Ming dynasty

The Ming Dynasty was a significant period of reform in tea drinking history. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, recognized the hard work of tea farmers and issued an edict to "abolish compressed tea in favor of loose tea." This decree marked the end of compressed and cake teas, ushering in the era of loose leaf tea in China. Xiuning Songluo Tea was created during this early Ming period. Songluo tea is known as the "ancestor of stir-fried green teas," renowned for its "green color, high fragrance, and strong flavor," which distinguishes it from other green teas. There are records stating that "in Anhui, there is Songluo tea, whose taste surpasses Longjing but falls below Tianchi" (Yuan Hongdao, Ming Dynasty). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Songluo Mountain was a Buddhist holy site. As early as the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the Yinfu Temple on Songluo Mountain had already become famous throughout southern China, with abundant offerings and worship. Songluo tea originates from this mountain. According to "Tea Record" by Feng Shike of the Ming Dynasty, Songluo Dafang was first created by the monk Dafang. 1. Harvesting and Processing of Songluo Tea The harvesting and…

Kaihua Longding Tea is produced in Baisan, Qixi Township, Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province. It is a newly created tea brand that started in 1959. Kaihua County is located at the junction of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces in western Zhejiang, at the source of the Qiantang River. The mountains in the county run from northwest to southeast, and it has a warm and humid subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, frequent cloud cover, and less sunlight. On average, there are 83 foggy days per year, with some areas having over 120 foggy days annually. The area is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, making it one of the cloudiest mountainous regions in Zhejiang province. As the saying goes, "High mountains and cloudy mists produce fine tea," and indeed, Kaihua County is an excellent place for growing green tea. The main types of soil in tea gardens within Kaihua County are red soil and yellow soil. Red soils are mostly found below 650 meters altitude in low hills, with a soil layer thickness of 30 cm to 60 cm, organic matter content of 1.44% to 4.05%, and pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. Yellow soils are mainly distributed in…

Guipa Tea is a specialty product of Xiangzhou County, Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and is a Chinese National Geographical Indication product. The name “Guipa Tea” comes from Guipa Village nearby, where it is produced, and it is renowned for its sweet taste, beautiful shape, and fresh color. Name: Guipa Tea Year of Registration: 2020 Place of Origin: Xiangzhou County, Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Quality Characteristics: tight and twisted with green color and downy appearance, strong aroma with floral notes, bright yellow-green infusion, sweet and mellow flavor, and light green leaf base. Product Introduction Guipa Tea has tight and twisted leaves with a green color and downy appearance, a strong aroma with floral notes, a bright yellow-green infusion, a sweet and mellow flavor, and a light green leaf base. Sensory Characteristics Guipa Tea has tight and twisted leaves with a green color and downy appearance, a strong aroma with floral notes, a bright yellow-green infusion, a sweet and mellow flavor, and a light green leaf base. Intrinsic Quality Indicators The main quality indicators of Guipa Tea are controlled within the following ranges: caffeine ≥2%, tea polyphenols ≥20%, water-soluble extracts ≥40%, total free amino acids ≥4%. Safety Requirements:…

Wandering through the streets of Chengdu, you'll find a teahouse every few steps. People gather to leisurely drink tea from gaiwans, enjoy local snacks, and listen to Sichuan opera – it's a comfortable life... Tracing the Origin of the Gaiwan Sichuanese not only love drinking tea but also invented the convenient gaiwan. Since the Ming Dynasty, gaiwans have been in use for hundreds of years. Even today, whether it's beginners learning about tea or experienced tea enthusiasts brewing tea, gaiwans are commonly seen. Gaiwans are made of stable materials that do not easily absorb flavors. They are easy to use and suitable for brewing all types of tea while allowing the tea leaves to exhibit their original flavors. They are considered the fairest and most impartial tea brewing tools. Therefore, seasoned tea drinkers and enthusiasts often choose gaiwans when trying out teas. In their hands, gaiwans are used with ease. Even when the water temperature is high, they remain calm and composed, appearing graceful and smooth to outsiders. However, when one attempts to brew tea themselves, they realize that using a gaiwan can be quite hot on the hands. When the hand shakes severely, one might think: "This isn't elegant…

