{"title":"Pu-erh tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Pu-erh tea is categorized into \"Raw\" and \"Ripe\" types.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea with a brown color and a unique flavor resembling dried mushrooms or dried fruits is Ripe Pu-erh. In Japan, most of the tea referred to as Pu-erh is the Ripe type.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On the other hand, in Yunnan Province, when people refer to Pu-erh tea, they mean Raw Pu-erh. Raw Pu-erh is made by pan frying and sun drying, without any involvement of microorganisms in the production process. Raw Pu-erh has a gentle taste that becomes so appealing that one cannot live without it once accustomed to it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CollectionBody\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh is made from Raw Pu-erh tea leaves, fermented by various microorganisms, primarily actinomycetes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"CollectionLinks__more\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"d171","title":"Wu Jia Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932466868400,"sku":"d171cc","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932466901168,"sku":"d171cb","price":7000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932466933936,"sku":"d171cv","price":17600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4226-2.jpg?v=1788162070"},{"product_id":"d151","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild Tea 2024","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n    Why Wild Tea Is Delicious\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea refers to tea that grows naturally in the mountains, not cultivated through human agriculture.\u003cbr\u003e\n    We source wild \u003cem\u003eCamellia taliensis\u003c\/em\u003e tea from Da Xue Shan in Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When people hear \"wild tea,\" many associate it with harshness, bitterness, or astringency. However, think about it carefully — wild means natural.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Wild mushrooms, wild seafood, and mountain vegetables all share a distinctive and exceptional flavor.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The common traits of wild foods include a long-lasting aftertaste, a clean and refreshing quality, and a strong flavor that is uniquely natural.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Wild tea harvested in early spring is akin to fresh mountain vegetables.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The wild tea we offer is free from bitterness or astringency, delivering a clear and concentrated liquor.\u003cbr\u003e\n    With a high concentration of minerals, it provides a sensation that spreads through the body, almost as if it permeates the cells.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Change in Wild Tea Sourcing Since 2019\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In 2019, before the pandemic, I stayed in the region for two months, visiting many villages in Yongde County.\u003cbr\u003e\n    My goal was to gather information and explore new sources of wild tea and tea gardens at high altitudes.\u003cbr\u003e\n    One day, guided by a relative of my tea producer, I visited a village near Da Xue Shan where residents made their living by harvesting bracken ferns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Mountain valley with winding dirt roads and distant ridges\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8061\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4109.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This remote mountain village, reachable only after several hours of driving, depends primarily on bracken fern harvesting for income.\u003cbr\u003e\n    These ferns are predominantly exported to Japan, where they are used in dishes such as mountain vegetable udon and soba.\u003cbr\u003e\n    During my visit, I learned that the villagers, with their extensive knowledge from searching for bracken, also know the locations of naturally growing wild tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Through their introductions to other villages and locals, we successfully began sourcing new wild tea from 2020 onward.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Bracken fern shoots spread on a woven bamboo tray\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-8063\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5146.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For the actual procurement, I relied on a family of tea producers I have worked with for many years.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Securing authentic wild tea requires reaching out in advance to express purchase intentions, then visiting the villagers to pay in cash on the spot.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Authentic wild tea is exceedingly rare and in high demand, making it increasingly difficult to obtain.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Despite the use of the term \"genuine,\" the majority of so-called wild tea available in Yunnan is actually cultivated tea from managed gardens.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Based on my observations, approximately 95–98% of the \"wild tea\" in the market falls into this category. Even if the tea plants are of wild species, they are grown through human intervention and cannot be considered true wild tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Introducing Low-Temperature Pan-Frying\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea is often processed by ethnic minority farmers in mountain regions.\u003cbr\u003e\n    As a result, temperature control during pan-frying is often imprecise, leading to excessive oxidation of the tea's components.\u003cbr\u003e\n    We aimed to improve the pan-frying conditions for wild tea and experimented with various approaches to identify the optimal method.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A man spreading fresh tea leaves on woven mats outdoors\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8067\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0400-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By pan-frying at lower temperatures, we can suppress the thermal decomposition of the tea's components, ensuring a smoother and more refined result.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Imagine a well-executed stir-fry of vegetables: the pan is heated to the optimal temperature before the vegetables are added, allowing them to cook evenly while preserving their natural aroma and texture.\u003cbr\u003e\n    However, excessive heat applied for too long once the moisture has been driven off can cause scorching, diminishing the ingredients' intrinsic qualities.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The pan-frying process for tea requires the same level of precision and care to achieve the desired result.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By staying on-site and working directly in the production areas, we were able to refine the pan-frying process.\u003cbr\u003e\n    As a result, the 2024 Da Xue Shan Wild Tea has an exceptionally smooth texture and a more sophisticated aroma.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark compressed tea cake with a hollow center on white paper\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8065\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5779.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Recommended for Beginners, Cold Brewing, and Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea has a distinctive aroma, making it an excellent introduction to raw Pu-erh tea for beginners.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Its fruity, grape-like aroma lingers gently after swallowing, leaving an elegant sweetness in the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It can be enjoyed brewed with hot water, but is equally delightful when cold-brewed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Da Xue Shan Wild Tea also offers a unique experience when aged.\u003cbr\u003e\n    After aging in an oxygen-free environment for over a year, it develops a honey-like sweetness.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Further aging for several years intensifies its rich fruity aroma.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932466540720,"sku":"d151ca","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g(cake)","offer_id":44932466573488,"sku":"d151cc","price":12400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932466606256,"sku":"d151cv","price":49700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5301-2_3c6a2faf-452a-440c-a69c-2e0ddb83f6b8.jpg?v=1737905876"},{"product_id":"d113","title":"Da Cha Tou 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1022-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dark Cha Tou lumps on a gray surface\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6744\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1022-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Have you ever tried the Cha Tou Mao Cha (Crude Cha Tou 茶头毛茶)? We managed to obtain the mao-cha of Da Cha Tou(大茶头). Since the Da Cha Tou Mao Cha gives very nice and distinctive drinking experience, we decided to release it on pre-booking basis.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    It is not easy to purchase Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Chinese, Cha Tou means \"head of tea\", the small tea blocks. It is naturally formed during the fermentation process of ripe \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about_pu-erh\"\u003epu-erh tea\u003c\/a\u003e. Because of its outstanding flavour and taste, Cha Tou is always sought after among the tea connoisseurs in China, yet most of the time the tea manufacturers will keep it for their own drinking. Those who have ever tried this tea will make an advance booking for the next batch of Cha Tou in upcoming years. Therefore, it is very hard to obtain this tea, and it's not a common tea in commercial tea market.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5783.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a lump of tea above a heap of dark leaves\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6734\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5783.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Da Cha Tou : Big Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During our trip to Yunnan in April, we managed to purchase the very rare Cha Tou called Da Cha Tou (in Chinese, Da means Big). Da Cha Tou is not only rare but also known for its outstanding quality in both taste and flavour.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As the Da Cha Tou was naturally formed during the fermentation, it has irregular size and shape. When we first tried this tea, we were fascinated by its unique drinking sensation. Since the stock of Da Cha Tou is limited, the original shape of Da Cha Tou is very beautiful and it is nice to drink, we decided to release this tea on pre-booking basis.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1000-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Da Cha Tou lumps of different sizes on a bamboo scoop\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6745\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1000-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Usually, Cha Tou varies in different sizes: big, medium and small. We have also bought medium Cha Tou, and that has been already compressed into 250g brick.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Spring Cha Tou is highly sought after yet extremely limited\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of ripe pu-erh tea is carried out by aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria and mold. Cha Tou is slowly formed in the middle of fermentation process from the interaction between tea constituents and the polysaccharide produced by bacteria. As spring tea is very rich in polyphenol and other tea constituents, Cha Tou naturally appears during the fermentation of spring tea. Normally, it is not formed in summer tea. It is because of in summer, tea grows faster due to more rain and higher temperature which result in lower concentration of certain tea constituents.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Sometimes a very small quantity of Cha Tou may be formed in autumn tea. For example, may be only about 20-30kg of Cha Tou is formed out of multi-tonnes of fermented autumn ripe pu-erh tea. However, the Cha Tou formed from autumn tea is very loose and fragile, while the spring Cha Tou is very solid and big in size thanks to rich content of tea constituents. Compared to spring Cha Tou, the autumn Cha Tou gives much thinner and lighter taste, and lack of complexity in taste. Unfortunately, there are very limited ripe pu-erh tea produced from spring tea. Naturally, Cha Tou is even more limited.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In addition, there are a number of tea merchants who are looking for Cha Tou. Due to the limited stock, we often face the fierce competition among the tea merchants to obtain this tea. It often happened that the Cha Tou we pre-booked was intercepted by other people.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0989.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Cha Tou lumps in a black dish\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6737\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0989.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Unique flavour is formed during natural maturation process\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Da Cha Tou is unique not only because of its shape. We can easily tell the difference in flavour and taste when we compare it with loose ripe pu-erh teas of the same batch.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Da Cha Tou has rich dry-fruity flavour with thick taste and long-lasting finishing. In addition, it gives very silky and creamy mouth-feel. I think the reason why Cha Tou gives very distinctive flavour and taste is because of the process of its formation. Cha tou is formed in the middle of fermentation. At this stage, the tea leaves forming Cha Tou are not fully fermented yet. As tea leaves are firmly coagulated, there is no oxygen inside it. Due to the heat generated from the pile of ripe pu-erh tea on microbiological fermentation and the high moisture content, it undergoes further maturation; that could be the reason that develops unique and complex flavour.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1065.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Hands holding a white cup of amber tea\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6738\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1065.