China Pu Erh Mini Beeng Cha – 9g

Brew & Taste

The infusion has a rich mahogany shade. The rich flavor combines earthiness with sweetness and fullness with smoothness without a bitter or heavy finish.

Origins

China's Yunnan province is the most visited destination by domestic and foreign tourists. The Tibetan Plateau and the Three Parallel Rivers Protected Area, led by the Mekong, are big draws for many. For tea lovers, however, Yunnan is mainly home to Pu Erh. The tradition of its production here dates back to the 9th century, and local producers are rightly proud of their art passed down through the generations.

Pu Erh is the only tea that can be described as fermented. It is also often likened to wine, because it, too, benefits from aging. Although many efforts have been made to map the process, the local tea masters keep their secrets closely guarded, and it is no wonder that the practices vary so much from plantation to plantation.

But the general basis is always the same. The tea leaves are harvested and then piled in smaller piles, which are moistened and continuously mixed. This creates a higher temperature in the middle of the piles, which helps fermentation, just like compost. The entire process must be closely monitored to ensure that the fermentation process accurately maintains the proportion of healthy bacteria, molds, yeasts and other microflora.

This accelerated fermentation technique has been used by producers since 1975, and the resulting Pu Erh no longer needs to mature. Nevertheless, resting is still desirable as it harmonizes the flavor and aroma. A perfect example of this is this Pu Erh Mini Beeng Cha, which, after being pressed and packaged, was left to rest for 3 years.

Pu Erh can take several forms, from loose to pressed. Beeng cha refers to the typical shape of the cake, which is typically around 350g. This mini version with 9g is perfect for a 1000ml teapot. Traditionally, Pu Erh cake is supposed to be quickly poured over hot water to open the leaves. However, this water is immediately poured off and new water is used, this time for the infusion. The result is a wonderfully aromatic tea with a rich and complex flavor, which will be a great pleasure even with a second infusion.

Tea packaging preview

We pack our teas in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. This container protects the quality of the tea against humidity, light or foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew.