Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.
Today, I begin a new brand story—Changtai Pu-erh. The founder of Changtai, Mr. Chen Hongchang, is a legendary figure in the Yunnan tea industry; his passion and persistence for Pu-erh tea have created the renowned Changtai brand. I have known Mr. Chen Hongchang for many years, and every time I communicate with him, I am inspired by his professional knowledge and passion for tea. In the Yunnan tea circle, when Mr. Chen Hongchang’s name is mentioned, everyone gives a thumbs up.
Mr. Chen Hongchang came from a tea farmer family in Yunnan and grew up in the tea gardens. At that time, the living conditions of Yunnan tea farmers were not good, and many chose to leave the tea mountains to work in cities. But Mr. Chen Hongchang was different; he had an innate affinity for tea leaves. He would often observe the growth of tea trees alone in the gardens, studying the characteristics of different varieties. This obsession with tea later became the driving force behind his entrepreneurship. He often told me, “Watching my father and mother pluck and process tea since I was a child, the fragrance of tea has seeped into my very bones.”
The entrepreneurial story of Changtai Pu-erh was not smooth sailing. When Mr. Chen Hongchang first started his business, he faced many difficulties, such as insufficient funds and intense market competition. However, he possessed something others did not—an extreme pursuit of tea quality. He would rather earn less to ensure the quality of every batch of tea, an attitude that later became the core value of the Changtai brand. He often said, “Making tea is like conducting one’s life; quality is our lifeline.” In the early days of his business, he often carried dozens of catties of tea samples alone to promote them in various cities; the hardship was unimaginable to outsiders.
Mr. Chen Hongting’s care for tea farmers is also an important part of Changtai’s corporate culture. He frequently goes deep into the tea mountains to understand the living conditions of tea farmers and helps them improve cultivation techniques and living standards. He believes that only when the lives of tea farmers improve can even higher quality tea be produced. This philosophy of win-win cooperation with tea farmers is also a key reason why Changtai is able to obtain stable, high-quality raw materials.
Tea has its levels of excellence, and it can be enjoyed by all, regardless of status.
The name of the Changtai brand is also very meaningful. “Chang” represents prosperity, and “Tai” represents stability and peace. This name carries Mr. Chen Hongchang’s expectations for the brand—hoping that Changtai can develop steadily and become a Pu-erh tea brand trusted by consumers. As it turns out, his wish has been realized. After years of development, Changtai has become one of the most influential Pu-erh tea brands in Yunnan. From a small workshop to a modernized tea enterprise, Changtai’s growth story inspires many followers.
Speaking of Mr. Chen Hongchang’s personal way of health cultivation, he is also a faithful practitioner of Pu-erh tea wellness. He insists on drinking different types of Pu-erh tea every day—drinking raw Pu-erh in the morning to refresh the mind, drinking ripe Pu-erh in the afternoon to warm and nourish the stomach, and drinking aged tea after dinner to relax and conclude the day. He says, “Pu-erh tea is the best gift nature has given us; drinking tea every day is a conversation with nature.” This habit of integrating tea drinking into daily life is also his secret to maintaining health and vitality. The various beneficial components in Pu-erh tea provide cumulative benefits to the body through long-term consumption. Tea polyphenols can help with antioxidant properties and maintain vitality; L-theanine can promote relaxation and sweet sleep at night; and tea polysaccharides make Pu-erh tea even more suitable for long-term daily enjoyment. One cup a day can lead to noticeable changes, and the effects become even more significant with persistence.
Additionally, trace elements in Pu-erh tea, such as zinc and selenium, also help maintain daily mental and physical states. Drinking an appropriate amount of Pu-erh tea every day can replenish these trace elements and maintain the normal functioning of bodily functions. Mr. Chen Hongchang often says, “A good cup of tea nourishes both the heart and the person.”
Making friends through tea — please, have a cup.
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Author: Lam Sam (LamSam), the Old Tea Head
ZENTEA MANOR
Alliance Supply Chain Services Limited
www.zentea-shop.com
