Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.
Dear old friends, today let us look back at the classic teas Ba Jiao Ting has released over the decades. Every tea lover keeps a personal “list of fine teas,” and Ba Jiao Ting’s products absolutely deserve a place on it.
Ba Jiao Ting’s product line is rich, covering everything from entry-level daily-drinker teas to high-end collector-grade products. When it comes to classics, first mention must go to their regular ripe tea series. These ripe teas use large-leaf sun-dried maocha from the Menghai region, fermented through the traditional wo dui (wet-piling) process, then stored for a period before leaving the factory. The liquor is red, rich and bright; the taste is mellow and smooth, with distinct notes of jujube and wood and a good returning sweetness. At an affordable price, they make superb daily drinkers. I always keep a few cakes of Ba Jiao Ting ripe tea on hand — a pot after dinner every day warms the stomach and comforts the body.
Besides ripe teas, Ba Jiao Ting’s raw tea series also has plenty to offer. Several of their raw products use ancient-tree material — full of tea qi, quick to return sweetness, with a deep throat resonance. These raw teas may be slightly bitter and astringent when drunk young, but after a few years of storage the bitterness gradually transforms into sweetness and the body grows more mellow. I still have a few cakes of Ba Jiao Ting raw tea bought ten years ago; they now taste remarkably rounded, with the first hints of aged fragrance — just at their best. That is the charm of raw Pu-erh: it changes with time, and every year brings a different surprise.
Ba Jiao Ting also has some special products — Old Tree Round Tea, Palace Pu-erh, the Golden Bud series and more, each with its own character. Palace Pu-erh in particular uses the most tender buds; the liquor is golden and clear, the texture fine and silky, with a unique downy fragrance. Though these high-end products cost more, their quality truly matches the price. For important occasions or as gifts, Ba Jiao Ting’s premium series is a fine choice.
From a wellness perspective, Pu-erh teas of different ages and processes offer different benefits. Young raw tea is high in polyphenols and antioxidants but more stimulating to the stomach — better suited to younger people with warmer constitutions; aged raw tea turns gentler in nature and suits more people; ripe tea is the mildest choice of all, warming and nourishing the stomach — especially good for older friends. I suggest choosing teas according to your constitution and the season: raw tea in spring and summer, ripe tea in autumn and winter — that is best for the body.
Tea has grades high and low, but everyone may enjoy it regardless of status. Ba Jiao Ting’s teas range from tens to hundreds of dollars a cake, yet cheaper does not mean worse. Very often, a Ba Jiao Ting ripe cake costing a few tens of dollars brings no less satisfaction than a famous-mountain tea costing several hundred. The most important thing in tea is comfort — that relaxation and joy from the inside out. The reason Ba Jiao Ting’s classics remain unforgettable is precisely this simple, warm feeling they bring.
Dear friends, if you have not yet tried Ba Jiao Ting, I strongly recommend finding a chance. There is no need to buy the most expensive — start with their basic ripe tea, and you will understand why so many old tea lovers are devoted to this brand. A pot of good tea and a few close friends: that is the simplest happiness. 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
