Dragon

There is a preference for Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: It is the love for their delicate and compact size, It is the appreciation for their simplicity and portability, This has always been the case, never changing. There is a pursuit of Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: That is the delicacy crafted by hand alone, That is the ultimate pursuit of form, Persistently maintained, never abandoned. There is a wait for Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: It requires time to slowly release its essence, It requires the passage of time to gently unfold its fragrance, Silent companionship, waiting quietly for transformation. There is an extreme minimalism in Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: They no longer simply appear at home, They appear in the office or even on journeys, They can be enjoyed anywhere, without fuss. In this tumultuous world, there is a tranquility and peace that has always belonged to the time brought by Dragon Bead Puer tea. Each Dragon Bead is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, Each tasting session is a journey of self-reflection. It is not just a cup…

Litchi, also known as lychee, is loved for its sweet and fragrant flesh. The entire fruit is a treasure trove of medicinal value. For instance, litchi seeds can help regulate qi flow, dispel cold and stagnation, and relieve pain. Litchi shells are known to alleviate heatiness in the body to some extent. A lady's laughter through a cloud of red dust; none would know it was due to litchis coming—Du Mu, "Passing by Huaqing Palace (Three Quatrains, First)" Eat three hundred litchis daily, I would not mind being a southerner forever—Su Shi, "Eating Litchis" In May in the south, litchis are as red as cinnabar, each one round like a dragon's pearl—Liu Zuman, "Litchi" Many tea enthusiasts also love litchis but may wonder which teas pair well with them. In fact, litchis have a strong compatibility and can be paired with many foods, producing unique effects. With tea, you can try pairing litchis with black, white, or green tea—all of which work well. Here are the benefits of combining litchis with tea: Litchi Black Tea—Beauty and Detoxification Litchis contain vitamins A, B1, and C, as well as pectin, free amino acids, proteins, and elements such as iron, phosphorus, and calcium.…

Drinking tea for health has become the choice of many office workers. The purple clay teapot is a commonly used tea utensil, but what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in it? Does it have anything to do with the shape and size of the teapot? In fact, when using a purple clay teapot for brewing tea, apart from considering the type of clay used, you can also make choices based on the capacity and characteristics of the teapot's shape. So, what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in a purple clay teapot? What rules should be followed? Black Tea: West Beauty Teapot, Rongtian Teapot The common feature of the West Beauty Teapot and the Rongtian Teapot is their large belly, deep body, and plump, round shape, which can fully bring out the aroma of black tea without damaging the leaves. As the color of black tea infusion is relatively dark, it is suitable to use darker colored clays such as Tianxing clay, blue-gray clay, or Dicaoqing clay for making the purple clay teapot. Oolong Tea: Duozhi Teapot, Dragon Egg Teapot Most oolong teas expand significantly after brewing, so teapots with slightly larger mouths, like the Duozhi Teapot,…

Tang Dynasty tea utensils During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, people across the country, regardless of their religious beliefs, made drinking tea a part of daily life. It was during this time that tea culture developed and the production of tea utensils entered an upward trajectory. This stimulated the production of Tang Dynasty ceramics, and places that produced tea also promoted the development of local kilns. Yuezhou, Shouzhou, Wuzhou, and Qiongzhou were all known for both abundant tea and ceramic production. Due to differences in social status, people's pursuit of the use value and cultural value of tea utensils varied. The imperial court favored luxurious utensils made of gold, silver, jade, and other precious materials. Commoners, on the other hand, preferred utensils that were economical, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, mainly using ceramic tea sets. Tea Bowls According to archaeological records, Tang Dynasty porcelain bowls have been unearthed in many regions across the country. Although these bowls from different kilns had distinct regional characteristics, they shared one common feature: they all produced wide-mouthed bowls with slim bases and a flat bottom resembling a jade disc. In "The Classic of Tea – Chapter Four: Utensils," Lu Yu…