"I would rather abstain from alcohol all my life than go a single meal without tea." China’s tea culture has a long and rich history, and drinking tea has always been an essential part of maintaining health. However, there is a right way to drink tea. If you don't do it correctly, you may end up harming your stomach. The Tea Editor will now list some harmful tea-drinking habits that can severely damage your stomach. Let's see if you fall into any of these categories? 1 Habit of Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★★ Drinking tea on an empty stomach is one of the most damaging tea-drinking habits! On an empty stomach, some active compounds in tea can bind with proteins in the stomach, stimulating it and easily causing harm. In addition to stimulating the stomach and intestines, drinking tea on an empty stomach dilutes digestive juices, affecting digestion. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the limbs, mental confusion, and nausea. For those who do not regularly drink tea, especially when drinking strong tea on an empty stomach in the morning, these symptoms are more likely to occur. This phenomenon is medically referred to as "tea…

Shiting Green Tea is produced in the town of Fengzhou, Nanshi City, Fujian Province, at Lotus Peak on Jiuri Mountain. The tea at Lotus Peak is not only a beverage but also a scenic feature. On the rocks of Lotus Peak are inscribed the words “Lotus Tea (i.e., tea) bosom,” which means: standing on Lotus Peak and looking down, one sees an expanse of green tea fields. The inscription of “Lotus Tea Bosom” dates to Taiyuan Bingzi (376 AD). This is the earliest known record of tea in Fujian Province, predating Lu Yu's Tcha: A Treatise on Tea by more than 300 years. This suggests that tea production at Lotus Peak dates back to the Jin Dynasty, attesting to the long history of Shiting Green Tea. From the Jin Dynasty through the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the development of Lotus Peak tea was rapid. In a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Han Wu, he writes: "Seeking the old man among the cliffs for immortality herbs, the local custom is to gather tea songs," indicating that tea picking was already a common practice. By the Northern Song Dynasty, the development of Lotus tea reached unprecedented heights, with scholars visiting the…

## Abstract: China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with a widespread origin story. This article analyzes the historical background, cultural connotations, production techniques, taste characteristics, value and benefits, and market development of Douyun Maojian tea to illustrate its history, culture, and modern value. Please bear with any limitations or errors (personal views; April 2024). **Keywords:** China; Tea culture; Douyun Maojian; Historical and cultural aspects; Modern value  *Image source: Network* ### I. Historical Background of Douyun Maojian Tea #### 1.1 Origin and Legends China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with widely circulated origins and legends. It is said that the legend of Douyun Maojian tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, there was a master of tea studies named Lu Yu who discovered a type of tea tree in the Douyun area during his travels in Guizhou. This tea tree grew at higher altitudes, with thick, tender buds that were fine, uniform, and covered in prominent downy hairs. Lu Yu praised this tea highly, considering it of excellent quality. He made tea from these leaves, finding the taste exceptional.…

Metal utensils are among the oldest in China, made from materials such as gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. Before Qin Shi Huang unified China, bronze vessels were already widely used, both for alcohol and for holding tea or water. As tea became a beverage, tea ware gradually separated from other types of utensils. Around the Northern and Southern Dynasties, China saw the emergence of silver and gold tea ware. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the production of silver and gold utensils reached its peak. From the Song Dynasty onwards, opinions on metal tea ware were mixed. After the Yuan Dynasty, especially starting from the Ming Dynasty, with innovations in tea varieties, changes in tea-drinking methods, and the rise of ceramic tea ware, metal tea ware, including those made of silver, gradually disappeared. Particularly, tea ware made of tin, iron, and lead was believed to alter the taste of tea, leading to their rare usage. Silver and gold tea ware can be classified by material: those made of silver are called silver tea ware, while those made of gold are called gold tea ware. Silverware decorated with gold foil or gilded is referred to as gilded tea ware. Due…

The Qing Dynasty saw the emergence of black tea, oolong tea, white tea, dark tea, and yellow tea in addition to green tea, forming the six major categories of tea. Regardless of the type of tea, the brewing method from the Ming Dynasty of directly infusing tea leaves was still used. Under these circumstances, the types and forms of tea wares in the Qing Dynasty did not significantly deviate from the standards set during the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, teacups and teapots were typically made of clay or porcelain, with the Kangxi and Qianlong periods being particularly prosperous times for their production, especially those known as “Jingdezhen porcelain and Yixing clay.” Premium porcelain tea wares of the Qing Dynasty were mostly produced in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, while production in Dehua, Fujian; Liling, Hunan; Tangshan, Hebei; Zibo, Shandong; and Yaozhou, Shaanxi also thrived but did not match Jingdezhen in terms of quality and quantity. During this period, in addition to continuing the production of blue-and-white porcelain and polychrome porcelain tea wares, new types such as pink-ground enamel and cloisonné enamel tea wares were created. Yixing purple clay tea wares of the Qing Dynasty developed further while preserving traditional techniques. During…

