The oldest tea trees in the world trace their origins to the Yunnan tea gardens in China. The large leaves of these trees, cultivated in harmony with biodiversity, yield organic tea of remarkable quality, sometimes pressed into their traditional disc shape. Rich in antioxidants, this Chinese tea offers a wealth of natural benefits.
Yunnan tea gardens: living in harmony with nature
China's only tropical region, Yunnan enjoys a spring-like climate year-round and an altitude perfectly suited to organic tea production. Wild tea trees, Pu-erh and other black teas have made this region famous the world over.
The origins of black tea production in Yunnan
Over 2,000 years ago, the historic city of Pu-erh, situated along the ancient Tea Horse Road between China and Tibet, was a thriving centre of trade. Pu-erh, a red/black tea, became the drink of choice among nomads, who bartered it for other goods. To make storage and transport easier, tea leaves were compressed into flat discs.
The reputation of Pu-erh tea reached its peak under the Qing dynasty (1636–1912). The years 1926 to 1936 marked a golden era of production and trade.
Biodiversity in the tea tree plantations
The ethnic communities of the region pay close attention to nature's rhythms. Their organic farming practices have a direct influence on the quality of their produce.
Much like the wild tea tree gardens, tall trees of varied species provide natural, protective shade. They shelter birds, bees and spiders, which keep harmful insects in check. They suppress weeds, and their fallen leaves enrich the soil as natural compost. They also help prevent erosion on sloping terrain.
Beverages and other products from the Yunnan tea tree
Traditional methods of cultivation, harvesting and processing yield an organic tea with a truly distinctive character. The leaves are picked directly from full-grown trees, never cut back into bushes. Thanks to the region's ideal conditions, harvesting takes place throughout the year.
The quality of organic black teas from Yunnan
The large leaves of Yunnan's Camellia sinensis var. assamica are used to craft an organic black tea with exceptional antioxidant properties. The buds are rich in essential oils and give the liquor a warm copper hue. They produce a black tea that is deep and subtly layered, sometimes with a hint of dried fruit.
The quality of the harvest and the size of the tea tree leaves determine the grade of the tea (for example, TGFOP for Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe). Combined with designations such as "Imperial Garden" or "Grand Garden", these grades are often incorporated into the names created by individual tea houses.
Yunnan's Pu-erh dark tea
Pu-erh is the best-known of the dark teas (called red teas in Asia, black teas in the West). It is made from large dried leaves compressed into discs (Tuo Cha) or bird's nest shapes. Raw Pu-erh is a green tea in its unfermented state and, like other green and natural teas, tends toward bitterness. Ripe or cooked Pu-erh is a more modern style, fermented in the factory and produced primarily for export.
Camellia oil: a skin care treasure from the tea tree
The benefits of the tea tree extend to the vegetable oil of Camellia sinensis, also known as green tea oil, obtained by cold-pressing the seeds of the tea tree's flowers. Its nourishing and softening properties make it ideal for use in anti-ageing creams and for protecting dry skin against environmental stressors. It can be applied pure or blended with essential oils.
In France, organic tea figures point to a growing market worth close to 500 million euros. Two in three French people drink tea (around 250 g per year) and one in two drinks herbal infusions. The French tea trade is adapting accordingly, with strong growth in both sales and distribution channels. Tea room and tea shop franchises are expanding rapidly. French consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for organic teas and infusions. The cup of tea still has a bright future ahead.