Drying

"Washing the tea" is more accurately referred to as "awakening the tea." This process is meant to awaken the tea leaves and stimulate their aroma, ensuring they are at their best for brewing so that the taster can experience the best possible fragrance and taste. Some aged Pu'er teas require two rounds of "awakening." Green tea, being a non-fermented tea, retains rich vitamins and amino acids, with the first infusion containing the highest nutritional value. Why Don't We Wash Green Tea? In fact, green tea does not need to be washed due to its distinct production process compared to other types of tea. During the making of green tea, the freshly picked young leaves undergo processes such as fixation, rolling, and drying, which intensify the flavor and aroma of the tea. Other teas, however, require fermentation and thus benefit from an initial rinse with hot water to remove any off-flavors. As for green tea, since it is not fermented, it has not been exposed to air or moisture during production, making a rinse unnecessary. If you enjoy drinking green tea, you can simply pour boiling water over it in your brewing vessel. However, if you want to better appreciate the…

The world of a teapot is vast, and the life of tea is long! Whether you're new to the world of purple clay teapots or an experienced aficionado, there are always questions that need answers! Here we have collected some frequently asked questions from enthusiasts and provided detailed answers. 1. Why does my new purple clay teapot have an unusual smell? Answer: The reason why tea brewed in a purple clay teapot tastes particularly good is due to its unique double-pore structure, which can absorb the aroma of tea. Naturally, it can also absorb other odors. A newly made purple clay teapot may have some earthy smell or a slight burnt odor, which are normal kiln-related scents. 2. Is purple clay exclusive to Yixing? Answer: Purple clay is a unique mineral found in Yixing. In May 2006, Yixing purple clay was included in the first batch of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List. To date, no one has discovered anywhere else in the world with the same type of ore as Yixing's purple clay. Clay from other mountains often contains a lot of sand and impurities. Purple clay from other regions can be considered purple clay pottery, but the finished…

“This year, Longhua has had ample rain, and the town government has organized multiple skill training sessions. Through scientific management, tea production has increased again, and our income this year has risen compared to last!” said Cheng Qiangui, a tea farmer from Renmin Village in Pingshan County's Longhua Town, Yibin City, with great delight. Recently, reporters learned from Longhua Town in Pingshan County that the town’s soil is rich in selenium, and the tea industry is a traditional one here. In recent years, the town’s Party Committee has focused on the entire chain of the tea industry, strictly grasping the “production end,” “processing end,” and “sales end.” They have been committed to filling and strengthening the chain, driving the tea industry towards development in the direction of “standardization,” “intensification,” and “branding.” This has resulted in continuous growth in the average per-acre value of tea in the town for three consecutive years and an ongoing increase in local tea farmers' incomes. “In 2024, the estimated fresh tea leaf output of the entire town is expected to reach 31 million pounds, an increase of about 15% year-over-year. The total annual production value is expected to exceed 167 million RMB, with an increase…

The differences between raw and ripe Pu'er tea: 1. Raw tea is mainly green or dark green in color; ripe tea is black or reddish-brown. 2. After picking, raw tea goes through processes such as withering, fixation, etc.; ripe tea also goes through fixation, kneading, etc. after picking. 3. After brewing, the infusion of raw tea is light green or golden yellow; the infusion of ripe tea is chestnut red or dark red. 4. The water temperature for brewing raw tea is slightly lower; ripe tea can be brewed with boiling water. The differences between raw and ripe Pu'er tea: 1. Process differences Raw Pu'er tea is made from fresh leaves that undergo withering, fixation, kneading, sun-drying, steaming, and pressing. Ripe Pu'er tea is made from fresh leaves that undergo withering, fixation, kneading, sun-drying, and pile fermentation. In other words, ripe Pu'er tea is made through pile fermentation based on sun-dried green tea. However, there are no loose teas for raw Pu'er; only compressed teas exist. Teas before steaming and pressing are just sun-dried green teas, which belong to a type of green tea. Only ripe Pu'er tea has both loose and compressed forms. Tea cakes, brick teas, and tuo…

