These randomly-sized ‘chunks’ are village-made, irregularly-shaped nuggets of shou Pu-erh tea from several high mountain village production pavilions in Yunnan Province. These nuggets form as a result of the fermenting process used to make shou Pu-erh. As the leaf in the fermenting piles is turned regularly to insure a consistent taste result, bits of leaf clump together and form these ‘nuggets.’ The nuggets are pulled out, shaped and processed as their own entity. They are what is known as the ‘added incentive’ to village Pu-erh manufacture and have been historically part of the wages for the workers, until it was realized that they were marketable and fun. Today, most villagers have their own trees and make their own Pu-erh, to their family taste, so do not even want these for themselves. So we are the lucky ones too!
These medium/large nuggets are from a batch of traditionally-sized spring leaves from tea trees classified as being over 100 years old. The tea liquor is wonderfully rich and smooth and possesses the familiar earthiness of a good shou Pu-erh. Ancient-tree Pu-erh leaf has a characteristically deep and focused flavor, due to the maturity of the leaves on these aged old trees.
This Pu-erh is ready to drink and enjoy, or it can be kept for many more years in a good environment. Keep a few in your pocket and hand them out to new friends you meet. They are perfect for travel or camping.
Note:
Shou Pu-erh is also known as ‘cooked’ or ‘ripe’ Pu-erh, a reference to the wo dui fermentation process that the leaf undergoes in the tea factory
Want to know more?
New Tea, Rested Tea & Aged Tea