The Glory of the Leaf

A Reflection on the Transformation of Taste & Perception

  

The spectrum that exists within puerh tea is amazingly vast, flowing with complexity, subtle layers and nuances. Fine-tuning your senses to this unique spectrum and sensation opens your perception to a deeper appreciation and insight of puerh tea.

The Journey - An Evolution in Taste

 

TOP TIPS: Starting a Puerh Tea Collection

 
A collection of old teas

Reflections on the Future of Modern Style Puerh Tea

 

Beautifully packaged and engineered by design to be compliant to a wider audience ... but are we seeing signs that the modern style of puerh tea is fraying at the edges. Has the intent to satisfy commercial interests compromised the traditional values of puerh tea?

My first encounter with the modern style of puerh tea came in 2005 at a Chinese tea market in Kunming. During that time such teas were not taken seriously and were treated as a gimmick which often resulted in them being offered to new tea drinkers. The market sentiment was very different during those times. It was a speculative market with fast money and investing in puerh tea provided a roller coaster ride of emotions. The vast majority of buyers were Chinese and there was strong demand for puerh tea that could potentially make future profits. Buyers wanted puerh tea that was age worthy and that would give them a return on their investment. The modern style of puerh tea was an unknown quantity and its docile qualities were so different to the standard puerh tea at the time that some even questioned whether it was genuine puerh tea. The hardcore Chinese buyers were dismissive of the modern style of puerh tea and as a result the more competitive buying revolved around traditional and renowned production batches by established factories like Menghai TF, Xia Guan TF and Kunming TF.

Understanding and Appreciating the Qualities of Age Tea

Very old Guang Yun Gong teacake, 40+ years old

An increasing number of tea enthusiasts are interested in age tea and have started collections with the hope of nurturing and aging their own tea. Being a tea collector myself of almost 20 years I can attest that it is a wonderful and fulfilling hobby. In this article I would like to share my experience through what I have encountered with the process of aging and the qualities that are enjoyed in age tea.

In Pursuit of Tea Appreciation

Drinking the best tea in the world does not guarantee the sense of enjoyment and appreciation. For the tea itself is only part of the answer the other half of tea appreciation rests with us.

Making Puerh Tea an Asset in Your Life

The terms “assets” and “liabilities” are commonly used in association with managing financial wealth and investments. For the financial manager the focus is solely on cash flow. In the case of puerh, once you have incorporated tea into your life the benefits goes beyond financial wealth. As a puerh enthusiast and collector for well over a decade I believe that the values that can be gained from tea can have a deeper and more meaningful impact to life.

Reflecting on Teas with Cha Qi – A Personal Experience

Natural and organic farms, wild tea trees that grow naturally in a biologically diverse environment that is thriving with life provides the source for quality tea leaves that possess good Cha Qi.

Combining Age Liu An Tea and TCM – A Personal Experience

 

History records the use of age Liu An tea as a "medicine trigger" to enhance Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)