The practice of treating new purple clay pots to resemble old ones, which are then sold as genuine antiques for huge profits, is known as "making new look old." Common methods include:1. Coating Method. A mixture made from strong tea juice, edible oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, etc., is applied to the surface of a new pot.2. Boiling Method. New pots are boiled in concentrated tea broth, dried, and then boiled again repeatedly until they appear dull and aged.3. Oil Rubbing Method. Shoe polish of a similar color is rubbed onto the surface of a new pot.4. Earth Burial Method. New pots are buried in soil to fade their fresh appearance.How, then, can one distinguish so-called "old pots" or "antique pots"? Look at the clay color:Clay used before the mid-Qing Dynasty mostly shows a muddy yellow hue, as people did not yet know how to add iron oxide powder to adjust the color. Chen Mingyuan's Flat-Footed Square PotLook at the shape:During Shi Dabin's era, pots with ribbed patterns dominated. During the "Man Sheng Pots" craze, geometric shapes were prevalent. For example, Cheng Shouzhen only made three styles – "Duiqiu," "Fanggu," and "Hanbian" – in his later years. Cheng Shouzhen's Duiqiu…

In the eleventh year of Chongzhen (1638 AD), in May, Xu Xiake entered Yunnan from Guizhou, marking the final chapter of his life's travels. For him, perhaps the most memorable thing about Yunnan was the availability of excellent tea everywhere he went, "sufficient to console the traveler." In *Xu Xiake's Travel Notes*, he recorded over 80 tea-related events during his journey, nearly 60 of which took place in Yunnan. This reflects the popularity of tea drinking in Ming Dynasty Yunnan. Not long after his Yunnan travels, in the fourteenth year of Chongzhen (1641 AD), Xu Xiake passed away in his hometown Jiangyin. Three years later, Qing troops crossed the pass, and the Ming-Qing dynastic change began, with warfare quickly spreading to Yunnan. From the rebellion of the local chieftain Sha Dingzhou in the second year of Shunzhi (1645 AD) to the Qing forces' pacification of Yunnan in the first year of Kangxi (1662 AD), and finally the suppression of Wu Sangui's rebellion in the twentieth year of Kangxi (1681 AD), the continuous warfare for almost 40 years had long erased the prosperity of tea culture that Xu Xiake had described. It wasn't until the Qianlong era that Pu'er tea from…

Last July, collector Liu Yiqian purchased the “Meiyintang Collection Ming Dynasty Chenghua Imperial Chicken Cup” for HK$280 million and, in his excitement, used it to take a sip of Pu'er tea. This most expensive sip of tea in history has been the subject of much discussion. "The emperor's wine goblet, the tycoon's teacup." Today we will talk about this priceless "Chicken Cup." The Chicken Cup was originally an exquisite wine vessel and served as the personal wine cup of the Ming Dynasty Chenghua Emperor. It has a flared rim, shallow belly, and a splayed foot. The cup is decorated with a doucai painting of roosters, hens, and chicks, interspersed with rocks, orchids, and peonies, hence the name Chicken Cup. The doucai Chicken Cup from the Ming Chenghua period once enjoyed great fame. Every dynasty during the Qing era produced imitations, with those made during the Kangxi and Yongzheng reigns being the best, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. The Qing dynasty author Zhu Yan wrote in his book Ceramics Lore: "The best products of the Cheng kiln were the five-colored wares, and among wine cups, the Chicken Cup was the finest. During the reign of the Wanli Emperor, a single…

