Pu-erh teas

A special variety of fermented and aged dark tea produced in Yunnan province, China, produced in a centuries-old tradition, involving microbial fermentation and oxidation of the tea leaves after they have been dried and rolled. Aging is a key production factor in Pu-erh tea-making. First the tea leaves are collected from old trees, many of which are over 100 years old and some are even a thousand years old. Then the tea is fermented by an ancient technique and this fermented tea is aged for years. Three years is common, 10 years is excellent, 50 years or more is sublime.