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea is collected from the garden left in wild\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Another reason that makes this Da Cha Tou very special was it is made of raw pu-erh tea collected from the garden that follows perfectly natural farming practice. The tea garden is located in the high mountain, altitude about 2000-2100m in the south west of Lin Cang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Exceptionally long-lasting aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It gives long-lasting aftertaste with thick flavour and mellow drinking sensation that lasts for a long time. In my own experience, this level of aftertaste is very rare in ripe pu-erh teas. One of the reasons why Cha Tou is loved by so many people is that it ages excellently well. The changes of flavour are much more significantly than common ripe pu-erh teas. It reminds me of Chinese dates, dried apricots or prunes, raisins and sometimes brandy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Usually, ordinary Cha Tou gives slight harshness in taste when tea is new. Thus, I normally prefer the Cha Tou aged for more than 2-3 years. Nevertheless, I was very surprised that this Huo Cao Shan Da Cha Tou was not harsh at all and it is perfectly right for drinking now even it is just produced a year ago. In my experience, this is the first time I encountered such Cha Tou. So, you might want to drink it right away and\/or keep it for further aging.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0980.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of dark Cha Tou lumps\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6743\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0980.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Whitish powder on the surface is actinomycetes\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Some of Cha Tou appear whitish as it contains white filaments on its surface. It is pretty normal and not harmful. Please do not worry as it is not mold. It is the friendly bacteria called actinomycetes which is the key bacteria appears when the fermentation of ripe pu-erh tea is successfully carried out. If any problem occurred during fermentation, the white filaments would not appear. Usually, these whitish filaments are not noticeable after compression. We hardly see these white filaments on the compressed tea because they disappear once tea is steamed for compression.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1263.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A heap of dark brown tea leaves in close-up\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6736\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1263.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932466180272,"sku":"d113ca","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932466213040,"sku":"d113cb","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (200g x 5 bags)","offer_id":44932466245808,"sku":"d113cv","price":18100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5872-2.jpg?v=1737905873"},{"product_id":"d81","title":"Gong Ting Jin Hao Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Gong Ting Jin Hao Ripe Pu-erh is made from tea harvested in an area near the Myanmar border, about ten hours by car from Lincang City.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost Ripe Pu-erh is made from plantation tea grown with modern farming methods. For this tea, however, the tea trees are owned by an ethnic minority community, and the leaves come from trees grown with natural farming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sorted Mao Cha made from naturally grown spring tea, collected only the buds, and compressed them. It is a very luxurious tea, with a strong richness with a sweet flavor like sugarcane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taste is very thick, with no astringency or bitterness at all. It can easily make you tea drunk, so we recommend it for times when you want to relax completely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe Pu-erh tea is never moldy.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe tea because it smells like \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold,\" but moldy flavors indicate poor quality tea with fermentation issues. High-quality tea should evoke a certain level of emotion when tasted. HOJO conducts extensive tasting to ensure we introduce only the best quality teas.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A round compressed tea cake of dark brown leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/24666433-0F11-4CEF-8279-C951232943E0.png?v=1615625436\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGong Ting Jin Hao Ripe Pu-erh has a delicate taste with silky texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taste is very thick, with no astringency or bitterness at all. It can easily make you tea drunk, so we recommend it for times when you want to relax completely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like Pu-erh, you may have heard the name Gong Ting Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eWhat Is Gong Ting Pu-erh?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGong Ting means imperial, which is one category of Ripe Pu-erh after the grading process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBooks and websites often describe Gong Ting Pu-erh as the highest grade of Pu-erh, but that is not necessarily accurate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRight after processing, the crude Ripe Pu-erh leaves are called Mao Cha, and they consist of one bud and two to 3 leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003eMao Cha right after fermentation \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding dark tea leaves over a pile of leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9F00D9C2-3011-4716-98FB-F8A5651B0474.png?v=1615625490\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Ripe Pu-erh, the Mao Cha is either compressed and sold as it is after removing dusts, or sifted and graded by size and part of the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003eLeft: Mao Cha. Right: after grading. \u003cimg alt=\"Two kinds of dark tea leaves side by side in a bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/71CC1434-C930-43BF-8F38-268C523FDD26.png?v=1615625544\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeither is better than the other. When the tea is graded, though, it can be separated into buds, leaves, stems and so on, so a graded tea may show character that Mao Cha does not have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGong Ting Pu-erh is the grade made by collecting only the buds at the tips. Because it contains so many buds, the tea is a golden-orangish color before compression, and its appearance gives the impression of an exclusive tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly a small amount can be obtained, and it is popular, so among the graded parts Gong Ting Pu-erh fetches the highest price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are exceptions depending on the producer, however. Sometimes the tea called Cha Tou, which forms naturally when tea leaves clump together, sells at the highest price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003eComment \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E1EFA213-02FE-410A-A61B-1483773CDDF7.png?v=1615625594\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, even among Gong Ting Pu-erh teas, there is a world of difference in quality depending on the raw material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea grown with lots of fertilizer, naturally grown tea, and naturally grown tea plucked from old trees differ in the strength of their aftertaste. The soil of the tea garden also affects the body of the tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat matters is getting good raw material with excellent aftertaste and richness. Tea made from it is, naturally, very good to drink even as Mao Cha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGong Ting Pu-erh made from good raw material is naturally of good quality because it starts from a good source, and it gives you a taste that stays in your memory after a single cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A round compressed tea cake of dark brown leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/24666433-0F11-4CEF-8279-C951232943E0_cc69972f-3e91-46e8-b681-d0939bf0f09c.png?v=1615625646\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gong Ting Jin Hao Ripe Pu-erh we offer at HOJO is harvested in an area near the Myanmar border, about ten hours by car from Lincang City.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea trees are owned by an ethnic minority community, and the tea comes from trees grown with natural farming. In fact, most Ripe Pu-erh is made from plantation tea grown with modern farming methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you stop by a tea shop in Yunnan, or at any airport in China, you will find huge amounts of Pu-erh for sale, but almost all of it is plantation Ripe Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlantation tea is not bad in itself. On plantations, however, the soil is modified and pesticides and fertilizers are used, so apart from safety concerns, the tea grows faster, tastes thin and lacks richness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRipe Pu-erh does not have a strong flavor to begin with, so richness is the key factor to enjoy drinking it. We are always looking for Ripe Pu-erh made from naturally grown old trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural farming sounds nice, but in short it means tea trees that are left alone. Left in harsh natural conditions and growing without fertilizer or human interventions, these trees adapt to many kinds of environmental stress and grow very slowly over a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, the tea's cells become smaller, and minerals, polyphenols and other constituents in the tea become concentrated. Tea made this way has a strong aftertaste that you won't forget once you have tried it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932455301296,"sku":"d81ca","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932455334064,"sku":"d81cc","price":8100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932455366832,"sku":"d81cv","price":32400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/D41_07-2.jpg?v=1737905748"},{"product_id":"d06","title":"Gong Ting Dian Hong","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Blend of Naturally Cultivated Yunnan Black Tea and Gong Ting Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have created a unique original tea by blending naturally cultivated black tea and Gong Ting ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea has a balanced flavor, combining the sweetness of black tea with the mellow, deep taste of ripe Pu-erh tea. It is also excellent as milk tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For ease of brewing, the tea is compressed into mini tuocha (approximately 5 g each), making it simple to brew a consistent cup by placing one in a teapot.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While it is delicious to drink immediately, it can also be enjoyed with a different character after aging for some time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-Quality Ripe Pu-erh Tea is Never Musty\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe Pu-erh tea because of flavors described as \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold.\" However, a musty smell indicates poor-quality ripe tea with issues in the fermentation process.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Good-quality tea always evokes a sense of excitement when tasted. We repeatedly taste a significant amount of tea to ensure we introduce only high-quality products.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: 0.9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        About Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/24F13E60-FAEC-412A-B0BB-E0927980166F.png?v=1615631026\" alt=\"Product Image\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have created a new tea by blending naturally cultivated black tea and Gong Ting ripe Pu-erh tea. The result is a balanced flavor that combines the sweetness of black tea with the mellow, deep taste of ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Collaboration of Gong Ting Pu-erh Tea and Naturally Cultivated Black Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Blending black tea and Gong Ting ripe Pu-erh tea turned out to be surprisingly delicious, and we personally enjoyed this combination for a long time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We wanted to share this blend with others and recommended it to many friends and customers. However, it never quite caught on for 3 reasons:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe need to obtain 2 types of tea separately\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe need to blend them oneself\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe extraction speeds of compressed ripe Pu-erh and loose-leaf black tea differ, making the flavor inconsistent\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Compressed into Mini Tuocha to Uniformly Blend the Two Ingredients\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We wanted to solve these 3 problems and make the blend of Yunnan black tea and Gong Ting Pu-erh tea easily accessible to everyone.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, when blending the 2 teas in loose-leaf form, the Gong Ting grade ripe Pu-erh leaves are much smaller, making it difficult to blend uniformly with the larger black tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We therefore decided to compress the blended tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Compressing into 200 g or 357 g cakes causes the black tea leaves to break when the cake is separated, and uneven mixing can occur. Shaping into mini tuocha solved both problems.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Each mini tuocha weighs approximately 5 g, making it very convenient to brew a consistent and intended flavor simply by placing one in a teapot.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F8CE53A3-2835-43E0-9F72-816018CA9AEC.png?v=1615631088\" alt=\"Mini Tuocha\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    High-Quality Tea Leaves of One Bud, One Leaf for Black Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For the black tea, we used leaves plucked around March 20th, consisting of one bud and one leaf.