Basic Introduction to Hengxian Jasmine TeaHengxian County produces over 70% of China's jasmine flowers and more than 50% of the world's total production, making it the largest jasmine flower base, tea processing base, and wholesale trading center in the country. Hengxian jasmine flowers are renowned worldwide, and the jasmine tea combines the flavor of tea leaves with the fragrance of fresh flowers, offering a delightful experience akin to savoring a work of art. Nutritional Value1. Calming and UpliftingThe volatile oils in jasmine flowers have the effect of relieving pain, lifting the mood, and dispersing stagnation, alleviating symptoms such as chest and abdominal distension and pain, as well as diarrhea. It is an excellent food therapy for pain relief.2. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatoryJasmine flowers can inhibit various bacteria, both internally and externally, and can be used to treat eye inflammation, sores, and skin ulcers.3. EnergizingJasmine tea can help uplift the spirit, calm the mind, and relieve depression. Product Features(1) Large Buds: The weight of one hundred flower buds is about 23 grams in spring, 30 to 35 grams during the hot summer months, and about 26 grams in autumn.(2) Intense Fragrance: The depth of its aroma is high. History and FolkloreHengxian County…

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…

The techniques for making Puer tea and tribute tea, as shining gems in the list of China's traditional tea-making intangible cultural heritage, not only carry profound historical tea culture but are also a vital force driving local economic and cultural development.The Yunnan province's Ning'er county, known for its intangible cultural heritage, has been dedicated to the inheritance, protection, and innovation of these techniques. Through systematic work and meticulous efforts, it actively promotes the diversity and exchange of tea culture, infusing new vitality into the sustainable development of the tea industry. It is currently the season of tea harvest, and in Ning'er's vast tea gardens, tea farmers move through the emerald green tea bushes, skillfully gathering the tender leaves filled with the essence of spring into their baskets. In the organic tea garden of Wulushan in Puyi Township, Ning'er County, the spring breeze blows gently, bringing vibrant life. Zhou Ming, the production workshop director of the tea factory, leads the tea farmers in their busy work. They strictly adhere to standards while picking spring tea, with each leaf carrying their respect for and commitment to traditional techniques. Under the harmonious cooperation between Zhou Ming and his technical partners, the tea-making processes…

Peering through the mist and looking down from above, rows of tea plants overlap in layers, scattered like stars across the mountains, nurturing this land like the source of life — Mount Mengding. Located on the southwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin in the eastern part of Ya'an City, Mount Mengding occupies the golden zone for tea cultivation in Sichuan. With distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, uniform sunlight, fertile soil, and suitable temperatures, it is often referred to as the "Rainy Sky of Western Sichuan," making it an ideal environment for tea plants and providing favorable conditions for high-quality tea. The Legacy of Mengding: Tracing the Ancient Legend of a Thousand-Year Tribute Tea In the Western Han Dynasty, the tea ancestors began planting tea on Mount Mengding, sowing seven sacred tea saplings on the peak of Lotus Five Peaks, initiating the precedent of Chinese tea culture. The quality of Mount Mengding's tea was exceptional; after eight centuries of word-of-mouth praise, it became renowned nationwide and eventually graced the palates of royalty, becoming a tribute item. During the Tang Dynasty, tea from Mount Mengding was officially listed as a royal tribute; by the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the finest tea…

Pu'er tea, as one of the gems in Chinese teas, boasts a rich and unique set of qualities that exude an enchanting allure. From its appearance, high-quality Pu'er tea has robust and tightly bound leaves with a dark lustrous or brownish-red color, giving it a sense of stability and solidity. Round and well-formed cake teas, intricately crafted tuocha, and solid brick teas each exhibit their own unique beauty in craftsmanship. In terms of aroma, Pu'er tea stands out with its distinct character. It may contain a variety of rich and complex aromas, such as aged fragrance, camphor scent, woody aroma, jujube fragrance, ginseng-like scent, and more. The aroma of young teas is fresh and natural, becoming deeper, more restrained, and longer-lasting over time as the tea ages. The aged fragrance, a hallmark aroma of Pu'er tea after years of aging, seems to tell the story of time itself. In terms of taste, Pu'er tea is full-bodied with a thick and viscous liquor. Initially, there might be a slight bitterness, but this quickly transforms into a sweet aftertaste, creating a delightful experience of bitterness turning into sweetness that lingers on the palate. Its liquor has a rich texture that can be…