As tea culture continues to evolve, people’s requirements for tea ware have become increasingly higher. Not only is there a demand for its functionality, but also for its aesthetic value. It can be said that the more exquisite the tea ware, the more pleasant the tea tasting experience becomes. Therefore, fine tea ware often adds much enjoyment to tea drinking. Due to their different materials used in production, tea wares can be categorized into earthenware tea ware, porcelain tea ware, metal tea ware, glass tea ware, and bamboo & wood tea ware. Each type has its own unique charm and brings a different kind of enjoyment during tea tasting. 1. Earthenware Tea Ware Earthenware tea ware is the earliest type of tea ware in China. As early as the initial period of Northern Song Dynasty, earthenware tea ware had already taken shape. Since it is fired at high temperatures and densely sintered, it is both leak-proof and has microscopic pores invisible to the naked eye. This means it neither heats up too quickly nor gets too hot to handle. Furthermore, the shapes of earthenware tea ware are often simple yet elegant with various forms and colors that are rustic and…

In most people's minds, antiques are valuable and have the potential to appreciate in value. Thus, many believe that this is also the case when it comes to collecting purple clay teapots. Graphics and Text | Sandhai Mo Yun To date, the earliest known and dated purple clay teapot discovered was the "Wu Jing Tiliang" unearthed in Nanjing in 1965. Purple clay teapots from the Ming and Qing dynasties are certainly "antiques" compared to modern ones. Ming Dynasty Wu Jing Tiliang But does that mean that all Ming and Qing dynasty teapots are valuable? The answer is clearly no. Only those Ming and Qing dynasty teapots that meet certain necessary conditions can be considered valuable "antiques." Below, Xiao Yun will analyze what makes a Ming and Qing dynasty teapot valuable (necessary conditions). 01 A Genuine Ming or Qing Dynasty Teapot When considering whether a Ming or Qing dynasty teapot is valuable, the first step is to determine if it is truly an old teapot rather than a modern imitation of an old one. Faux-Aged Imitation Teapot There are now people who specifically collect old teapots, leading to a significant number of fake old teapots on the market. Some individuals even…

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…

The Drum-bellied Handle Pot and the square seal on the bottom reading “Made by Shao Yunsi” Early purple clay pots were mostly handle pots, as they were not used for steeping tea, but rather as water-heating utensils. With a handle, it was convenient to place them over fire or on a stove. Purple clay handle pots have been excavated from Song Dynasty kiln sites in Yangjiaoshan, Yixing, and the earliest dated purple clay pot in the Nanjing Museum collection is also a handle pot. It is said that Zhao Liang, one of the four great masters of the Ming Dynasty, specialized in making purple clay handle pots, but actual examples are hard to find. Some may exist without his mark, leaving their attribution uncertain. After the late Ming Dynasty, purple clay pots began to be used directly for steeping tea, but the handle did not disappear. To this day, handle pots are preserved as traditional purple clay forms. The pot shown in the figure is a purple clay handle pot, measuring 13.4 cm tall overall, with a flush-fitting lid, a flattened round knob, and a three-curved spout. Its body is shaped like a drum, both the lid and the base…

Scented tea originated in the Song Dynasty, began to be produced in the Ming Dynasty and was perfected in the Qing Dynasty. In the late Qing Dynasty, Zhang Changyi established Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop, which has been passed down through generations, specializing in the production and sale of jasmine tea. During the Republican era, Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea became well-known throughout Beijing. Regulars at bathhouses and theaters almost always requested Zhang Yiyuan tea by name, and Peking Opera masters such as Qiu Shengrong, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, and others were all regular customers of Zhang Yiyuan. Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea is made using spring tea from Fujian oolong green tea as the base tea, which is scented multiple times with jasmine flowers. Zhang Yiyuan Teahouse bustling with customers Production Techniques 1. Raw Material Inspection (Tea Base and Flowers Inspection): Strictly inspect the tea base, and select jasmine flowers that are full-bodied, evenly sized, and have a lustrous white color. 2. Tea Base Processing: Process different grades of tea into piles for refined production, requiring the tea base moisture content to reach 8%, with an appearance that is clean, uniform, and free of foreign objects. 3. Flower Processing: The jasmine flowers…

"White Peony tea," a precious variety, is produced in Zhenghe, known as the "Hometown of Chinese White Tea." White Peony tea is picked at the stage of one bud and two leaves, requiring that the buds and leaves are covered with white down, referred to as "three whites." The shape of the tea is two leaves embracing a bud, with a natural leaf posture and white down covering the back of the leaves. After brewing, the liquor turns apricot yellow or orange-yellow, clear and bright, with a fresh and lasting downy fragrance. The veins are slightly red, scattered among the green leaves, earning it the praise of "red dress on a white body." The preparation method for drinking White Peony tea is similar to that of green tea but, due to the lack of kneading, the tea juice does not easily seep out, so the brewing time is slightly longer than for green tea. "White like clouds, green like dreams, clean like snow, fragrant like orchids," this tea, which is cold and cool in nature, has the effects of heat-clearing and summer-heat dispelling, making it an excellent drink for refreshing the heart and purifying the spirit in summer. It is…