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While tea made from one bud and 2 leaves has a stronger flavor, we deliberately selected one bud and one leaf to achieve a smoother mouthfeel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The black tea comes from a naturally cultivated garden at an altitude of 2000 m in Lincang, Yunnan Province. The tea is grown without pesticides or fertilizers, and even the ground vegetation is left untouched.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The black tea has a very deep richness and medium body, making it delicious even as a standalone black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To obtain the earliest spring leaves, we stayed in Yunnan Province before the tea season began to ensure we secured the first-plucked harvest.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/CDD1E4B5-668F-4792-A8A5-1C5A2B7CA517.png?v=1615631181\" alt=\"Tea Leaves\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9DACE150-8BCB-43C5-8E9B-B61CA1AAFA93.png?v=1615631194\" alt=\"Tea Processing\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F8888851-9DBD-40C3-A5CC-F92B83A48810.png?v=1615631201\" alt=\"Tea Garden\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/CA4A4DBB-4F3F-462F-BA69-0F4BB60A8577.png?v=1615631215\" alt=\"Tea Garden\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/80E9E840-D063-4F05-9729-835E00BC8BD3.png?v=1615631230\" alt=\"Tea Processing\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Using Gong Ting Grade Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For the ripe Pu-erh tea, we used our Gong Ting Jin Hao.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is also made from naturally cultivated tea from Lincang. After aging for 2–3 years, it develops a sweet flavor reminiscent of dried jujube.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, this black tea and Pu-erh blend can be enjoyed not only immediately but also with a distinctly different character after aging for some time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/7C3F38B6-26A5-4810-B1D6-4ED8085490C2.png?v=1615631377\" alt=\"Gong Ting Grade Ripe Pu-erh Tea\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Decided on the Name Gong Ting Dian Hong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The final product exceeded expectations, achieving exactly the intended flavor and character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since it blends Gong Ting Jin Hao — a Gong Ting grade ripe Pu-erh tea — with Yunnan black tea, we named it Gong Ting Dian Hong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Dian Hong is the Chinese name for Yunnan black tea. \"Dian\" is an ancient name for Yunnan Province, and \"Hong\" means red, so Dian Hong literally means \"Yunnan red\" — the Chinese term for Yunnan black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/287132F5-7355-40C5-8615-735AD0868080.png?v=1615631425\" alt=\"Gong Ting Dian Hong\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E2326B30-D0E6-463C-8271-1C2EDF1BC308.png?v=1615631448\" alt=\"Gong Ting Dian Hong\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Delicious Even as Milk Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gong Ting Dian Hong is excellent to drink straight, but it pairs exceptionally well with milk.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We recommend brewing it strong with as little water as possible, then mixing with plenty of milk.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It feels like silk on the tongue and has a natural sweetness that requires no added sugar.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on teas with clarity and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we seek out remote mountain villages, selecting gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: 0.9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste \u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to originate from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves sourced from elsewhere, and can be found everywhere — from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters further is the surprising phenomenon where teas made from leaves in remote, lesser-known areas are often of higher quality than the genuine articles from famous regions. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and is well known among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: 0.9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Why are these older teas considered special? Many assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, which accounts for their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same level of quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: 0.9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932455071920,"sku":"d06ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932455104688,"sku":"d06cc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932455137456,"sku":"d06cb","price":7200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932455170224,"sku":"d06cv","price":18100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8333.jpg?v=1737905745"},{"product_id":"d98","title":"Huo Cao Shan Cha Tou Brick 2017","description":"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1432-2.jpg?v=1737905744\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a square paper-wrapped tea brick with a HOJO label\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6924\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1432-2.jpg?v=1737905744\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have started selling Hu Cao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh 2017 (250g block) made from Huo Cao Shan Ancient Ripe Pu-erh Tea harvested in 2017. The product is sold under the name Hu Cao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh 2017. This tea has a rich dried fruit flavor and leaves a strong impression upon tasting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Synergy of Microbes and Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou is a tea lump naturally formed during the fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea by the polysaccharides produced by actinomycetes. During its formation, the tea leaves in the tea lump are trapped in an anaerobic state, and the fermentation by actinomycetes causes the surrounding temperature to rise close to 70°C, rapidly aging the tea leaves inside the lump. This aging process gives cha tou its unique and rich fruity flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Hu Cao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh 2017 Production\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The cha tou released this time is made from the very popular Hu Cao Shan Ancient Ripe Pu-erh Tea. Previously, we offered limited reservations for \"Da Cha Tou\" made from this tea, but this time we are releasing medium-sized cha tou compressed into square blocks. Hu Cao Shan Ancient Ripe Pu-erh Tea uses high-grade tea leaves intended for raw Pu-erh tea, breaking preconceived notions of ripe Pu-erh tea flavors. Those who have already tried Hu Cao Shan Ancient Ripe Pu-erh Tea know it to be very soft with a deep aftertaste, receiving high praise even from those who generally dislike ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1434.jpg?v=1737905744\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Two hands holding a square paper-wrapped tea brick with a HOJO label\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6923\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1434.jpg?v=1737905744\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Brandy-like Aroma through Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Compared to general ripe Pu-erh tea, cha tou allows you to more distinctly appreciate the flavor changes brought by aging. Store the tea in a warm place in its unopened state for aging. HOJO packages it in an anaerobic state, ensuring ideal aging. Once opened, expose the tea to air for 1-2 weeks to promote oxidation of the components, enhancing both the aroma and flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1455.jpg?v=1737905744\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A square brick of compressed dark tea on a wooden surface\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6921\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1455.jpg?v=1737905744\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1464.jpg?v=1737905744\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A white cup of amber tea with a ceramic spoon\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6920\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1464.jpg?v=1737905744\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Compressing the Most Cherished Cha Tou into Products\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou ripe Pu-erh tea is made from tea lumps naturally formed during fermentation. These lumps are highly valued by producers and fetch the highest prices among ripe Pu-erh teas, making them highly sought after by enthusiasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like HOJO's raw Pu-erh tea, this product is made from trees several hundred years old, achieving an unparalleled richness for ripe Pu-erh tea. It features a sweet dried fruit flavor and an intensely deep flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe Pu-erh tea is never moldy.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe tea because it smells like \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold,\" but moldy flavors indicate poor quality tea with fermentation issues. High-quality tea should evoke a certain level of emotion when tasted. HOJO conducts extensive tasting to ensure we introduce only the best quality teas.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Aroma Preferred by Enthusiasts\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/193E3E52-F0FC-48A8-9336-994DFF9E176F.png?v=1615632478\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There is a category of ripe Pu-erh tea known as \"cha tou.\" Simply put, cha tou refers to tea lumps naturally formed during the fermentation process, characterized by a sweet dried fruit flavor and an intensely deep flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Sweet Dried Fruit Aroma Created in Anaerobic State\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou is very popular among enthusiasts due to its unique flavor. High-quality ripe Pu-erh tea is said to have a jujube flavor, and cha tou accentuates this flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Fermentation Process of Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea involves two stages: primary fermentation by bacteria and secondary fermentation by molds and yeasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePrimary fermentation: Bacteria involvement\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSecondary fermentation: Molds and yeasts involvement\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Primary Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The first stage is bacterial fermentation. The raw material for ripe Pu-erh tea is raw Pu-erh tea. The raw tea leaves piled on the floor are moistened and covered, then left for several weeks. During this period, bacteria, including actinomycetes, proliferate, causing the tea leaves to reach very high temperatures of 60-70°C. As fermentation progresses, the temperature begins to decrease.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E1684359-3AEA-4D97-8092-E4330B944909.png?v=1615632810\" alt=\"Primary fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Primary fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/69B0175F-9313-4D6A-84E5-BF758D4B94DC.png?v=1615633279\" alt=\"Primary fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/7F3C34E9-CEEB-4B8A-8B8D-20BEDF50C1CC.png?v=1615633313\" alt=\"Primary fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After the bacterial fermentation is complete, the tea leaves are spread out in a large room and piled up to a thickness of about 20cm.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Secondary Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This room is kept open, well-ventilated, and dry. During this time, molds grow on the tea leaves, and the fermentation by molds occurs. This is the secondary fermentation of ripe Pu-erh tea, contributing to its flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Formation of Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Polysaccharides produced by microorganisms (mainly actinomycetes) act as adhesives, causing the tea leaves to bond together and form lumps. The trapped moisture inside these lumps creates an anaerobic environment, allowing the cha tou to ferment and age.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, cha tou develops a unique aging flavor that is distinct from regular Pu-erh tea, often described as having a sweet dried fruit scent, which is highly appreciated by tea enthusiasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The unique flavor of cha tou is influenced by the following two factors:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eMicroorganisms undergo different metabolism (fermentation) in the absence of oxygen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe high temperature and anaerobic environment promote ideal aging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is difficult to determine which factor has a stronger influence, but the anaerobic state inside the cha tou plays a significant role in developing its unique flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/87406B6C-496C-4FC3-9608-568AA95442E1.png?v=1615633451\" alt=\"Partially formed cha tou\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Partially formed cha tou\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/193E3E52-F0FC-48A8-9336-994DFF9E176F.png?v=1615632478\" alt=\"Cha tou held in hand\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cha tou held in hand, with regular tea leaves around it\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Popular and Hard to Obtain Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As explained earlier, cha tou is naturally formed during fermentation by microbial activity and cannot be intentionally produced. Additionally, cha tou is formed only in the spring, and spring tea is quite limited in the overall production of ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, producers highly value this cha tou, and it commands the higher prices among ripe Pu-erh teas. Due to its rarity and high value, cha tou often sells out quickly and is difficult to obtain without a reservation. However, we were fortunate to procure naturally grown cha tou by visiting the producers at the right time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Typically, cha tou is sold in its raw lump form, but HOJO processes it into compressed blocks to enhance its aging potential.