01. Tea Cake The tea cake is a common form of Pu'er tea, usually weighing 357 grams, commonly known as the Seven Sons Cake. 02. Tuo Tea It looks like a round bread from above and a thick-walled bowl from below, with a concave center, which is quite distinctive. Each weighs about 100 grams to 250 grams, varying in size. This shape was also made for ease of long-distance transportation and long-term storage in ancient times. 03. Brick Tea Brick tea, also known as steam-pressed tea, is one of the more representative types of compressed teas. Pu'er brick tea was once offered as tribute during the Qing Dynasty and remains a popular category of Pu'er tea. 04. Square Tea Pu'er square tea is produced by Kunming Tea Factory, using Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea of grades one and two as raw materials. The selection process is strict, ensuring a high degree of tenderness. It is finely screened, then steamed and pressed into a square block, measuring 10.1 cm on each side. Each piece weighs 250 grams and is considered a premium product among compressed teas. 05. Mini Tuo Tea Mini tuo is a type of tuo tea shaped like a…

The Sun-Dried Green Maocha is crafted from fresh buds and leaves of the large-leaf tea variety in Yunnan, using a distinctive low-temperature production process. The quality of the raw material determines the upper limit of the final product's quality. The freshness of the leaves is influenced by the tea plant variety, the ecological standards of its growing environment, and the age of the tea plants, with the ecological environment being of paramount importance. The production process of Sun-Dried Green Maocha: 1. Picking: Completed in the morning when the mist disperses around 8 to 9 AM, with a slight dew, the fresh leaves picked at this time retain their tenderness. 2. Spreading Out: This step typically lasts between 6 to 8 hours, depending on the moisture content of the fresh leaves. The leaves partially lose water, becoming softer, and the stems lose their elasticity, preparing them for the next step and reducing damage. 3. Withering of Fresh Leaves: Spread thinly (3 to 5 cm) to naturally lose water. 4. Kill-green Step: Wok kill-green is a traditional method used in Yunnan tea regions. When the wok reaches a certain temperature, fresh leaves are added, focusing on keeping the leaf temperature below 60°C…

Tea is the national drink, and with the improvement of living standards, more and more people are developing a liking for it. If you enjoy drinking tea, it's inevitable that you'll end up storing some at home—whether for your own consumption or for when guests visit. However, how to store tea is a headache for many tea enthusiasts, as improper storage can easily cause the tea to spoil, affecting its taste and potentially turning it into a "toxic" tea that may be harmful to health. So, what should you do if you have too much tea at home? How to Store Too Much Tea at Home Firstly, we need to categorize the tea stored at home. If there is a large quantity and variety of teas, it's best to sort them by type for better preservation. The storage method varies depending on the fermentation process used in the tea. For lightly roasted or aromatic types of tea, proper sealing is crucial. Choose containers like aluminum packaging or vacuum cans that provide good seals. Additionally, aromatic teas should ideally be stored separately to avoid their scents mixing and compromising the purity of the original aroma. Lightly roasted teas typically include Oolong…

When everyone first starts playing with purple clay teapots, they know nothing about the colorful varieties of purple clay. Then they gradually learn about types like purple clay, duan clay, red clay, and so on. At first, they think they've become proficient, but then they discover names like purple eggplant clay, old purple clay, red skin dragon, black star soil, golden duan, and more... which leaves them even more confused. I dare say that most enthusiasts are still at this stage: constantly exploring and collecting an endless variety of purple clay types. However, if you continue to delve deeper, you'll find that all the different types of clay are just derivatives or coexisting clays of the initial few types. They're only given different names due to differences in the color of the ore, the location of the mine, and the final color of the finished product. 1. Purple clay includes types like bottom groove clear (Dicaoqing) and old purple clay. The color range primarily spans from brownish yellow, brownish red, to chocolate colors. When assessing whether it's good quality material, pay attention to the particles. Personally, I believe that relatively correct purple clay materials will usually have a grainy feel,…

