Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.
Today, I want to talk to everyone about Changtai Pu-erh’s philosophy on raw materials. In the world of Pu-erh tea, Changtai’s commitment to ancient tree tea is well known. Mr. Chen Hongchang often says: “The foundation of good tea is good raw materials; without good raw materials, even the best craftsmanship is in vain.” This is a simple statement, but few truly live up to it. To reduce costs, many tea enterprises use plantation tea to pass off as ancient tree tea, but Changtai never engages in such practices.
Changtai’s commitment to ancient tree tea stems from Mr. Chen Hongchang’s profound understanding of tea quality. He believes that because ancient trees have long ages and deep root systems, they can absorb more minerals and trace elements from the soil, making the tea’s constituents richer and its mouthfeel more mellow. To ensure raw material quality, Chen Hongchang personally leads teams deep into the major tea mountains of Yunnan, establishing long-term partnerships with local tea farmers to ensure every batch comes from a reliable source. He visits the tea mountains at least a dozen times a year, staying on the mountains for several days each time to personally taste the fresh leaves from every single tree.
Changtai’s ancient tree tea raw materials primarily come from several famous tea regions: Menghai, Lincang, Pu’er, and others. Each region’s ancient tree tea possesses its own unique flavor profile—Menghai is bold and intense, Lincang offers a high aroma and vibrant taste, and Pu’er is mellow with a sweet aftertaste. Mr. Chen knows the characteristics of each region like the back of his hand; he selects the most suitable combinations of raw materials based on the needs of different products. He often says: “Every tea region has its own personality; we must respect their characteristics and not force any changes.”
Speaking of the protection of ancient tree tea, this is also a vital topic. With the development of the Pu-erh tea market, ancient tree tea resources face the threat of over-harvesting. Mr. Chen Hongchang recognized this issue long ago and has been actively promoting the protection of ancient tea trees. He works with local governments to implement a series of protective measures, ensuring that ancient tea trees can continue to grow healthily. He often says: “We must protect these precious ancient tea tree resources for our future generations.”
Tea has grades high and low, but everyone may enjoy it regardless of status.
Changtai’s commitment to raw material quality is also reflected in its procurement standards. They only select ancient tree tea leaves harvested in the spring, as spring leaves have undergone a period of rest and nourishment throughout the winter, making their constituents most abundant. At the same time, they have strict requirements for the age of the tea trees—generally only selecting ancient trees over one hundred years old. Although these strict selection standards increase costs, they ensure the exceptional quality of the products. Mr. Chen Hongchang often says: “I would rather produce less tea than lower our standards.”
When it comes to the health benefits of ancient tree tea, they are truly incomparable to those of ordinary tea trees. Because ancient trees grow in a natural environment without the need for fertilizers or pesticides, the leaves are purer and healthier. At the same time, the content of beneficial components such as polyphenols, amino acids, and minerals in ancient tree tea is significantly higher than in ordinary tea trees. The root systems of ancient trees extend several meters or even over ten meters underground, allowing them to absorb abundant minerals and trace elements. These substances enter the body through the tea infusion, which is of great help in maintaining bodily functional balance. Long-term consumption of ancient tree tea has noticeable effects on antioxidant properties, anti-aging, and boosting immunity. A daily cup of Changtai ancient tree tea is the best investment one can make in their own health.
Ancient tree tea also contains abundant L-theanine, which has a significant effect on soothing the nerves and improving sleep quality. Many modern people suffer from insomnia due to high work pressure; drinking a cup of ancient tree tea every day can help alleviate this issue.
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
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