This is an exceptional Pu-erh tea cake named Jinghuanguan Dao. Pu-erh tea holds a unique position in the world of tea, distinguished by its origins in the Mekong River region, known within China as the Lancangjiang River basin. This mighty river, flowing from the Himalayas to the South China Sea, not only serves as a border between China and India but also nurtures a distinctive tea tree variety. While tea trees abound globally, only the special tea trees from this region, known as Pu-erh tea trees, yield tea leaves that can undergo a remarkable transformation during storage following initial processing, developing a captivating and distinctive flavor profile.

This characteristic, setting Pu-erh tea apart from teas produced in mainland China, the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese archipelago, and other regions, is aptly described as “the older, the better.” However, achieving this exceptional quality, where both new and aged teas are delectable, demands meticulous attention to three crucial aspects: selection, processing, and storage.

Selection involves sourcing leaves from towering trees, requiring tea pluckers to scale their heights. Additionally, the planting density is restricted to no more than 300 trees per mu (approximately 0.16 hectares), a practice challenging in modern cultivation settings, hence the designation “ancient trees.”

Processing and storage techniques are equally paramount. Only when all these criteria are met can a Pu-erh tea be considered exceptional. Jinghuanguan Dao Pu-erh tea not only adheres to these standards but surpasses them.

In fact, scientists have endeavored for over half a century to replace traditional methods with modern approaches, yet without success. Their efforts have, however, led to the creation of a product known as “shu pu-erh” or “cooked tea,” which has gained popularity due to its rapid and large-scale production. Unfortunately, its flavor profile deviates significantly from genuine Pu-erh tea.

The name ChnghHuaiGuanDao stems from an ancient Chinese adage, signifying the cleansing of the mind to perceive the inherent laws of the universe (the Dao). However, the name holds an additional layer of meaning, honoring a deceased Chinese scholar who spent decades residing in Germany and India. This scholar, a mentor-Xu FanCheng to the tea cake’s creator, Mr. Li Qiang, inspired the tea’s creation with his profound understanding of the Dao. Mr. Li Qiang crafted the tea with his mentor’s wisdom in mind, as a tribute to his esteemed teacher.