What is blended Dahongpao?Pure Dahongpao comes from the asexual propagation of cuttings from the mother tree, processed separately. Blended Dahongpao is a commercial product different from pure Dahongpao, created to meet market demand for Dahongpao by blending different varieties from Wuyi Mountain in certain proportions. It has distinct quality characteristics that differ from its blending ingredients. The Origin of Blended Dahongpao The blending of Dahongpao has ancient roots. The six mother trees growing above the Nine Dragon Gullies are not of a single variety but come from different lineages, with differing leaf shapes and budding periods, as well as different picking times. During the harvest period, they are picked in two to three batches, then refined and roasted together to produce the final product known as "Mother Tree Dahongpao." In 1985, technology personnel at the Wuyi Mountain Tea Research Institute blended "Dahongpao" using high-quality Wuyi rock teas like Rougui and Shuixian along with pure Dahongpao. The resulting tea had excellent aroma, liquor color, and taste, with a strong rock tea character, quickly gaining consumer approval. With advances in technology and increased innovation, various high-quality blends of Dahongpao have emerged according to market demand, and blended Dahongpao has become an important…

How is Dragon Ball tea made? The production method of Dragon Ball Pu'er tea is the same as that of raw Pu'er tea, except that Dragon Balls are in a spherical form. The shape of Dragon Balls represents a revival of the Pu'er tea cake form. In the past, tea cakes required breaking before brewing, but now Dragon Balls come in sizes of 5-8 grams, just right for one serving, eliminating the need for breaking. As Dragon Ball tea cakes maintain the taste of tea while being convenient and appealing to consumer preferences, they have been well-received by the market. The Process of Making Sun-Dried Green Tea 1. Preparation of Raw Materials Preparation of raw materials is the most important step in making sun-dried green tea. This type of tea is best made from fresh buds and leaves of large-leaf tea varieties, which should be handpicked using proper techniques to ensure high-quality tea leaves. 2. Spreading Out and Fixation After picking, the tea leaves should be spread out and placed in a cool, ventilated area to speed up the evaporation of moisture. Once the fresh leaves become soft, they can proceed to the next step. Fixation, which can be conducted…

01 Main Origin The communities of Wangjia in the Jinnajieling Subdistrict, Qiantengying and Dahedong in the Shazikou Subdistrict, Bijia in the Beizhai Subdistrict, and Tunsan and Xiaowang in the Wanggezhuang Subdistrict of Laoshan District, Qingdao City. 02 Quality Characteristics Laoshan Dragon's Beard is a type of green tea where buds and leaves are connected, fully spread out with short internodes and a pale yellow-green color. Its appearance features naturally spread-out buds and leaves in a uniform shape, with a fresh and lively green color. The infusion has a tender, bright green color, a fresh and high aroma; the taste is fresh, sweet, and mellow; the infused leaves are young, rich in buds, and brightly colored in a uniform manner. Laoshan Dragon's Beard contains 3.6% free amino acids, 2.17% theanine, 15.0% polyphenols, and 42.4% water-soluble extracts, all superior to reference values. Product Details 03 Environmental Advantages The production area for Laoshan Dragon's Beard is located in Laoshan District, where the soil is brown loam derived from weathered granite, with thick layers and an organic matter content greater than 1%, pH values between 5.5 and 6.5. The tea-growing areas have diverse topography, small plots, and lush surrounding vegetation (vegetation coverage rate of…

It's often said that a woman who drinks tea has a certain charm. And a woman who enjoys drinking tea from a Yixing clay pot possesses a natural, refreshing, and perfectly balanced beauty. Today, I'll introduce ten styles of teapots that are particularly favored by women. 01 Xi Shi (Doll) Teapot The Xi Shi teapot has a plump and adorable shape with graceful curves. The flush-fitting lid makes the entire form appear unified, making it perfect for handling. As one of the four great beauties of ancient China, the name Xi Shi naturally evokes associations of beauty, elegance, and nobility. As the saying goes: Beautiful is the Xi Shi, but the most wonderful is the Xi Shi teapot. 02 Beauty's Shoulder Teapot The Beauty's Shoulder teapot resembles an elegant and lovely ancient Chinese woman, exuding imperial splendor while also possessing the grace of a young lady. The design is full and dignified, with the main focus on the roundness of the body. The lid blends seamlessly with the body, and the teapot feels warm and smooth to the touch. 03 Smiling Cherry Teapot The Smiling Cherry teapot, originally named the Three-Line teapot, draws inspiration from ancient ceramic tea storage jars…