[Narration] Located to the west of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, Mount Meiling is also known as "Xishan." The area boasts fresh air, rolling hills, clear water, and a beautiful ecological environment. Its unique soil and climate have nurtured the Xishan Bailu tea, which was once a tribute tea and enjoyed nationwide fame over a thousand years ago. Recently, Hu Weihua, the fourth-generation inheritor of the Nanchang municipal intangible cultural heritage "Xishan Bailu" tea processing technique, introduced and demonstrated the process of stir-frying this tea to reporters.Screenshot from China News Video Stepping into Hu Weihua's intangible cultural heritage workshop, the fragrant aroma of tea wafts from the cast-iron woks used for stir-frying. By applying different techniques in the woks, the shape of the tea leaves continuously changes. Hu Weihua told reporters that the process of stir-frying green tea involves picking, withering, rolling, and drying, but they make adjustments based on local conditions, taking into account the characteristics of the tea produced there and traditional craft requirements. [Synchronous Interview] Fourth-generation inheritor of the Xishan Bailu tea processing technique, Hu Weihua We emphasize high-temperature fixation, quickly reaching temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius to fix the tea in a short time, locking in its…

Kneading is a very important step in the production process of Pu'er tea, following the initial steaming. Kneading involves the actions of "kneading" and "twisting," transforming the steamed leaves, which are close to their natural state, into a specific shape through either "hand" or "mechanical" methods. The purpose of this process is to break the cell walls and release the tea juices, allowing for the polymerization of tea polyphenols, catechins, and other active components, preparing the tea for later fermentation. Additionally, it helps to curl the loose leaves into strips, facilitating an even release of the tea's contents during brewing. The strength of the kneading, duration, and degree of cell wall rupture are closely related to the taste, aroma, and aging potential of the Pu'er tea. The Characteristics of Kneading in Pu'er Tea Among the six major types of Chinese teas, all except traditional white tea undergo a kneading process. However, in many types of tea, the kneading process is primarily for shaping, often using a "light kneading" approach, which is essentially completed without pressure and with very short kneading times. The goal is to achieve a high rate of leaf formation, low breakage, and maintain the original color of…

This is a true conversation that took place between a tea maker with over a decade of experience and a connoisseur who has been storing white tea for the same amount of time, at a white tea factory. Eventually, a rapid moisture analyzer was used to test the controversial batch of white tea, revealing that its moisture content (the percentage of water in the tea leaves) had reached 6.4%. The tea maker's family sourced their tea leaves from a local core area and did a decent job with the white tea production process. Crucially, they never had trouble selling their tea each year, so he didn't have much of an awareness about storing white tea. The oldest teas they could find in the factory were no more than four to five years old, and there wasn't much of it.Why had the moisture content increased from less than 5% when the tea was first made to over 6% now? He couldn't figure it out and didn't seem too worried. In a thriving market, he didn't need to think too much about it.On the other hand, the connoisseur had started learning how to store white tea back in 2009 because he loved…

In recent years, Wugang has actively embraced the concept that green waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold and silver. It has focused on improving quality and strengthening brands while innovatively developing its tea industry, paving a path for sustainable, green, and healthy development.The ancient city of Wugang, a blessed land, is located on the eastern slope of the Xuefeng Mountains and upstream of the Zi River, often referred to as the "Tea Village of Wugang." As early as the beginning of the Kangxi era in the Qing Dynasty, the famous Wugang tea "Yunshan Bud Tea" was designated as tribute tea. Currently, Wugang City has a tea plantation area of 20,680 mu, with an annual production of about 936 tons of raw tea, successfully creating more than twenty series under three types of tea brands: green and black tea. These eco-friendly tea gardens have become the "green banks" for the income growth and prosperity of local residents. In Chitang Village, Dengyuantai Town, the Hanling Tea Garden features rows of tea bushes winding through lush greenery, undulating continuously. Tea farmers move busily among them, presenting a bustling scene of tea picking. The Hanling Tea Garden has a long history,…

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…

A common question I often receive from teapot enthusiasts is: can the speed at which a teapot dries after being watered determine the quality of the clay used? In fact, there is no direct correlation between how quickly a teapot dries and the quality of its clay. Nor should the speed at which water dries be used to distinguish whether a teapot is made of genuine purple clay. Below are several examples to illustrate this: The speed at which the water dries is directly related to the following factors:1. The surface finish (mingzhen) of the teapot: If the surface finish is well-executed, the water will dry faster; otherwise, it will take longer.2. The fineness of the clay (mesh size): A higher mesh size (finer sand particles) means that the body of the teapot is more compact, so the water will naturally dry faster. Conversely, it will take longer. 3. The shape of the teapot: Certain shapes, like the Beauty of West Lake, Dragon Egg, or Siting teapots, do not tend to retain water on their surfaces due to their smooth contours, so they dry quickly. On the other hand, shapes like the Antique, Flat Lotus Cover, or Hollowed Flat teapots…