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2655CB66-62AF-45D0-9E86-64AC23F24399.png?v=1615633569\" alt=\"Cha tou gathered from production process\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cha tou gathered from the production process, compressed into blocks\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product is made from naturally cultivated tea. In Japan, agriculture involves various tasks such as weed control, fertilization, pruning, and pesticide application. However, in remote minority villages in Yunnan, where cha tou is produced, tea trees are planted by ancestors and left unmanaged.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    These tea trees grow like wild trees as part of the ecosystem, with only minimal maintenance, such as light weeding before harvesting once a year.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To cope with various environmental stresses, these tea trees contain high densities of organic compounds and are rich in minerals such as iron, resulting in a deeply rich and flavorful tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea that has grown slowly over time has a distinctly different taste from tea grown using modern agricultural methods, offering an unforgettable deep flavor experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For more information on natural cultivation, please see \"Golden Tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGolden Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Brewing Cha Tou for Maximum Jujube Aroma\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To bring out the jujube flavor from cha tou, it is important to allow water to penetrate the interior.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although multiple cha tou are compressed together, the individual cha tou can be easily broken from the block, but each cha tou is densely packed and does not easily break apart during brewing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The jujube flavor becomes prominent after 5-6 infusions, so use very hot water and ensure thorough rinsing before brewing the tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Other than these steps, follow the usual brewing method for ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small block)","offer_id":44932454973616,"sku":"d98ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"250g (block)","offer_id":44932455006384,"sku":"d98cc","price":9000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (4 blocks)","offer_id":44932455039152,"sku":"d98cv","price":28600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_1432-2.jpg?v=1737905744"},{"product_id":"d89","title":"Bao Dao Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea is made from naturally grown tea leaves harvested from Bao Dao Shan, a mountain located in Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to thorough production management, this tea has none of the musty or earthy smells often found in low-quality ripe pu-erh teas, making it a tea that even those who dislike ripe pu-erh tea should try.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Enjoy the rich aftertaste and deep lingering flavor similar to high-quality raw pu-erh tea, along with a mild sweet fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe pu-erh tea is never musty.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe pu-erh tea because it smells like \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold.\" However, such musty smells indicate very poor-quality ripe pu-erh tea with issues in the fermentation process or raw material.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        With good quality tea, you can feel a certain level of excitement when you drink it. At HOJO, we repeatedly taste test a substantial amount of tea to ensure we introduce good quality products.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        About Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a round paper-wrapped tea cake with a HOJO label\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/452379E8-6818-4CDA-8AE9-25B8AAED5D3A.png?v=1615635435\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We sourced ripe pu-erh tea made from Bao Dao Shan (Baotao Shan), a mountain located in the southwestern part of Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. As you can see from the map below, it is very close to the Myanmar border.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eReasons for Focusing on Tea from Lincang Instead of the Famous Production Area of Xishuangbanna \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Rugged Rocky Mountains Like Saw Teeth\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A cloud-capped mountain above green forested hills\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B71CE442-61DE-4253-95F2-76195A1B4B08.png?v=1615635520\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan is a famous mountain known to everyone living in Zhenkang County, characterized by its extremely steep rocky appearance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In any case, the steep appearance resembling a blade is a common feature. When I first saw Bao Dao Shan, I never thought that tea was produced on this mountain.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, in reality, tea gardens are widely distributed, and many of them are naturally grown without fertilizer. The tea we sourced this time uses materials from naturally grown, pesticide-free tea gardens.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For more about naturally grown tea, please refer to \"Golden Tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGolden Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hazy mountain ridges above a grassy slope at dusk\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EF71C9BC-C9E4-4E92-80F5-FFE582719D74.png?v=1615635582\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea tree branches with yellow-green leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E92A5827-9847-40FB-BF46-267A1CC7E7F4.png?v=1615635606\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Rich Aftertaste Like High-Quality Raw Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea is made from mao-cha harvested in 2016, compressed into a 357g cake.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As you can taste with this Bao Dao Shan, it features a rich aftertaste and soft drinking experience, similar to high-quality raw pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By frequently stirring during the pile fermentation process, our producer promoted fermentation by aerobic bacteria, resulting in a sweet fragrance similar to dried jujube.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea has none of the earthy or musty smells often found in many ripe pu-erh teas in recent years, making it enjoyable even for those who generally dislike ripe pu-erh tea due to its mild sweet fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round tea cake resting on white paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/3160A086-8D1D-48A4-AE61-39A2FF643846.png?v=1615635664\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two white cups of reddish-brown tea beside a gaiwan and pitcher\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F4C989C6-76FC-4685-B490-F2CDEFA29102.png?v=1615635683\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932454777008,"sku":"d89ca","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":44932454809776,"sku":"d89cc","price":8100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932454842544,"sku":"d89cv","price":19400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7788.jpg?v=1737905739"},{"product_id":"d110","title":"Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea Mini Tuo Cha 2019","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Our Pu-erh Ripe Tea with Strong Aftertaste and Rich Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea Mini Tuo Cha is a ripe Pu-erh tea made from spring tea harvested from trees hundreds of years old growing deep in the mountains. It is a tea with a very well-balanced flavor, taste, and depth of aftertaste, allowing you to fully enjoy the richness of its flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2019 harvest has a strong flavor reminiscent of dried jujube, with a rich, long aftertaste and deep throat sensation. It dispels the musty image sometimes associated with ripe tea, making it enjoyable for both first-time Pu-erh drinkers and connoisseurs. Enjoy the mature, melting mouthfeel and the sensation of the tea flowing smoothly down your throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product (Mini Tuo Cha type) is designed for convenience, processed into small shapes resembling chocolate, allowing you to brew tea using the whole piece.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is available in 2 types: Mini Tuo Cha and cake. This product is the Mini Tuo Cha type.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although both types use raw material from Wu Liang Shan, the specific material used differs slightly. While sold under the same name, their flavor and texture are not identical. If you enjoy 1 type, we encourage you to try the other as well.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Five small paper-wrapped tea balls in a hand\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/29E69968-B1F9-4A84-A3A9-40C6483504BF.png?v=1615636494\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mini Tuo Cha\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round tea cake on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9E68EC48-C67F-472B-B4AB-7060A4568C81.png?v=1615636527\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cake type\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is well-received by regular Pu-erh drinkers and can be enjoyed equally by beginners and connoisseurs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor is reminiscent of dried fruits, and the taste is mellow, smooth, and full-bodied.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In addition to the pleasant drinking experience, Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea has a deep aftertaste that spreads through the back of the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The \"character\" of tea is determined by its flavor and drinking experience, but the \"quality\" of tea—which encompasses a three-dimensional, clean taste and flavor, and the richness you feel when drinking—is defined by the depth of its taste and flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Diagram of body (spread in the mouth) and aftertaste (what lingers after swallowing)\" width=\"630\" height=\"753\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/taste-body-aftertaste-en2.webp?v=1790840300\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Production of Pu-erh Tea in Yunnan Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"In Yunnan Province, you can find Pu-erh tea almost everywhere.\" In ethnic minority villages, each household produces Pu-erh tea, and even small villages have hundreds of varieties.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Across all of Yunnan Province, there are thousands or even tens of thousands of types of Pu-erh tea, so in that sense, finding a Pu-erh tea to buy is easy for anyone.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, finding Pu-erh tea with a deep aftertaste—as rich and mellow as high-quality chocolate—is extremely rare.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Layers of hazy mountain ranges\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/62FC9607-A456-4C95-89C6-DC8D7AD5820D.png?v=1615636628\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The mountains of Wu Liang Shan\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes growing on a slope among trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EEBF8226-463D-4790-AA39-81B044E2B6CE.png?v=1615636661\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is made from tea trees over 100 years old, planted in the mountains rather than cultivated gardens, making the tea semi-wild.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ethnic minorities harvest the tea 1–2 times a year as part of their livelihood. Tea plucking involves climbing the trees and selecting leaves by hand—a genuinely laborious process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To the ethnic minorities of Wu Liang Shan, the tea trees in the surrounding mountains are like wild vegetables, growing among wild trees in the forest.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Mountain tea contains more minerals than garden-grown tea, and old trees growing slowly with deep root systems yield leaves that are especially rich in minerals.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    These abundant minerals give the tea a richer, fuller taste. One of the main minerals in Pu-erh tea is iron, which plays a key role in blood production and is especially beneficial for those prone to anemia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman plucking tea leaves high in a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6DAD9A31-6CA0-4247-9A11-0167018A9435.png?v=1615636732\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A worker plucking leaves high in an old tea tree — harvesting from these ancient trees is a genuinely demanding task.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"An old tea tree spreading its branches beneath tall trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D261671E-A5C8-4B98-B08E-8B4A72DADB92.png?v=1615636748\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Old tea trees growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Various Shapes of Ripe Pu-erh Tea Depending on Usage\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh tea is shaped into various forms such as rounds and blocks, depending on its intended use. Before pressing, Pu-erh tea exists as loose leaves called mao cha.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once fermentation is complete, the leaves look similar to black tea. We purchase the tea in this state and have it pressed into the desired shape.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Loose dark brown tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/15E2616E-276C-4040-966F-AE0955E413DE.png?v=1615636815\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ripe Pu-erh mao cha before pressing\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Processed into Small Shapes for Convenience\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea Mini Tuo Cha is designed for convenience, pressed into small pieces resembling chocolate.