The Ming Dynasty was a period of innovation in tea processing and the creation of loose leaf teas, setting new trends for tea drinking. In the 24th year of Hongwu reign under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1391), the production of compressed tea bricks was abolished, promoting the development of loose leaf teas. Many famous teas emerged as the method of brewing changed from whisking to steeping. The process of tea preparation became simpler, and fewer tea wares were needed. 1. Simplification and Reduction of Tea Wares The older tea cakes of the Tang Dynasty required the "boiled tea method." The finely processed dragon and phoenix compressed teas of the Song Dynasty necessitated the "whisked tea method." Both the "boiled tea method" and the "whisked tea method" involved complex procedures and a multitude of tea wares. The brewing of loose leaf teas in the Ming Dynasty was much simpler: a small amount of tea would be placed in a cup (or pot), and hot water poured over it, ready to drink. This method was also known as the "pinch tea method" during the Song Dynasty. At this point, only a kettle for boiling water and a cup (or pot) for brewing were…

Since the weather has warmed up, the number of people engaging in outdoor activities has soared, and camping consumption has become popular. Various camping tools and leisure activities related to camping have also continued to sell well and gain popularity. The lifestyle of getting close to nature has become a trend pursued by many citizens. Setting up a tent in the mountains, placing a small table, preparing some grilled food and fruit platters, and adding a pot of cold-brewed tea and some tea snacks, the healing feeling of escaping the hustle and bustle and heading for the mountains naturally arises—it's practically a real-life version of "The Life We Aspire To." What kind of tea is suitable for camping? It must be cold-brewed tea, which is easy to prepare and refreshing. With the Dragon Boat Festival holiday approaching, why not invite a few friends or bring your family along to unlock the camping trend and experience the romance of summer mountain stream ice tea cold brew! Here are a few quick and delicious cold-brewed teas recommended for you if you're going camping: 01 Basic Cold-Brewed Tea Place the tea leaves in a container, add drinking water, and refrigerate overnight. This method…

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is one of China's traditional festivals, held annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Alongside eating rice dumplings (zongzi) and dragon boat racing, tea tasting is an integral part of the festival. On this day filled with traditional culture, the fragrance of tea adds a unique charm to the festivities. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, households prepare tea to share with family and friends. People use exquisite tea sets to brew fine tea, savoring its flavors carefully. The aroma of the tea is soothing and refreshing, seemingly dispelling the heat and irritability of summer. Moreover, tea tasting is a social activity where people exchange feelings and share life experiences, strengthening friendships and bonds. In addition to family gatherings, various tea cultural activities are held during the Dragon Boat Festival period. These include tea art performances and tea ceremony demonstrations, showcasing the exquisite skills of tea art and spreading the essence of tea culture. Audiences can learn more about tea knowledge and cultural connotations while enjoying these performances. The relationship between the Dragon Boat Festival and tea goes beyond drinking; it's also about cultural heritage.…

Compared to the traditional and standardized British ceramic tea sets, Chinese tea sets are more diverse in style and have a longer history. Today, let me introduce you to Chinese tea sets. Gaiwan In simple terms, a gaiwan is a teapot without a spout. It is said that the gaiwan originated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The gaiwan consists of three parts: a saucer, a bowl, and a lid. The lid represents heaven, the saucer represents earth, and the bowl represents man, symbolizing harmony between heaven, earth, and man. Gaiwans are typically made of porcelain because it can absorb heat and make them easy to handle. Gaiwans are usually small, with capacities ranging from 100-180ml. The advantage of a gaiwan is that even without a spout, the lid can be used to hold back the tea leaves. After brewing, the lid is slightly opened, allowing the tea liquor to be poured out while the leaves remain in the bowl. Typically, after brewing in a gaiwan, the tea is transferred to another pot to balance the concentration of the liquor. Purple Clay Teapot A Yixing purple clay teapot is made from the special purple clay found in Yixing, Jiangsu Province. Its…

