Yiwu, the origin of the ancient Tea horse trail, is a holy land for Pu'er tea and known as the “tribute tea hometown.”
During the second year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty, a large number of craftsmen and tea aficionados flocked to Yiwu, forming a pattern where “every household had tea and every family drank tea.” By the Qianlong period, Pu'er tea was presented to the imperial court and became highly favored by the royal family, listed as a tribute tea. From then on, it gained significant fame and prestige throughout the capital.
As a town renowned for its tribute teas and now popular in the tea world, Yiwu is one of the core regions in the fierce competition for Pu'er tea raw materials. Every year, many tea enthusiasts make pilgrimages to the ancient town of Yiwu, which has always been a coveted location for merchants.
Some may think that speculation plays a major role, but in reality, only by tasting pure and authentic old teas from Yiwu can one truly understand their value, which stems from the inherent superiority of the tea itself!
In the Pu'er tea world, there is a saying: “Ban Zhang is the king, Yiwu is the queen.” This refers to the fact that teas produced in the Yiwu mountain area have a delicate taste, fragrant and sweet broth, like a gentle queen.
Yiwu is the largest tea mountain among the six major tea mountains. A simple sentence might not fully and accurately describe every type of tea in the Yiwu tea area. Different peaks have different characteristics, and the characteristics of the teas vary accordingly.
Today, we will introduce Yiwu in two parts: first, the common features of the Yiwu tea area and its teas; second, the characteristics of villages and teas.
Common Features of the Yiwu Tea Area and Its Teas
The ancient tea trees of Yiwu are scattered among wild forests, with superior ecological conditions, high organic matter content in the soil, and long periods of diffuse light reflection. The excellent ecological environment ensures that Yiwu tea forms unique qualities at the raw material stage, characterized by fragrance, softness, sweetness, and moisture.
Unique Honey Aroma: Yiwu tea has a distinctive honey aroma, especially the ancient tree teas. The honey aroma is most pronounced in the first spring harvest each year.
Charming Smooth Broth: When it comes to smoothness, Yiwu is unmatched. The broth of Yiwu tea is finely textured and smooth, offering a sensation of uniform silkiness. The aftertaste, salivation, and throat resonance are subtle, yet the flavor is persistently strong. This is also the characteristic “softness with strength” of Yiwu tea.
Relatively Fast Aging Speed: After time's sedimentation (generally after three years), the quality and fullness of Yiwu tea broth can be described as “rich, delicate, stable, and robust,” with a “sufficient and lasting honey aroma.” Older teas demonstrate the feature of “the older the tea, the stronger the Qi.”
Characteristics of Some Villages and Their Teas
“Every mountain has tea trees, and every village grows tea.” Each of the “seven villages and eight hamlets” in the Yiwu tea area has its own charm, and the teas produced in these villages have distinct personalities.
“Seven Villages”: Mahēi Village, Gaoshan Village, Luoshuidong Village, Manxiu Village, Sanheshe Village, Yibi Village, and Zhangjiawan Village.
“Eight Hamlets”: Guafengzhaizhai, Wan Gongzhaizhai, Dingjiazaizhai, Jiugaozhaizhai, Dazhaizhai, Mansazhaizhai, Xin Zhaizhai, and Luodezhaizhai.
1) Mahēi Village
Mahēi Village is the village with the widest area and highest yield of ancient tea trees among all the ancient tea mountains in Yiwu. Mahēi Village belongs to the administrative village under the jurisdiction of Mazhei Village Committee, Yiwu Township, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is located in a mountainous area, at an altitude of 1,331 meters. Located in the northeast, it is 9 kilometers away from Yiwu Township.
Mahēi is one of the famous tea mountains in Yiwu. There are tea gardens everywhere in this village, surrounded by forests, and the natural landscape is excellent. The ecological environment of the tea gardens is good, and Mahēi tea stands out in the field of raw Pu'er teas.
The tea leaves produced in Mahēi Village have broad, dark green surfaces; the tea strings are tightly knotted, evenly sized, and exceptionally black and shiny; the aroma is prominent, with ample tea qi and high sweetness and low bitterness. The broth is clear and bright, highly brewable, and recognized historically for becoming more fragrant over time.
2) Gaoshan Village
Gaoshan Village is a pure Yi ethnic village that still preserves many ancient tea gardens. The tea trees are tall, requiring ladders or climbing to pick them.
In recent years, the tea-making techniques in Gaoshan Village have improved significantly. Coupled with high-quality tea raw materials, the products are very popular. The tea strings are tightly knotted and well-integrated, with a golden and transparent broth, a dense and persistent honey aroma, a lingering aftertaste, and a fragrant empty cup. They are treasures for Pu'er tea enthusiasts.
3) Manxiu Village
Manxiu Village is 3 kilometers away from the township government and is a pure Han ethnic village. It is a must-pass point to reach Mahēi Village and Guafengzhaizhai.
Tea production in Manxiu Village still maintains traditional tea-making craftsmanship. The tea strings are tightly knotted, complete, gray-brown with visible Silver tips. The broth is slightly golden, with a high and persistent aroma, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
4) Luoshuidong Village
Luoshuidong was originally named Manluo. Later, it was renamed “Luoshuidong” because of a large hole within the village connected to an underground river that never fills up. The village is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Behind the village stands a famous giant tea king tree, a place tea lovers must visit.
Luoshuidong is a Han ethnic village, and the ancient tea horse road passes through the village. The quality of the tea produced here is excellent, and the processing techniques are authentic. The tea strings are tightly knotted, evenly sized, and lustrous and dark. The broth is golden and transparent, with a sweet and smooth taste, prominent honey aroma, deep tea rhyme, and a lingering aftertaste, making it irresistible.
5) Guafengzhaizhai
Guafengzhaizhai is a border village inhabited purely by the Yao ethnic group, bordering Laos, 31 kilometers away from the township government. The tea gardens here are all located within state-owned forests, with ancient tea trees mostly over 500 years old, at an altitude of 1,203 meters.
The ancient tree teas of Guafengzhaizhai coexist with primary forests, scattered across 50 square kilometers of primary forest. Exposed to less direct sunlight, they receive diffuse light and are subject to less artificial management. The growth rate of these tea leaves is relatively slow, and the tea trees grow dispersedly, maintaining natural growth, resulting in a thick and substantial taste with a strong wild character.
The characteristics of the ancient tree teas of Guafengzhaizhai: the tea qi is deep and full, with a strong aftertaste, rapid salivation, rich layers, and is extremely brewable. The broth is bright and transparent, a rare treasure among teas.
The ancient tree teas of Guafengzhaizhai have a unique wild character, a broad and atmospheric taste, a heavy and wild flavor, while also retaining the characteristics of fragrant and soft water in the Yiwu region.