Discover the history of Pu Erh tea, the Chinese infusion from Yunnan

What is the history of Yunnan black tea?

The history of Menghai black tea in Yunnan begins under the Tang dynasty. It was then a trade product between Chinese and Tibetan merchants. It's likely that the tea leaves fermented during expeditions. The Chinese infusion then produces the rich-tasting black tea of today's cakes.

What adventures brought Pu Erh teas to modern times?

Under the Chinese Ming Empire, Pu Erh teas fell from grace. However, in the confines of Yunnan, in Menghai, the cultivation of organic tea cake continued. When the Qing took Chinese power, Yunnan black tea regained a place of honor. It was then renamed "Pu Erh tea". Menghai remains its manufacturing and production center.

Where does the tea cake tradition come from?

Originally, Pu Erh traveled along the Ancient Tea Route between Yunnan, China, and Tibet. Pu Erh was the tea of nomads who traded it for other goods. Compression into cakes made storage easier. At the time, loose tea production was the only existing type. The cake format allowed producers to package it easily for transportation.

How has the cake tradition evolved?

The Pu Erh cake has evolved very little over the centuries. The Mao Cha is weighed and placed in a perforated container. Steam relaxes the Mao Cha leaves, which compress. The tea leaves are then placed in a cloth and pressed under a stone (or other heavy items). Once dried, the leaf cake is placed in a bamboo tong to develop its aromatic notes. After fermentation, the cake is ready.

Where does Pu Erh, the famous Chinese tea, come from?

Pu Erh tea is harvested from tea trees growing in the Yunnan mountains. Most trees are wild and therefore provide tea leaves. However, traces of cultivation in the wild have been found along the road that crosses the Yunnan mountains.

There are two types of Pu Erh teas:

• The Sheng Cha, or green Pu Erh;
• The Shu Cha, or red or black Pu Erh.

The dark Pu Erh tea leaves have undergone gentle fermentation during storage. The taste of this organic infusion has more pronounced notes. Producers make luxury infusions from it.

Is organic Pu Erh really a Yunnan black tea?

Pu Erh is a dark tea originating from Menghai, in the Yunnan region. In China and Europe, this tea is classified as black because it has undergone fermentation during storage. However, other European black teas are classified as red in China.

Which tea tree cultivation produces Pu Erh tea?

Like oolong teas, Pu Erh teas come from Camellia Sinensis leaves. These tea trees grow in the wild, in the gardens of Yunnan mountains, China. The largest leaves are used to form the cakes. First picked loose from wild trees, they are then transformed into cakes by producers.