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Each piece weighs 6–8 g, so use the whole piece when brewing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a wrapped tea ball and an unwrapped one\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/89B12BD4-96BA-42EC-868B-922D024530AE.png?v=1615636867\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The small size makes it convenient for sharing with friends!\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is Very Economical\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Five small paper-wrapped tea balls in a hand\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/29E69968-B1F9-4A84-A3A9-40C6483504BF_453bff26-b9e4-438e-b917-2dc88ad7ce64.png?v=1615636922\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is very economical — just 5 g of leaves can yield 2 liters of brewed tea across multiple infusions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If you do not finish the tea in one session, you can continue brewing within the same day. For example, it is perfectly fine to resume brewing the next morning from leaves used the previous evening.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A white cup of dark reddish-brown tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F914142E-0B51-4F98-BC96-D5FEAF21B7AB.png?v=1615636942\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Enjoying strong tea in small sips is another rewarding way to savor Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932454645936,"sku":"d110ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932454678704,"sku":"d110cc","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932454711472,"sku":"d110cb","price":4200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932454744240,"sku":"d110cv","price":10900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/29E69968-B1F9-4A84-A3A9-40C6483504BF.png?v=1737905737"},{"product_id":"d107","title":"Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake 2019","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Our Pu-erh Ripe Tea with Strong Aftertaste and Rich Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea Mini Tuo Cha is a Pu-erh ripe tea made from the spring tea of trees hundreds of years old growing deep in the mountains. It is a product with a very well-balanced flavor, taste, and depth (aftertaste), allowing you to fully enjoy the richness of its flavor and aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2019 harvest has a strong flavor reminiscent of dried jujube, with a rich, long aftertaste and deep throat sensation. It dispels the moldy image of ripe tea, making it enjoyable for both those who have never tried Pu-erh tea and experienced drinkers. Enjoy the mature, melting mouthfeel and the sensation of the tea flowing smoothly down your throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product (Mini Tuo Cha type) is designed for convenience, processed into small shapes like chocolate, allowing you to brew tea using the whole piece.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There are two types of Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea available: Mini Tuo Cha and cake.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product is the Mini Tuo Cha type.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although both Mini Tuo Cha and cake are made in Wu Liang Shan, the raw materials used are slightly different. While they are sold under the same name, their flavor and texture are not identical.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If you enjoy one type, please try the other as well.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Five small paper-wrapped tea balls in a hand\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/29E69968-B1F9-4A84-A3A9-40C6483504BF.png?v=1615636494\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mini Tuo Cha\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round tea cake on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9E68EC48-C67F-472B-B4AB-7060A4568C81.png?v=1615636527\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cake type\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is well-received by customers who regularly drink Pu-erh ripe tea and can be enjoyed by both beginners and connoisseurs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor is reminiscent of dried fruits, and the taste is mellow, smooth, and rich, blending well in your mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In addition to the pleasant drinking experience, Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea has a deep aftertaste that spreads in the back of the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The \"character\" of tea is determined by its flavor and drinking experience, but the \"quality\" of tea—which includes a three-dimensional, clean taste and flavor and the richness you feel when drinking it—is defined by the depth of its flavor and aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Diagram of body (spread in the mouth) and aftertaste (what lingers after swallowing)\" width=\"630\" height=\"753\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/taste-body-aftertaste-en2.webp?v=1790840300\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Production of Pu-erh Tea in Yunnan Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"In Yunnan Province, you can find Pu-erh tea almost everywhere.\" In villages of ethnic minorities, each household produces Pu-erh tea, and even in small villages, there are hundreds of types of Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Moreover, across Yunnan Province, there are thousands upon tens of thousands of types of Pu-erh tea, so in a sense, \"buying Pu-erh tea\" is easy for anyone.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, finding Pu-erh tea with a deep aftertaste, as rich and mellow as high-quality chocolate, is extremely rare.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Layers of hazy mountain ranges\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/62FC9607-A456-4C95-89C6-DC8D7AD5820D.png?v=1615636628\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The mountains of Wu Liang Shan\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes growing on a slope among trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EEBF8226-463D-4790-AA39-81B044E2B6CE.png?v=1615636661\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eThe Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is made from tea trees aged over 100 years old planted in the mountains rather than in tea gardens, making the tea semi-wild.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ethnic minorities pluck tea leaves 1–2 times a year for their livelihood. Tea plucking involves climbing the trees and plucking the leaves by hand, making it a laborious process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea in the mountains around Wu Liang Shan is like wild vegetables for the ethnic minorities, surrounded by wild trees.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Mountain tea contains more minerals than garden-grown tea, and old trees grow slowly with extensive root systems, resulting in tea leaves rich in minerals.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The abundant minerals make the tea taste richer. One of the main minerals in Pu-erh tea is iron, which plays a crucial role in blood production and is especially beneficial for women prone to anemia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman plucking tea leaves high in a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6DAD9A31-6CA0-4247-9A11-0167018A9435.png?v=1615636732\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A woman on a tree?! Plucking leaves from old trees is a life-threatening task.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"An old tea tree spreading its branches beneath tall trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D261671E-A5C8-4B98-B08E-8B4A72DADB92.png?v=1615636748\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Old tea trees growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Various Shapes of Pu-erh Ripe Tea Depending on Usage\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Pu-erh ripe tea is shaped into various forms such as round cakes and blocks, depending on its intended use. Initially, Pu-erh tea consists of loose leaves, referred to as loose tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once fermentation is complete, Pu-erh tea looks similar to black tea. We purchase the tea leaves in this state and have them pressed into the desired shapes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Loose dark brown tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/15E2616E-276C-4040-966F-AE0955E413DE.png?v=1615636815\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Pu-erh ripe tea mao cha before pressing\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Processed into Small Shapes for Convenience\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea Mini Tuo Cha is designed for convenience, processed into small shapes resembling chocolate.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Each piece weighs 6–8g, so use the whole piece when brewing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a wrapped tea ball and an unwrapped one\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/89B12BD4-96BA-42EC-868B-922D024530AE.png?v=1615636867\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The small size makes it convenient for sharing with friends!\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Tea is Very Economical\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Five small paper-wrapped tea balls in a hand\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/29E69968-B1F9-4A84-A3A9-40C6483504BF_453bff26-b9e4-438e-b917-2dc88ad7ce64.png?v=1615636922\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This Pu-erh tea is very economical, as you can brew multiple infusions from just 5g of tea leaves, yielding around 2 liters in total.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If you do not finish brewing in one session, you can continue the next day. For example, you can pick up where you left off the next morning with leaves brewed the previous evening.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A white cup of dark reddish-brown tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F914142E-0B51-4F98-BC96-D5FEAF21B7AB.png?v=1615636942\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Enjoying strong tea in small sips is another way to savor Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on teas with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we concentrate on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves grown in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, which accounts for their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932454547632,"sku":"d107ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932454580400,"sku":"d107cc","price":5200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932454613168,"sku":"d107cv","price":20300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d107_01.jpg?v=1737905735"},{"product_id":"d38","title":"Huang Wu Ling Raw Pu-erh tea 2013","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Huang Wu Lin Pu-erh tea  has a strong taste and rich flavor, providing a lingering sensation down the throat when you drink it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is produced in a small village in the mountains of Lincang. One of the characteristics of the Lincang mountainous area is its dry, desert-like climate and highly viscous red soil.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In this arid region, the tea trees appear quite shabby due to the harsh conditions, but high quality can be expected. On fertile land, tea grows quickly, resulting in a lighter taste and lower mineral content. In contrast, tea grown in a harsh environment over time has a much stronger taste. These tea trees have been cultivated in their villages for thousands of years. Following traditional farming methods, after the tea trees were planted, they were left in the fields without maintenance. This form of natural farming means the tea is wilder, with no pesticides or fertilizers used, and weeds were not removed except just before harvesting to secure a foothold. This cultivation method has been inherited from their ancestors. In this nearly-wild condition, the tea becomes very rich in taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d38_02.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Visiting the Village in the Mountains to Find Naturally Farmed Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The real thrill of drinking Pu-erh tea lies in enjoying the complex and robust taste of naturally cultivated tea at a lower price. In fact, if you were to ask for oolong tea, green tea, or black tea of the same quality level, the price would be unimaginably high. However, not all Pu-erh teas from Yunnan meet these criteria. Over 90% of the Pu-erh tea-producing areas in Yunnan have been visited by tourists after the development of roads, leading to the discontinuation of traditional natural cultivation methods in many areas. Many tea gardens have shifted to modern agricultural methods using fertilizers and pesticides. When this happens, the tea loses its richness in taste, yet the price rises unnecessarily. We seek tea with a thick taste made through natural cultivation, spending a month each year in the mountains of Yunnan to purchase tea. If you want high-quality tea, you must go to remote mountain areas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d38_03.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d38_04.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Unique Scent Produced by Simple Production Equipment\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Huang Wu Lin Pu-erh tea is produced in a very remote area where the producer lives a simple life with insufficient production facilities. The frying pan used for production is small and the iron plate is thin, making it difficult to maintain a constant temperature. As a result, the tea leaves tend to overcook during the pan-frying process, giving the tea a slight flavor of roasted soybeans. This scent is common in many younger Pu-erh teas. If you rinse the tea thoroughly before brewing (two to three rounds with boiling water), you can enjoy a clear flavor from the subsequent brews. Despite the toasted flavor, the tea's bold body and thick taste make it very popular. Over time, this tea develops a scent similar to white tea, with grassy notes reminiscent of straw and hay. After several years of storage, the flavor of honey, vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits forms, and the roasted soybean flavor from the first year becomes almost unnoticeable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d38_06.