Mi Di Tea has finer twists, many buds, a yellow-green broth, and distinct bitterness and astringency, with the bitterness more pronounced than the astringency. The bitterness transforms into a sweet aftertaste, and there is a hint of Orchid fragrance in the tea aroma. Despite its low yield, Mi Di tea is of high quality and favored by many tea enthusiasts. So how is Mi Di Pu'er tea produced?
The Production Method of Mi Di Tea
1. Withering: This process allows for the loss of some of the moisture in the fresh leaves. During the moisture loss, some aroma compounds are formed, and some large-molecule ester-soluble sugars are hydrolyzed into small-molecule water-soluble sugars.
2. Fixation: The Raw material used for Pu'er raw tea is Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea. Sun-dried green tea is often pan-fired. Due to the high moisture content of the large-leaf variety, fixation must combine covering and shaking to ensure uniform moisture loss and quickly deactivate enzyme activity at high temperatures to prevent oxidation of polyphenols. Some of the moisture is also evaporated, making it easier to roll the leaves into strips.
3. Rolling: This breaks down the cells of the tea leaves to ensure that the tea essence is fully extracted during brewing. Rolling should be adjusted based on the tenderness of the leaves; tender leaves are rolled gently and for a shorter time, while older leaves are rolled more vigorously and for longer. Rolling should continue until the leaves are mostly in strip form.
4. Drying: The rolled leaves are naturally sun-dried, preserving the organic matter and active substances in the tea to the greatest extent possible. The surface cell pores of sun-dried tea leaves are the largest, which is beneficial for generating substantial heat during Fermentation.
5. Steaming and Pressing: The dried tea leaves are steamed to moisten them, then placed in different molds and pressed into shape.
6. Drying: The moisture content is controlled to below a level safe for storage, typically requiring the moisture content of Pu'er tea to be less than 10%.
Characteristics of Mi Di Pu'er Tea
Mi Di Pu'er tea has finer twists, many buds, a clear yellow-green broth, and an even leaf base. Its aroma is clear and uplifting with a hint of orchid fragrance. The mountain character is distinct, leaving an aroma in the cup. The taste has distinct bitterness and astringency, with the bitterness more pronounced than the astringency, transforming into sweetness. The aftertaste is sweet, smooth, and refreshing, with a rich and stimulating flavor. It is highly resistant to steeping and has ample aroma, living up to its tribute tea name.