Caring for a pot is like cultivating one’s character; both are long processes. While savoring tea, you also nurture the pot, and in doing so, you also cultivate your own nature. Here are six key points to caring for your pot: New Pot Initial Care After purchasing a new pot, wash off any surface dust and inner clay debris with water or a cloth. Then brew several infusions of tea in the pot and let the residual heat steep the pot until the tea cools slightly. Repeat this process to remove any earthy taste from the new pot and provide it with its first nourishment. After completing these steps, clean the new pot and it will be ready for use. Brewed Tea Nourishment Whether new or old, take the example of brewing black tea. After making tea with boiling water, use the lid to gently skim off any foam that appears at the mouth of the pot. Close the lid for about one to two minutes. Pour the tea from the pot into a decanter with a tea strainer, then distribute the tea from the decanter into individual aroma cups or tasting cups. Pour the tea from the small cups…

The reputation of "Golden Tea" and its unique qualities have long been a subject of interest. Recently, the "Digital Intelligence Tea Exploration Team" from Hunan Business University traveled to Jinhuang Village in Xiangxi, Baoding County, to study the historical and cultural background of Golden Tea as well as its production techniques. Group photo of the Digital Intelligence Tea Exploration Team. On the morning of July 16th, the "Digital Intelligence Tea Exploration Team" arrived at Jinhuang Village. Through conversations with Shi Yingchao, the Party branch secretary of the village, the historical narrative behind Golden Tea gradually unfolded. During the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing period, when Inspector-General Lu Jie passed through Baoding, he was fortunate enough to be offered tea made from leaves of a century-old tea tree by a local Miao grandmother. The tea cured the officials of the miasma they had contracted. In gratitude, Lu Jie gifted the grandmother a bar of gold and presented the tea to the imperial court. Since then, the tea has been known for its reputation of being "worth an ounce of gold for an ounce of tea." In addition to preserving tea culture, the village also emphasizes innovative development. In recent years, the village has…

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…

Black tea is the second largest category of teas in China and the most widely sold type of tea worldwide. The origin of black tea can be traced back to China, where it was first produced over 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty by tea farmers in Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province, as Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong. In terms of processing techniques, due to differences in rolling methods and fresh leaf varieties, black tea can be classified into: Gongfu Black Tea, Xiao Zhong Black Tea, and Broken Black Tea. Xiao Zhong Black Tea is the oldest type of black tea, originally produced in Wuyi Mountain, and is also the progenitor of other black teas; Gongfu Black Tea comes in many varieties, produced in different regions, such as Qimen Gongfu Black Tea mainly produced in Qimen County, Anhui Province, and Dian Hong Gongfu from Yunnan Province; Broken Black Tea is produced across a wide range of areas and is primarily for export. Although there are different classifications of black tea, the basic process generally includes "withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying." As a fully fermented tea, the core and soul of black tea is its "fermentation," which is a critical step in…

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…

Dark tea is one of the six major types of Chinese tea that involves microbial fermentation in the formation of its quality and flavor. In 2021, China's total production of dark tea reached 396,900 tons, ranking third among the six major types of tea. In 2022, China's dark tea industry entered a new phase of high-quality development. Since the late 1980s, the team of tea experts from Hunan Agricultural University has successively conducted basic research, technological innovation, and product innovation on dark tea, scientifically interpreting the drinking attributes and health benefits of Anhua dark tea. As the health benefits of dark tea have been continuously confirmed by research, it has gradually become an ideal beverage for people to prevent sub-health. I. Tea-Horse Trade and the Origin of Dark Tea The exact time of origin of dark tea remains uncertain. The term "dark tea" was already in use during the mid-Ming Dynasty. The emergence of dark tea is inseparable from the long-lasting tea-horse trade between central China and the border regions. It may have been the long-distance transportation between inland and border areas, between producing and consuming areas, that gave rise to the durable and transportable dark tea category. Therefore, it…