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" style=\"font-size: 1.4em;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d38_07.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea Leaf Quality and Processing Technology\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After venturing into tea sourcing for some time, I concluded that there are two options in selecting Pu-erh tea: first, choose medium-quality ingredients cultivated near the city with well-processed ingredients, or second, choose the finest ingredients from remote areas with a slightly fragrant flavor like roasted soybeans due to uneven roasting temperature. It's a challenging choice. For teas like this product, which have a strong taste and high-quality raw materials, I prefer the tea even if the roasting temperature is a bit high and the new tea's flavor isn't perfect. We hope you enjoy the overwhelming taste of these extremely high-quality, naturally grown ingredients. If you find the new tea's flavor unappealing, a few years of aging will create a fruity flavor like dried dates or fruits, dramatically improving the tea's drinkability.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d38_05.jpg\" alt=\"HOJO Package\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" style=\"font-size: 1.4em;\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Naturally cultivated tea gardens do not look like typical tea gardens. When you drink Huang Wu Lin Pu-erh tea, your face will flush, your body will warm up, and you will feel relaxed. Mineral-rich teas dilate blood vessels and promote better blood circulation, so drinking quality tea warms your body and relaxes you.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932454449328,"sku":"d38ca","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":44932454482096,"sku":"d38cc","price":11300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932454514864,"sku":"d38cv","price":27200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/2021-03-2518.29.22.jpg?v=1737905733"},{"product_id":"d92","title":"Yan Ming Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Yan Ming Shan Ancient Tree Raw Tea is harvested from naturally grown tea trees in the mountains in western Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Harvested by hand in March before the Qingming Festival, only the first bud and 2 leaves are used, resulting in a tea that contains many new buds. It has a medium body and a mellow taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has a transparent drinkability, and a refreshing citrus flavor and sweet aftertaste linger in the throat after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because it is made from completely naturally grown tea, it is very rich in minerals, which can warm the body and, for some people, make you tea drunk. The natural sweetness is rich, making it a popular tea among children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because the tea is harvested from ancient trees that are hundreds of years old, it is also suitable for aging, which will develop a sweet flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After aging for several years, it has developed sweet flavors reminiscent of sugarcane, caramel, and honey.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2016 harvest is known for its transparency, while the 2017 harvest is characterized by a heavy, rich flavor. It is particularly recommended for those who enjoy the scent of vintage Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round tea cake on white paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/BF6F51B0-8D5F-44AC-A51A-4E313633FE1F.png?v=1615640696\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Yan Ming Shan Ancient Tree Raw Tea is harvested from the mountains around Zhenkang in western Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWhy We Focus on Lincang Tea Over Xishuangbanna \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is made from naturally grown tea harvested by hand in March before the Qingming Festival, using only 1 bud and 2 leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of green and yellow leaves on a round tea cake\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C6009A46-6C59-4B30-8358-D0288F7194BB.png?v=1615640722\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Normally, Pu-erh tea is a mix of 1 bud and 2 or 3 leaves, so this is a relatively young pluck for Pu-erh tea. Because it contains many new buds, it has a medium body and a mellow taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Diagram of body (spread in the mouth) and aftertaste (what lingers after swallowing)\" width=\"630\" height=\"753\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/taste-body-aftertaste-en2.webp?v=1790840300\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has a transparent drinkability, and a refreshing citrus flavor and sweet aftertaste linger in the throat after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves in a lid beside a cup of pale yellow tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/BAEAD25B-E925-47C0-A907-EB94D9F4122E.png?v=1615640879\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    With no bitterness or astringency, it can be brewed for a long time for a strong flavor or brewed quickly for a lighter taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    A Tea Loved by Children\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea is carefully made with no burnt or off-flavors, so some people might mistake it for white or green tea due to its quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in minerals and with a natural sweetness, it is very popular with children. Unlike adults, children tend to prefer teas with a mild flavor and natural sweetness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is not unique to this tea, but our children, as well as the children of our customers, are often delighted with naturally grown Pu-erh tea and can't get enough of it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round tea cake on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/0AE4829D-F88B-4179-91E6-64A8A8C50552.png?v=1615640940\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Also Suitable for Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Yan Ming Shan Ancient Tree Raw Tea is harvested from ancient trees that are hundreds of years old, producing a gentle flavor. As a result, the sweet flavor that develops from aging over several years stands out like a painting on a white canvas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    You can enjoy the evolving flavors that come with aging.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"40g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932454154416,"sku":"d92ca","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":44932454187184,"sku":"d92cc","price":9200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932454219952,"sku":"d92cv","price":22000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d92_01.jpg?v=1737905728"},{"product_id":"d71","title":"Xian Shu Shan raw Pu-erh Tea 2013","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea, made by the Yi ethnic group, has a sweet floral and hay like flavour with a strong presence. Due to the small scale equipment used by the ethnic minority, it also has a roasted note, similar to Scotch whisky.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea is characterized by strong richness, with a lingering sweetness that remains after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Produced by ethnic minority farmers living in high altitude areas, this tea has a handmade character with a roasted note, similar to roasted beans. It is a tea that pairs well with cold weather, offering a rich and soft taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea with a fruity and fresh flavour, similar to newly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When people think of Pu-erh tea, they often imagine a tea with a brown liquor and a flavour of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, which is a type of Pu-erh called Ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n            Differences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Xianshu Mountain is located in Lincang. It is situated deep in the mountains, about 8 hours from the town of Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The soil is red and dry throughout the year, which restricts the growth of the tea plants, resulting in tea with concentrated flavour and strong richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea trees are owned by the Yi ethnic minority, from whom I purchase the tea. As a side note, the Yi people love alcohol, and when I go to purchase tea, they strongly recommend baijiu, which makes the process quite challenging.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9EA20F3C-3BEF-42B6-9B16-0BA69C96EB12.png?v=1615644860\" alt=\"A large tea tree growing beside an ethnic minority house\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A large tea tree growing beside an ethnic minority house\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6EA41556-1286-446B-9196-9A80F3AE063E.png?v=1615644874\" alt=\"In Yunnan Province, old trees are owned by ethnic minorities.\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In Yunnan Province, old trees are owned by ethnic minorities.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is pan fried by the Yi people themselves using wood fires. The difficulty in controlling the heat from the wood fire gives the tea a roasted note. The combination of the tea’s aging and roasting notes results in a character similar to fine Scotch whisky.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea is characterized by strong richness with a lingering sweetness. Especially after long term aging, the tea develops a smoothness similar to vintage oolong tea, with a sweet aftertaste that lingers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Please note that tea aged for a long time in an oxygen free environment should be enjoyed a few days after opening. Similar to decanting wine, exposing the tea to air allows its flavour to develop more fully.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Xianshu Mountain ancient tree raw tea is made from leaves harvested from late March to the first week of April. The delicate leaves give the tea a silvery appearance, similar to white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932453761200,"sku":"d71ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":44932453793968,"sku":"d71cc","price":9500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932453826736,"sku":"d71cv","price":22800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/2021-03-2514.13.09.jpg?v=1737905723"},{"product_id":"d30","title":"Zhong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2012 Malaysia Vintage","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSmoky note like vintage single malt whisky\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Compressed raw Pu-erh tea cake seen at an angle on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/d30_head_480x480.jpg?v=1613815643\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/d30_head_480x480.jpg?v=1613815643\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Zhong Shan Raw Pu-erh tea has been aged in Malaysia since 2012. With a tropical climate throughout the year, the aging effect is ideal.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    When the tea was freshly produced, it had a smoky note because this small lot was made in the mountains by villagers. Insufficient production facilities led to imprecise control during processing. After aging for some time, it has developed characteristics similar to a vintage Scotch whisky. It has a woodsy note with a smooth drinking sensation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I always like to enjoy it after a hectic day; it is a drink to calm the body and mind. Sometimes, when the water quality is outstanding, the scent of the tea is exactly roasted sweet potato. You can sense both the charcoal fire note and the sweet potato note, fully appreciating the character of aged Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932453433520,"sku":"d30ca","price":920.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932453466288,"sku":"d30cc","price":3300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake )","offer_id":44932453499056,"sku":"d30cv","price":13400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d30_05.jpg?v=1737905719"},{"product_id":"d23","title":"Dong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2023","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\nHarvested from a pesticide-free, fertilizer-free tea garden in Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, at an altitude of 2,100 to 2,200 meters, Dong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea comes from trees over 100 years old. It stands out for its smooth taste and clean, transparent flavor, making it a truly exceptional tea.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Hand holding a wrapped Dong Shan 2023 tea cake\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10060\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5332.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nDong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea, cultivated in a high-altitude tea garden using natural methods, is both reasonably priced and approachable. Its clarity and lingering finish, hallmarks of naturally grown tea, make it an excellent choice for daily enjoyment or for those new to raw pu-erh tea. Aged for one year, it achieves a harmonious balance between the freshness of new tea and a subtle hint of aged flavor. Furthermore, one of its appealing characteristics is its ability to develop a fruity, grape-like flavor after several years of anaerobic storage and aging, which adds to its enduring popularity.