|
There are many kinds of tea, but roughly, tea is classified into several kinds according to different way of processing: non-fermented tea, of which Green Tea is the most typical; half-fermented tea, which is represented mainly by Wu-Long Tea from coastal provinces in southeast of country; and well-fermented tea, in this category Black Tea is what we are most familiar with. Pu'er tea is from Green Tea, through further process, lightly fermented, the most significant character is, it carries profound culture and history background...... |
|
|
From fresh tea buds on branches of tea plants in the plantation, to the finished tea merchandise in elaborate packing on the market or in display windows of shops, who cares how this change is achieved? Our ancestors were fated to pay hard work for tea industry development in the history due to poor productive and transport conditions, fortunately, their travail didn't go to waste, the technology of producing Pu'er Tea they gained through practice and daily work might be the best reward in return...... |
|
|
The existence of these old tea trees proved that Yunnan is one of the earliest tea growing areas in the world, their ages range from 800 years to 2700 years, their varieties include both the wild and the domestic. Such aged tea trees are widely distributed in warmer south of Yunnan, especially Simao and Xishuangbanna regions, they were hidden in dense forest or at pretty secluded places, have been watching world change through centuries, and witnessed ebb and flow of tea industry in Yunan...... |
|
|
As early as about 1300 years ago, some native ethnic groups in Yunnan, Pu, ancestor of Bulang Ethnic People for example, began to domesticate wild tea for daily consumption, they cultivated species suitable for planting and started well-organized tea plantations. Most ancient tea plantations from that time have been enshrouded by dense forest due to vicissitude of history, but elapsing time didn't dilapidate all of them, some were passed down and inherited by descendants of ethnic growers, and are still bearing buds to support the local economy...... |
|
|
The first time Six Great Tea Mountains were mentioned can be traced back to 200 years ago, when Pu'er Tea reached its heyday both in production and fame. Six Great Tea Mountains actually were the production center of Pu'er Tea then, so famous for fine quality of their products that even were laid under tribute by emperor. As the wheel of history has been rolling on, former splendor around Six Great Tea Mountains has gone, former settlers and residents have left, the cradle of Pu'er Tea gradually passed into oblivion...... |
|
|
When production reached certain level, the request for efficient transport became protruding, horse caravans played important roles in the distribution of Pu'er Tea. It's been long time since tea trade caravans disappeared from our life, but vestiges of former tea transporting way wandering on mountains and through valleys, the clevis prints engraved on slabstones are still reminding us, how our ancestors overcame unexpected hardships to introduce Pu'er Tea to Beijing, Tibet, Southeast Asia, or even further...... |
|
|
Ethnic Ways of Tea Consumption Ethnic minority people are the initiators of tea consumption in Yunnan, they developed various ways for it in daily life and work by taking advantage of surroundings where they stayed. These habits have become a part of their tradition and culture while coming down through generations, and are still performed lively in some remote villages. Different from our common sense, tea is not only taken for drinking by them, keep calm when you are offered with pickled tea, salad tea or other even more strange stuff...... |
|
|
In order to help people learn about Pu'er Tea more efficiently, more thoroughly, more systematically and more divertingly...... |
|