The phrase "this purple clay teapot has been fired multiple times" is often seen. Does this mean it wasn't fired properly the first time, so it had to be tried again? Actually, that's not the case. So why were older purple clay teapots fired only once, while modern ones are fired two or more times? Is it better to fire them once or twice? When Were Teapots Fired Just Once? Before the Republic of China period, local artisans in Dingshu hadn't yet adopted modern kiln-firing techniques and mostly used dragon kilns. Dragon kilns have poor controllability, and each additional firing increased the risk of damage. Therefore, older teapots were typically fired just once. As a result, the lids rarely fit tightly, unless the potter was an exceptional master who understood the clay's properties perfectly. Such masters were rare. Why Are Modern Purple Clay Teapots Fired Multiple Times? With advances in modern technology, new kilns like shuttle kilns and electric kilns have become common, allowing for precise temperature control. With higher standards for craftsmanship, a second firing became standard practice to ensure a tight lid fit. The first firing is at a lower temperature. After the teapot comes out of the…

The Tea King resides high in the Qianjiazhai area, leaning against the peak of Mount Daxueguoshan, the highest point of Ailao Mountain, a dignified and tranquil abode. Two waterfalls like white ribbons cascade down from Qianjiazhai, nourishing Jiujia—the Tea King's secret garden. Here, various rare flowers and herbs, exotic animals, and birds grow alongside the Tea King's carefully cultivated offspring. Encountering an ancient small-leaf tea tree in Jiujia If Zhenyuan is the domain of the Tea King and Qianjiazhai his residence, then Jiujia is his secret garden. Here, not only do all kinds of rare flowers, herbs, and exotic wildlife flourish, but also the Tea King's carefully bred descendants. Located in the northeastern part of Zhenyuan County, on the southwestern slope of Ailao Mountain, Jiujia Town borders Sanzhangtian Township to the southeast, overlooks Huashan Township in Jingdong County across the Ganhe River to the southwest, connects with Ejia Town in Shuangbai County to the north, and joins Zhenlong Town in Xinping County at the peak of Mount Liangzi to the northeast. Due to the discovery of the Qianjiazhai Tea King Tree and 495,000 ancient wild tea trees, the once obscure Jiujia has gained significant renown in the Pu'er tea world.…

In the vast array of Yixing teapot shapes, many have evolved from each other, leading to a number of models that are extremely similar, often confusing enthusiasts. The most typical examples are the “Xishi (Beauty), Wndan (Pomelo), and Longdan (Dragon Egg)” round teapots. 01 Longdan Teapot The Qing dynasty's Wu Dingmei, in his work Yangxian Minghu Fu ("Ode to Yangxian Teapots"), wrote: "Round ones resemble balls, slightly elongated, known as Longdan." This is the earliest description of the Longdan teapot style. The Longdan teapot is particularly endearing, with an oval line forming its basic outline. Its shape is simple, smooth, and robust, creating a strong overall impression. The Longdan teapot is also known as the "Longdan teapot," named for its resemblance to a dragon's egg. ▲ Qing Dynasty Longdan Teapot The Longdan style retains traces of the Ming dynasty aesthetic, favoring naturalness, strength, and simplicity in its design. This is an early Qing piece, featuring a straight spout, sturdy and practical. ▲ Qing Dynasty Longdan Teapot This is a mid-to-late Qing piece. The spout has been modified, and this version has become a classic design passed down through generations. It features a triangular cone-shaped spout that starts thick at the…