\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003cimg alt=\"Front surface of a round compressed tea cake\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10059\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5322-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Back of a round compressed tea cake with a center dent\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10057\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5316-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932453335216,"sku":"d152ca","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932453367984,"sku":"d152cc","price":6300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932453400752,"sku":"d152cv","price":25100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5322_136df20f-f5ae-498f-83d1-43cb72c419da.jpg?v=1737905718"},{"product_id":"d75","title":"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh tea 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    The Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea has rich sweetness and deep, intense flavor that fills your mouth. Anyone who has tasted authentic Ma An Shan tea even once will be surprised by the high quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In terms of body strength, it is on par with Lao Ban Zhang, the king of Pu-erh tea. With both richness and body, it is a tea that tea enthusiasts cannot resist.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2016 harvest had less rain during the harvesting season in Ma An Shan, resulting in exceptionally good quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea, similar to freshly made white wine, with a fruity and fresh flavor. It is very popular with children as it has no bitterness or astringency.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When people think of Pu-erh tea, many imagine tea with a brown color and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Ripe Pu-erh tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Differences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pale yellow tea in a white cup with a porcelain spoon\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/41CE725B-9214-4F8D-9A5A-D8679FC049B1.png?v=1615652075\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Outstanding Full Body (Richness) in HOJO's Lineup\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The most significant feature of Ma An Shan Gushu Raw Pu-erh tea is its very full-bodied flavor with a broad flavor, and its long-lasting aftertaste. It shares the same characteristics as the famous Lao Ban Zhang and Bing Dao, making it a very satisfying tea to drink.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Diagram of body (spread in the mouth) and aftertaste (what lingers after swallowing)\" width=\"630\" height=\"753\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/taste-body-aftertaste-en2.webp?v=1790840300\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Four Famous Production Areas in Lincang\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hillside village and tea fields among mountains\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/64503FD3-2FAA-4C65-95D5-F972ED39B669.png?v=1615652186\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When purchasing tea in Yunnan Province, I focus on buying tea in Lincang, which has high latitude and altitude.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lincang has four famous tea-producing areas: Xi Gui, Bing Dao, Mang Fei, and Ma An Shan. Among these four areas, Bing Dao and Xi Gui, which are relatively close to the city center of Lincang and relatively accessible, have seen prices skyrocket recently.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Four Famous Production Areas in Lincang (Yunnan Province)\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eXi Gui\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eBing Dao\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eMang Fei\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eMa An Shan\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Naturally, farmers want to make more money, so these two areas are heavily fertilized, and tea harvesting is done multiple times a year, resulting in a significant decline in quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In recent years, even in Mang Fei, which is 6-7 hours away from Lincang, the price has soared due to the opening of tea factories by government officials and the introduction of Chinese documentary programs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Ma An Shan Tea, a Representative Tea of Lincang\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea tree branches with young shoots and leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1CEEF464-6917-4A46-89D4-1EFC4E3B3B75.png?v=1615652240\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ma An Shan, the fourth famous production area in Lincang, is the farthest from the city center of Lincang and the nearest airport, requiring more than 8 hours by car.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Located near the Myanmar border, Ma An Shan is not very well-known, possibly due to its inaccessibility.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, anyone who has tasted authentic Ma An Shan tea even once will be surprised by its high quality. I was also shocked when I first tasted Ma An Shan tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ma An Shan tea is characterized by its very full-bodied flavor with a broad flavor and deep, complex flavor. When you put the tea in your mouth, you feel a strong expansion, as if the tea's flavor is spreading throughout your mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In terms of body strength, it is on par with Lao Ban Zhang, the king of Pu-erh tea. However, due to the recent price surge, fertilized cultivation has become common, and it is rare to find tea with the same deep flavor as Ma An Shan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ma An Shan tea is irresistible for tea enthusiasts as it combines both richness and body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Modern Agriculture Encroaching on Ma An Shan\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, even in Ma An Shan, fertilized cultivation has been carried out in the village center for several years, and the quality of the tea has declined. I am looking for tea from areas with high altitudes and natural cultivation methods.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person carrying a load across a hillside dotted with tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/3857E2C2-5ACA-4347-8BBC-EA254E7A67C6.png?v=1615652296\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tea gardens in the center of Ma An Shan village are heavily fertilized.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When tea trees are fertilized, they become greener, the tree's color turns blackish, and the size of the tea leaves becomes larger. Naturally cultivated tea has smaller leaves, a yellowish color, and the tree's color turns whitish. Also, the presence of grass and plants on the surface can indicate natural cultivation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932453105840,"sku":"d75ca","price":3300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932453138608,"sku":"d75cc","price":13000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932453171376,"sku":"d75cv","price":42300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d75_01_1.jpg?v=1737905715"},{"product_id":"d94","title":"Lao Hei Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea 2017","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10518\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9830.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holding a Lao Hei Zhai 2017 raw Pu-erh tea cake in its wrapper\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e Lao Hei Zhai is a small mountain village in Feng Qing County, Lincang, Yunnan Province, China. Feng Qing County is widely known as a production area for Yunnan black tea, but black tea production is concentrated mainly in areas relatively close to the town center. On the other hand, the county also has areas deep in the mountains where many old tea trees remain. In some of these areas, rain alone can make access from outside difficult. In recent years, cultivation with fertilizer has spread in some areas, but we introduce teas from growing environments that have been maintained without any fertilizer or pesticides. \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_03.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Advantage of a Little-Known Growing Area\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a little-known growing area, tea prices have not soared, so farmers are rarely pressed to increase production, and a relatively large number of tea gardens are kept in a near-natural state. Because the area is little known, demand is low, and as a result the environment remains free from the excessive cultivation practices of modern agriculture. The leaves are plucked only once a year and grow slowly without fertilizer or pesticides. As a result, the leaves are thick, with a high cell density, and rich in polyphenols. In fact, the polyphenol content of fertilized and unfertilized tea differs by more than three times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, once a growing area becomes well known and prices rise, farmers have an incentive to increase their income further, since the tea sells at a high price. With tea trees several hundred years old, like those used for Pu-erh tea, the number of trees cannot be increased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherefore, farmers turn to pruning to boost the vigor of the trees and encourage many young branches, or apply fertilizer to speed up leaf growth and increase the yield. Pruned tea trees put out many new shoots, so the harvest increases in the short term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA larger harvest means more leaves and more leaf area, but the tissue formed and the substances accumulated in each leaf become relatively thinner, and as a result the tea tastes thin and flat. \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_02.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_07.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_06.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Character Shaped by the Cool Highland Climate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLao Hei Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea comes from the mountains of Lincang. Among the Pu-erh producing regions, Lincang lies at a relatively high latitude, with lower temperatures throughout the year and an environment well suited to growing tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn general, tea trees grown at high altitude experience a large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. During the day, strong ultraviolet light drives photosynthesis, while at night the low temperatures keep the organic compounds produced during the day from being consumed excessively, so they are more easily retained in the leaves. These conditions contribute to the taste and aroma of the tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not widely known, but mountain vegetables also taste richer and sweeter the higher the altitude. In lower areas, spring arrives early and mountain vegetables can be gathered early. In the high mountains, spring comes about a month later, but the taste is incomparable to that of mountain vegetables from the lowlands. \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_04.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_05.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_08.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_09.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" border=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Does It Taste?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this is a naturally cultivated tea, it has a long aftertaste. As you can see in the photo below, the leaves were plucked with many young buds, so the tea has a soft mouthfeel and a distinctly creamy sensation in the mouth.\u003cbr\u003eIt has already been aging for nearly 10 years and has a sweet aroma reminiscent of dried fruit, especially dried persimmons, dried figs, and raisins, making it an easy tea to enjoy even for first-time drinkers. \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10516\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9852-1.jpg\" alt=\"A round raw Pu-erh tea cake seen from above\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more on how raw Pu-erh is made, aged, and stored, see \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eWhat Is Raw Pu-erh Tea?\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932452253872,"sku":"d94ca","price":2100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932452286640,"sku":"d94cc","price":8100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932452319408,"sku":"d94cv","price":32400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d84_head.jpg?v=1737905706"},{"product_id":"d69","title":"Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is characterized by a soft hay-like flavor, with subtle fruity notes and a sweet scent reminiscent of sugarcane and honey. It is pleasing to those who seek a deep and lingering aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2015 harvest was made using tea leaves harvested only during the first 2 days of the tea-plucking season.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea features an outstandingly deep richness and medium body, accompanied by a smooth, creamy texture. It is one of the top-quality teas in our Pu-erh tea lineup.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea with a fruity, fresh flavor, similar to newly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular among children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When people think of Pu-erh tea, they may imagine a brown-colored tea with the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits. However, that is actually a type of ripe Pu-erh tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        The Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Top view of a round compressed Pu-erh tea cake\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2018-02-02_16.36.42.png?v=1615877412\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Lincang: A Region of Pure Natural Cultivation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The main production areas of Pu-erh tea can be divided into 3 major regions in Yunnan Province: Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, and Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Regions Where Pu-erh Tea is Produced\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eXishuangbanna\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePu'er\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eLincang\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many people might think that most tea in Yunnan Province is grown using natural farming methods. However, in reality, most tea in Yunnan is grown with fertilizers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In recent years, due to the rising prices of Yunnan tea and the popularity of old tea trees, many farmers have started using fertilizers to increase their yield and income.