous due to Bingdao tea, but in fact, it was already a well-known tea distribution center in Yunnan Province since the 1920s. Later, the dominant tea company in Western Yunnan, "Yongchangxiang," often used Mengku tea as the main ingredient for its compressed tea. At that time, the eastern half mountain of Mengku, with its convenient transportation, had a far greater reputation than the western half mountain. The article will introduce Bamunu and Zhengqitang, outstanding representatives of the eastern half mountain, which also gave birth to a unique type of tea in the history of tea cultivation - Tengtiao tea. Zhengqitang, Little Bingdao "In past years, the Miasma Pond; now, the aroma of Bingdao. Our ancestors planted ancient trees; their descendants drink the tea. If only there were no cutting; generations would enjoy enduring blessings." Someone once described the history and characteristics of Zhengqitang with this little poem. Zhengqitang is located on the eastern edge of Mengku Town, under the jurisdiction of the Nase Village Committee of Mengku Town. It is five kilometers away from the village committee and 25 kilometers from the town government. It is a remote village with…

Brewing tea can be simple, a pot and a cup are enough to enjoy the charm of tea. Brewing tea can also be elaborate, an elaborate tea setting adds more flavor to tea tasting. "Elaborate" is a sense of ceremony, and it reflects one’s taste. Each utensil has its purpose, so what kind of tea utensils are there on a tea setting? Today, I have compiled a list of tea utensils for you. Let's see what your tea setting might be missing! Basic Tea Utensils Gaiwan: A gaiwan is a teaware consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer, mainly used for brewing tea. Teapot: A teapot is a vessel with a spout used for brewing and pouring tea, it is one of the tea utensils primarily used for brewing tea. Fairness Cup: This is a utensil used to evenly distribute the tea liquor before pouring into tasting cups. Tasting Cup: A short cup used for drinking tea. Smelling Cup: Used for smelling the aroma, it is taller and thinner than the tasting cup, often used when brewing highly aromatic Oolong teas from Taiwan. Tea Pad: Smaller than a tea tray, used for holding tasting cups and serving tea. Tea Scoop:…

Easter time, the last hint of chill in the spring breeze quietly disappears. Changning, located upstream in the high-quality tea region of the Lancang River basin, is painted with the most beautiful scenery by the verdant spring tea leaves. The old tea trees, known as the “origin tea” of Changning, attract the attention of tea lovers with their fresh greenery. The spring tea, rich in nutrients and thick in leaf flesh, has a high content of aromatic substances and vitamins, making it favored for its fresh and refreshing taste, intense aroma, and smooth mouthfeel. The "origin tea" of Changning, different from both wild-grown tea and modern artificially selected cultivated tea, is particularly favored by many. Mangshui Laochang, one of the villages along the Lancang River, is not very well-known either in Changning or on the "map" of Yunnan's tea regions, yet it hides many ancient tea trees within its depths. Regardless of whether others know about them, these ancient tea trees always sprout new green leaves every spring, bestowing the essence of nature upon humanity. On the large tea tree known as the "Laochang Tea King" in Zhujia Village, over a dozen tea pickers are climbing the tree, picking tea…

While it's great to steep tea in a purple clay teapot, it can accumulate tea stains. During the process of nurturing the pot, frequent steeping inevitably leaves tea stains inside. There is a story about a wealthy man who saw an old teapot passed down through generations in a farmer's home and offered a tempting high price for it, agreeing to come back the next day to collect it. The simple farmer, seeing that the purple clay teapot was rather dirty, scrubbed it clean. However, when the wealthy man saw the freshly cleaned teapot the next day, he no longer wanted it because what he was buying was precisely the tea stains accumulated over many years. Many teapot enthusiasts share the same idea as the farmer in the story, believing that tea stains are the essence accumulated over time. With this layer of tea stains, even pouring boiling water into the purple clay teapot would result in a faint tea aroma. However, the truth is that leaving tea stains uncleaned can easily lead to bacterial growth, which is not good for health. So, how can you clean the teapot without removing the patina? Teapot Cleaning Method Many teapot enthusiasts are…

Abstract: The development journey of Puer tea is not only a history of the evolution of tea but also a testament to the inheritance of Chinese culture. It bears witness to the Chinese nation's pursuit of a better life and respect for the natural environment. At the same time, Puer tea has become an essential companion for healthy living due to its unique taste and nutritional value. This article analyzes its history and culture, varieties and classification, cultivation and processing, value and benefits, market and prospects, as well as tasting and selection, to explore the path to health through the millennia-old culture of Chinese Puer tea. Please note that this is one person's perspective; for issues regarding images, please contact us for removal (2024.04). I. Historical and Cultural Background of Puer Tea 1.1 Origin and Development of Puer Tea Puer tea, a treasure carrying a thousand years of culture, can trace its origins back to the Han Dynasty when the indigenous people of Yunnan began cultivating and consuming tea plants. However, it was during the Tang and Song dynasties that Puer tea truly gained fame worldwide. According to historical records, by the Tang Dynasty, Puer tea had become a precious…

Tea has a multitude of health benefits. While drinking tea regularly is generally good for your health, choosing the right type of tea according to your body's condition can enhance its health benefits. Women, as a special group, often have times when their bodies are not at their best, so they need to be more mindful than men when drinking tea. Let’s take a closer look~ 01 How to Choose Your Tea? When drinking tea, you can choose the type based on your own constitution and the nature of the tea. Chinese teas are divided into six main categories: green tea, black tea (red in China), yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, and dark tea. Black tea (red in China) is warm in nature and suitable for those who suffer from cold hands and feet, are weak, or are older. Green tea is cool in nature and is appropriate for those with a hot constitution or high energy levels, as well as people who work in front of computers frequently. Yellow tea is similar to green tea in terms of properties. Oolong tea is neutral in nature, fragrant, and sweet-tasting, making it suitable for most people. Dark tea is warm…

Tea culture in China has a long history, and the variety of tea brewing tools is vast. Porcelain, as an ancient and elegant tool for brewing tea, has always been favored by tea enthusiasts. But is porcelain really suitable for brewing tea? This article will take you through all aspects of brewing tea with porcelain. (Image source: internet, delete if infringement) Advantages of Brewing Tea with Porcelain Porcelain has been an excellent choice for brewing tea since ancient times, mainly due to the following advantages: 1. Preserves Tea Aroma: The delicate and smooth material of porcelain does not absorb the aroma of the tea, thus it can well preserve the original aroma of the tea leaves. This is particularly important for teas with rich aromas, such as Tieguanyin and Oolong tea. 2. Good Heat Conduction: Porcelain has moderate heat conduction properties, which allows it to evenly disperse heat, keeping the tea temperature stable. This prevents over-steeping or sudden drops in temperature that could affect the taste of the tea. 3. Aesthetically Pleasing: Porcelain is beautifully crafted with rich patterns and designs, offering high aesthetic value. Whether at home or in a teahouse, brewing tea with porcelain is a feast for…