The oldest tea trees in the world have their origins in the Yunnan tea gardens, in China. The large leaves of these trees, cultivated with respect for biodiversity, produce quality organic tea and sometimes, in the original form of compressed cakes. Rich in antioxidants, this Chinese tea offers numerous health benefits.
The Yunnan tea gardens in harmony with nature
The only tropical region in China, Yunnan benefits from a spring-like climate throughout the year and an altitude conducive to the production of organic teas. Wild tea trees, puerh and other black teas have made this region famous.
The origins of black tea production in Yunnan
Over 2,000 years ago, the historic city of Puerh, located on the Tea Horse Road between China and Tibet, was a centre of trade. Puerh, a red/black tea, became the drink of nomads who exchanged it for other goods. For easier storage and transport, the tea leaves were compressed into cakes.
The reputation of puerh tea reached its peak under the Qing dynasty (1636–1912). The years 1926–1936 marked a period of great prosperity for the production and sale of teas.
Biodiversity in tea tree plantations
The ethnic communities of the region pay close attention to the rhythms of nature. Their practice of organic farming has an influence on the quality of their products.
Just like in wild tea tree gardens, large trees of various species provide natural protective shade. They serve as a refuge for birds, bees and spiders that control the invasion of harmful insects. They eliminate weeds, and their fallen leaves produce fertiliser. They also protect against erosion on sloping terrain.
Beverages and other products from the Yunnan tea tree
The application of traditional cultivation, harvesting and processing methods produces an organic tea with a unique flavour. Harvesting is done directly from the trees, which are not pruned into shrubs. Thanks to ideal conditions, picking takes place throughout the year.
The quality of organic black teas produced in Yunnan
The large leaves of the Camellia Sinensis assamica variety from Yunnan are used to produce a variety of organic black tea that is particularly rich in antioxidants. Their buds are rich in essential oils and give a copper colour. They yield a deep and subtle black tea, sometimes with a hint of dried fruit.
The quality of the harvest and the size of the tea tree's leaves determine the grades of the tea (for example, TGFOP for Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe). Combined with designations such as "imperial garden" or "grand garden", they are often used in the names created by each tea house in France.
Yunnan dark tea (erh or puerh)
Puerh is the best-known of the dark teas (called red in Asia, black in the West). It is made from large dried leaves compressed into a cake (Tuo Cha) or a bird's nest shape. Puerh is a green tea when it is raw, meaning unfermented. Like green and natural teas, it tends to be rather bitter. Black or cooked puerh comes from a more modern production process. It is fermented in the factory and intended for export.
Vegetable oil: a skin care product derived from the tea tree
The list of virtues of the tea plant extends to the vegetable oil of camellia sinensis, or green tea oil, obtained by cold pressing the seeds of the tea plant's flowers. Its nourishing and soothing properties make it ideal in anti-ageing creams and for protecting dry skin from external aggressors. It can be used pure or blended with essential oils.
In France, organic tea figures show a growing market worth nearly 500 million euros. Two in three French people drink tea (250 g per year) and one in two drink herbal teas. French businesses are adapting, and the revenue figures for the tea trade show full growth in sales and distribution channels. Tea room and shop franchises are growing strongly. French consumers do not hesitate to pay a higher price for organic teas or herbal infusions. The cup of tea still has a bright future.