The red clay teapot is known for its lustrous and graceful appearance, particularly in smaller sizes. It is regarded as an elegant lady from a distinguished family by collectors and is highly favored by enthusiasts. Red Clay Companion Chrysanthemum TeapotThere are many different types of teapots on the market today, all claiming to be made of red clay. Some have very bright colors while others are more subdued, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake ones.What does a genuine "red clay" purple clay teapot look like?What is Red Clay?In Yixing's clay deposits, there is a type of ore called "tender clay," which is found in mountainous areas around Dingshu Town. The red clay ore is located at the lowest layer of this tender clay deposit. Raw Ochre Clay from Zhaozhuang and Firing Test PiecesLater, based on differences in the original layers and degree of weathering, the red clay was classified into ochre clay, small red clay, and large red robe clay, among others. Ochre clay is considered the finest of the red clays and has a higher iron content than other purple clay materials.False Red Clay Teapots1. The teapot shown below is a vivid red and has a…

The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are undesirable. However, this undesirability is not due to toxicity or harm to health but mainly affects the taste and appearance of the tea infusion. Theoretically, these “burnt pieces” can be avoided during the Pu'er tea production process; however, in practical application, they are almost impossible to avoid. The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are essentially scorched tea juice that sticks to the iron wok and is not something dirty. During the process of fixing the fresh leaves, a large amount of water and tea juice overflow from the leaves, while the wok temperature is mostly above 200°C, which is very high. After several batches of fixing, a layer of tea juice forms on the surface of the iron wok, which is scorched black by the high heat and mixes with a small amount of the Pu'er tea material. We mentioned earlier that theoretically, “burnt pieces” can be avoided, and the most direct method would be to carefully clean the iron wok after each batch of fixing and before processing the next batch. If the scorched tea juice on the iron wok is completely washed off, it is theoretically possible to prevent…

Basic Introduction to Qilu Ganhong Tea Ganhong tea has a long and enduring history. It was introduced from Anhui to Shandong during the Ming Dynasty, becoming popular in Laixi and spreading throughout the region, benefiting countless people. It was once presented as a tribute to the imperial court, hence earning the name “Qilu Ganhong.” Ganhong tea is a coarse tea that is directly dried without undergoing rolling. It is an ordinary tea with large leaves and branches, simple and crude. The distinctive features of Ganhong tea are its strong flavor and color, which is red tinged with yellow, offering a sweet and refreshing taste. Nutritional Value Drinking Ganhong tea helps to “reduce salt intake and nourish the stomach,” both of which are scientifically sound. “Reducing salt intake” essentially means it can help eliminate excess salt absorbed by the body. “Nourishing the stomach” refers to warming the stomach, and it also aids in reducing greasiness, accelerating gastric emptying, and achieving the goals of lowering blood lipids and blood pressure. Product Characteristics The tea resembles golden hooks, with a lustrous appearance. Its broth is ruddy and clear, emitting a fragrant aroma. When you gently lift the lid and take a whiff, its…

Hello fellow teapot enthusiasts, have you ever come across this practice where some people, especially when nourishing their teapots at night, like to leave tea leaves and concentrated infusion inside, thinking that this will speed up the patina formation process, making teapot nourishment more efficient and convenient, while also being effective. Is this approach really correct? Can tea leaves and tea water be left in a purple clay teapot overnight? The answer is no. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight for extended periods, particularly during hot summer days, can easily lead to the growth of harmful substances within the teapot. Purple clay teapots are prone to accumulating dark tea stains over time, which become very difficult to clean and may look rather unpleasant, diminishing one’s desire to drink tea. When nourishing a teapot, the hot tea infusion penetrates the pores as steam evaporates, bringing out tea oils onto the surface of the pot. Repeated wiping with a tea cloth forms a patina. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and…

Mr. Liang Zhangju once praised the baking technique of rock tea: “The Wuyi baking method is truly the best in the world.” Here, the baking method refers to traditional charcoal baking. To this day, mid-to-high-end Wuyi rock teas are still largely processed using traditional ancient charcoal baking techniques. Among the baking techniques used for major tea varieties, there is indeed no other tea that surpasses the Wuyi rock tea from Fujian's Wuyi Mountains. The charcoal baking and processing technique for Dahongpao, a type of Wuyi rock tea, is unique to it and has been listed as one of China’s first batch of national intangible cultural heritages. The "Complement to Ben Cao Gang Mu" (Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica) comments on Wuyi rock tea: “All teas are cold in nature; those with weak stomachs often experience stagnation after drinking them. Only Wuyi tea is warm and does not harm the stomach. It is suitable for those who have stopped drinking tea due to addiction.” Charcoal baking, as its name suggests, involves continuously baking tea using the residual heat of high-quality charcoal. During charcoal baking, the temperature in the baking cage is approximately 120 degrees Celsius. Let’s take a look at…

