It's All About Tea — chinese tea

Oolong is one of the most diverse categories of the Six Types of tea. While some oolongs are bright, floral, almost green in character, others are dark, roasted, full-bodied and taste closer to black tea. Oolong teas encompass a broad spectrum of flavors, aromas, and mouthfeels.

If you’ve tried a few oolongs before, you’ve probably noticed that Chinese and Taiwanese teas often feel very different. Wuyi Rock Tea doesn’t taste or look anything like Ali Shan oolong from Taiwan, and Anxi Tie Guan Yin is very different from Phoenix Dan Cong. 

In this article, we’ll look at how certain factors like elevation, oxidation and roasting can influence the taste of oolong, and explore the major production areas in China and Taiwan. By the end, the differences between oolong styles will make more sense, and you’ll have a clearer picture of why each oolong tastes the way it does. (Read more)

During our last visit to China, while in Shenzhen, we visited Tiffany Lau. Tiffany is a Liu Bao tea collector, editor-in-chief of "Liubao Tea Microjournal", national tea evaluator, and identification expert of Liu Bao Tea. She served as a judge for the Liu Bao Tea Battle Competition sessions. Over the years, Tiffany has promoted Liubao Tea Culture to tea enthusiasts both domestically and internationally through numerous articles, videos, and in-person tea gatherings. We had many teas and a long conversation about all things tea. This blog post is a compilation of our friendly talk over numerous cups of Hei Cha, presented of an interview for ease of reading. We hope you'll find it insightful. (Read More)

Our recent journey to China took us through Guangdong, Northern Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang (among other places), immersing us in these regions' rich cultures. We had the privilege of meeting many amazing tea masters and pottery craftsmen. Each conversation, every encounter, and the countless cups of tea we shared provided a wealth of knowledge and insights into the current state of tea farming and craftsmanship.

We observed several intriguing trends and shifts in the world of tea. From the urban migration of tea farmers to the rise of young, innovative tea masters, the landscape of tea production is undergoing significant changes. However, it's important to note that these observations are limited by the short duration of our stay and the natural constraints of such an exploration.

This blog post aims to share some of these observations and reflections, providing a glimpse into China's dynamic and ever-evolving world of tea farming and craftsmanship. Join us as we explore how modern influences are shaping Chinese tea farming and the challenges it faces today. (Read More)

In the previous blog post, we began exploring the most prominent regions that produce China's best green tea. We witnessed the balance between production volume and the distinctive local craftsmanship and cultural heritage that shaped the image of some of China's signature loose-leaf green teas for the world. 

Today, we continue with the two other major green tea production clusters – China's Central and Western green tea regions – Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Hubei, and Shaanxi, which account for roughly two-thirds of the country's total green tea output. From Guizhou's selenium-rich mountain teas to Sichuan's artisanal Meng Ding Gan Lu and Hubei's rare steam-dried En Shi Yu Lu, these provinces produce some of China's most distinctive and underappreciated green teas (Read More)

Chinese Green tea has a history going back several millennia. It is the first type of tea that ever existed. It was also the prime material from which the six main types of tea originated and developed. China spreads across five climatic zones, ensuring various soil types, sunshine, temperature, and rainfall. All of them create different terroirs, reflected in the multitude of local tea tree varieties and their specifics in taste, aroma, flavor, and appearance. Additionally, the rich historical and cultural heritage of the country provided rich craftsmanship, which, along with the local culture, further deepened the significance of certain Green tea types, turning them into symbols of significant cultural importance, carrying a historical legacy of the crafts, customs, and spirituality that shaped the face of a region and its people.

Let's explore this rich legacy and dive into the most significant producing areas in Chinese green tea, following the craft, the legends, …and our taste buds! (Read More)