Some people find wood-fired purple clay teapots stunning, while others think they lose the original beauty of purple clay. Ultimately, the choice is left to individual tea enthusiasts. In addition to wood-fired pieces, there are also reduction-fired and ash-covered purple clay teapots. Today, we will cover all three techniques in one go. Wood-Fired Purple Clay The wood-firing (naked firing) process gradually increases temperature. On the first day of firing, a low-temperature smoking process begins, allowing the carbon released from the wood to fill the pores of the clay. Once the surface of the clay turns black due to the carbon, the temperature can be further increased. This process takes approximately 30 hours. The characteristic of wood-firing is that ashes and flames directly enter the kiln. Unlike conventional glazes, the falling ashes naturally adhere to the surface of the piece and, when fired at high temperatures, form a lustrous, rich, and layered natural ash glaze; Molten or unmelted wood ash creates smooth or rough textures on the surface, along with various color changes, leaving traces of where the fire once resided. The result is natural and unadorned, unpredictable and non-repeatable. The color and texture of a wood-fired purple clay teapot depend…

Purple clay teapots are unique in that neither the inside nor the outside is glazed, allowing the lid and body to be fired together. This ensures that the finished product has a tight, smooth lid that keeps out dust and retains heat. The main forms of lids include the press-on lid, the inset lid, and the cut-off lid. (1) Press-On Lid (also called “Complete Lid”): This type of lid sits on top of the mouth of the pot. Its edge can either be square or round, complementing the mouth of the pot. A flat piece of clay placed over the mouth is called a “seat,” while a bent piece is referred to as a “false piece.” The piece of clay forming the mouth is known as a “clump,” and the clay ring around the pot’s wall is called the “child mouth.” These parts and their transitions are connected using clay, making them blend seamlessly and appear as if they were made as one. Regardless of whether the pot is square or round, the rim of the lid and the rim of the mouth echo each other vertically and horizontally. The lid sitting on top of the mouth is also known…

Mid-Autumn Festival is always a crucial marketing opportunity. How to better capitalize on the Mid-Autumn buzz and leverage it for tea marketing is a topic that often sparks discussions and attention within the industry. To inspire new ideas for Mid-Autumn marketing among tea companies, "Tea Talk" has launched a special series titled "Seizing the Momentum of Mid-Autumn - Boldly Moving Forward - 2024 Tea Industry Mid-Autumn Marketing Series." This series will delve into trends for Mid-Autumn tea mooncakes and tea utensils, Mid-Autumn marketing strategies, and market trends. On the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, the tea mooncake market becomes the focus of the industry, with questions about whether price wars are intensifying, whether the transition towards health is solidifying, how far the boundaries of innovative flavors have been pushed, and when the trend of extravagant gift boxes will return to rationality. To address these pressing and profound questions, "Tea Talk" decided to visit the core production areas of tea mooncakes in Shenzhen, Xiamen, and other locations for an on-site exploration. On the factory floor, tea mooncakes showcase their market appeal through distinct textures and creative packaging designs. However, the direction of the tea mooncake market is just one part of the…

Pu'er tea, a familiar name, the rich and mellow Pu'er tea is an indispensable beverage in the lives of Yunnan people. Pu'er tea has evolved from a local specialty in Yunnan to a widely sought-after drink by the nation, not only because of its unique effects and functions but also due to its taste, which leaves one unable to resist after just one sip. Do you know why Pu'er tea cakes are 357g? Yunnan Pu'er tea is a major specialty product of Yunnan, loved by many. Apart from its taste and effects, another distinctive feature is that almost every cake of Pu'er tea weighs 357g. Why is each Pu'er tea cake 357g? The origin of the 357g weight for Yunnan Pu'er tea cakes is likely unknown to many. If you are unfamiliar or have some understanding, read the following introduction about Pu'er tea. The 357g weight is specific to tea cakes; Pu'er loose tea and tuocha do not weigh this amount, nor do smaller tea cakes. Historically, Pu'er tea flourished among ancient people two thousand years ago and was popular among the nobility during the Qing dynasty. Pu'er tea cakes, also known as "seven-son" tea cakes, weigh 357g each. The…