Tea enthusiasts are certainly familiar with Pu'er tea, but not all may know how to truly appreciate it. Today, let's discuss the seven steps to drinking Pu'er tea. Step 1: Observe the Tea Mature production techniques result in cakes that are evenly shaped, compact, and uniform in thickness. With the advent of electrostatic dust removal machines, modern Pu'er teas from reputable manufacturers are free of foreign objects. Prior to 2004, when such machines were not widely used, older teas might have some impurities due to manual sorting. The color distinguishes raw from ripe teas: ripe teas are dark brown, while raw teas range from dark green (young) to brownish-red (aged), transitioning from loose to compact, thin to robust, dry to lustrous. Step 2: Touch the Tea The compactness of the tea indicates its aging potential; loosely packed leaves age faster under equal storage conditions, while tightly packed leaves age more slowly. Surface blending involves sprinkling higher-grade leaves on the surface for a better appearance, while a single-grade cake consists of uniformly graded leaves throughout, without any external embellishment. Step 3: Smell the Dry Tea As the name suggests, use your nose to carefully smell the tea. Pu'er tea improves with…

"Spring wind greens the south again, Biluochun is beautifully winding," it's the time of year when everyone talks about Biluochun. We talk about the fragrant tea that permeates the city, and we also talk about its staggering price. Why is Dongting Biluochun so expensive? What's the reason for its high cost? It's expensive due to its rarity, and also because of the hands involved. Dongting Biluochun, from picking to stir-frying, is done entirely by hand, taking time, effort, and care, inevitably making it costly. The first step to a cup of Jiangnan flavor is picking. How do the tea farmers on Dongting East and West Hills pick tea? When 5% of the tea shoots in the tea garden reach the initial stage of one bud and one leaf, they can be picked according to standards. First Picking The first batch of picking requires thoroughness; only when the first batch is thoroughly picked will the subsequent growth of new tea shoots be uniform in length. Otherwise, the newly sprouted shoots vary in size and length, which the farmers call "chaos." "Chaos on the tree makes it hard to pick, and chaos after picking makes it hard to sort," affecting quality. Leaving…

For Pu'er tea, many tea enthusiasts have the concept of "drink old tea, store new tea." So, how can we determine if a new tea has collection value? First, making a good tea requires many factors. The most critical are the following three aspects: What kind of new tea has the greatest collection value? I. Raw Materials Without good raw materials, no matter how skillful the process is or how correctly it's stored later, the tea cannot develop a good taste during its transformation later on. 1. Tea Variety A good tea is cultivated by people and is also the result of natural selection over thousands of years. Among various tea varieties, the sexual reproduction-based large-leaf type native to Yunnan is best suited for making Pu'er tea. 2. Growing Environment A suitable environment for growing tea trees. This includes appropriate altitude, proper sunlight duration and intensity, well-spaced planting, appropriate intercropping, no need for pesticides due to biodiversity that prevents the occurrence and development of diseases and pests, etc. 3. Picking Parts and Time Different parts of the tea leaves such as the bud tip, leaf, stalk, and yellow leaf play different roles in the post-fermentation process and have different effects…

Drinking white tea does not affect sleep. White tea, which is not fermented and only undergoes withering and drying processes, contains a rich amount of amino acids, flavonoids, and aromatic substances. Drinking it about 2 hours before bedtime will not only have no negative impact on sleep but may even improve its quality. However, when drinking tea in the evening, it is best to keep it light and not overdo it. Additionally, it's not advisable to drink tea too close to bedtime. Does Drinking White Tea Affect Sleep? Drinking a large amount of strong white tea before sleeping can affect sleep due to the prolonged wakefulness-inducing effects of caffeine in white tea. However, moderate consumption may not necessarily affect sleep. White tea leaves contain a rich amount of caffeine and flavanols, which can stimulate the pituitary activity of the brain and increase muscle contraction, helping to relieve fatigue and excite the nervous system, keeping people awake. Drinking a large amount of white tea before bedtime may cause a state of tea drunkenness, leading to insomnia. The concentration of white tea should not be too strong; generally, using 5 grams of white tea leaves for 150 milliliters of water is appropriate.…