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This phenomenon is not limited to China but can also be observed in Myanmar and Laos.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Among the 3 major Pu-erh tea-producing areas, Xishuangbanna is the most famous and commands the highest prices.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In recent years, the roads to Xishuangbanna have been greatly improved, making it easily accessible. However, the tea from Xishuangbanna has become overly expensive relative to its quality, which makes it less appealing to us.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Value of Lincang's Tea, Grown in Natural Conditions\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lincang, which still has many tea gardens practicing pure natural cultivation, has caught our attention. The more we learn about Pu-erh tea, the more convinced we are that Lincang produces excellent tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lincang is located in the southwest of Yunnan Province at a higher latitude. Some areas still lack roads leading to the villages.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One advantage of lesser-known production areas is that the tea trees are maintained in a very natural state. Due to their obscurity, demand is low and the trees are kept in near-natural conditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Additionally, compared to Xishuangbanna, Lincang's higher latitude produces larger temperature differences, creating an environment conducive to high-quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For these reasons, Lincang tea is of very high quality and relatively affordable. In recent years, we have focused on sourcing tea from Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan: Owned by Ethnic Minorities at 2,000 m Altitude\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is harvested from tea gardens owned by the Lahu and Yi ethnic minorities, located at around 2,000 meters altitude in Lincang, Yunnan Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan is a mountain range that stretches 400 km from Pu'er county to just south of Dali in Yunnan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although the name Wu Liang Shan suggests a single high mountain, it actually refers to a vast area with scattered ethnic minority villages.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since Wu Liang Shan covers a very broad area, the character and quality of the tea vary greatly depending on the village.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to the region's remoteness, no fertilizers are used, and the tea is grown using the same natural farming methods practiced for generations.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea trees grow individually like wild trees, surrounded by various wild grasses and plants. This coexistence with wild vegetation creates a natural nitrogen cycle, allowing the tea trees to grow very slowly over time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast to fertilized gardens where trees grow quickly and leaves grow large, naturally grown tea develops slowly with very small leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Just as an apple without richness tastes sweet but lacks depth, or convenience store ice cream is sweet but lacks complexity, naturally grown tea has a depth of richness that faster-grown tea simply cannot match.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932452155568,"sku":"d69ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932452188336,"sku":"d69cc","price":7600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932452221104,"sku":"d69cv","price":30200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d69_01.jpg?v=1737905705"},{"product_id":"d47","title":"Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is made from old tea trees grown in Wu Liang Mountain, one of the famous mountain ranges in Yunnan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2016 harvest has a strong aftertaste and flavor due to the continuous sunny weather before the spring harvest. This year's tea has a thicker body than usual and a very satisfying taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After aging for some years in Malaysia, the tea has developed a smooth drinking sensation with a dried fruity note.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Cloud-covered green mountains with a road and a few houses in the valley\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_07.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan has many old tea trees\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan is a mountain range that extends from Pu-erh county south to Dali in Yunnan, stretching about 400 km in length.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Some people may imagine Wu Liang Shan as a single high mountain, but it actually refers to a broad area consisting of many ethnic minority villages. As a result, the quality of tea varies widely depending on the village and mountain.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tea tree with bright yellow-green new leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_09.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is produced from fresh tea leaves of old tea trees grown at about 2,000 meters in Lincang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea garden is owned by ethnic minorities—the Rafu and Ye ethnic groups.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    They maintain their tea garden in a completely wild style, using no fertilizer or pesticide and conducting no pruning of the tea trees. This practice has been continued for hundreds of years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea trees grow independently like wild trees, and the garden is surrounded by natural vegetation. Even without fertilizer, the environment forms a balanced ecosystem, making the tea garden completely sustainable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In a sustainable tea garden, the tea trees grow more slowly. The leaves are smaller, and each leaf consists of smaller cells. Due to this slow growth, the tea accumulates more polyphenols and other substances, resulting in a thicker, richer taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"Thick taste\" means richness and a deep aftertaste—not bitterness or astringency. For example, an apple without a lingering aftertaste feels shallow. Ice cream from a convenience store is sweet enough but lacks a strong finish. The same applies to tea: naturally and slowly grown tea has a much deeper aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Freshly plucked tea leaves in a round bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_10.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person carrying a large bag past a stone and mud-brick house\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_13.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dried red chilies and beans in baskets on a bamboo rack\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_14.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A table spread with rice, meat and vegetable dishes and cups of tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d67_08.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSome people may think that most Yunnan tea comes from natural farming gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, nowadays most Yunnan tea is grown with fertilizers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In recent years, the price of Yunnan tea has gradually increased and old tea trees have become popular. Because of this, many tea farmers have started applying fertilizer to increase productivity and yield. This trend is happening not only in China but also in Myanmar and Laos. The number of naturally farmed teas is now far smaller than those grown using modern agricultural practices.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea has a strong aftertaste and medium body\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Those who enjoy a strong aftertaste will love this tea. It has a flavor reminiscent of sugarcane, with hints of brown sugar and honey, and a smooth drinking sensation. The tea processing was well-managed, and it has no smoky or scorched flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is easy to enjoy even when young, and it is also excellent after aging for several years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Why are some tea lovers so passionate about Pu-erh tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We often say to our customers, \"oolong for flavor and Pu-erh for taste.\" No tea can match the depth of a quality Pu-erh. The taste we are referring to is the extent of the aftertaste lingering down the throat. The flavor of well-aged Pu-erh is also wonderful, but the greatest advantage of Pu-erh tea remains its aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In particular, the taste is remarkable when the tea is grown at high altitudes, harvested from old tea trees, and produced without fertilizer. An oolong tea of equivalent quality would command an astronomical price. The real charm of Pu-erh tea lies in its thick taste, abundant sweetness, and a soft drinking sensation like pure water flowing down the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Usually, tea begins developing an aged flavor after 3–4 years of storage. Well-aged tea develops flavors of fruit or honey. Even those new to Pu-erh tea should find the aged flavor easy to enjoy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Leafy tea trees on a mountain slope with hills in the distance\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0698.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The naturally farmed tea garden in Wu Liang Shan\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Woman pan-firing fresh tea leaves in a large wok\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9943.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"40g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932452057264,"sku":"d47ca","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932452090032,"sku":"d47cc","price":7600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932452122800,"sku":"d47cv","price":30200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d47_05.jpg?v=1737905703"},{"product_id":"s04","title":"Pu-erh Jasmine Pearl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    It is a rare jasmine tea that can only be made by us, as we stay in Yunnan for nearly two months every year to select teas according to our quality criteria.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Normally, jasmine tea is made of green tea. It has a strong jasmine flavor and a weak tea taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After trying many jasmine teas available in the market, we decided to produce our own jasmine tea using raw pu-erh tea. You might worry that raw pu-erh tea gives an odd flavor, like old furniture or a stale odor. This tea is totally different. On the first sip, you will enjoy an uplifting and refreshing jasmine bouquet, followed by a rich tea taste, a mellow drinking sensation, and a long-lasting aftertaste. This is not just an ordinary jasmine tea; it is a well-balanced jasmine tea in both taste and flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We carefully selected the base tea from a natural farming garden, which uses no pesticides or fertilizers. Thus, the tea grows slowly and is rich in minerals and tea substances, which you can tell by the deep lingering finish down the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/PJ9_480x480.jpg?v=1614962733\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"595\" height=\"385\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Why Use Pu-erh Tea for Jasmine Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The reason for making jasmine tea from raw pu-erh tea is to achieve a richness in taste that cannot be obtained with ordinary tea leaves. The strength of the richness is reflected in the lingering flavor, and you can feel the jasmine flavor travel deep down the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0988-1.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The raw pu-erh tea used in this production is of such high quality that it could be part of HOJO's standard raw pu-erh tea lineup. This tea is grown entirely naturally, in a mountain about 12 hours by car from Lincang, near the Myanmar border. This area has limited infrastructure, no proper tar or cement roads, and you need a jeep or tractor to reach the producers in the Lahu villages. These areas have very little rain and very dry mountains, populated with tea trees planted by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. As a tradition of ethnic minorities, they do not use fertilizers or pesticides, and weeds growing around the tea trees are left unattended. They only remove the weeds once a year before the spring harvest, and then the weeds are left untouched until the next spring. According to them, this method of growing tea trees has been continued for over 1,000 years. With this method, tea trees grow very slowly and produce very few leaves, so the tea leaves contain a high concentration of minerals. The quality of these tea leaves is among the highest in China, but because it is located in the mountains, we obtained the tea leaves at a realistic price and made jasmine tea with a rich taste that is unachievable with ordinary tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0974-1.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea trees in the natural farming garden. Obviously, there are very few tea leaves on each tree.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0923-1.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Jasmine Raw Pu-erh Tea Resembles White or Green Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When you hear about jasmine raw pu-erh tea, you might think, \"Did you make jasmine tea with the brown-colored tea that tastes musty like old furniture?\" Many people associate pu-erh tea with dark-colored ripe pu-erh tea, which is made by microbial fermentation. Ripe pu-erh is a tea developed in the 1970s and has a history of about 40 years. On the other hand, raw pu-erh tea is dried under the sun after being heated in the same way as green tea, but for raw pu-erh tea, some remaining enzymes are activated during the sun-drying process, making it a semi-fermented tea. In other words, from the viewpoint of manufacturing methods, raw pu-erh is very close to white tea, green tea, or Taiwanese oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_10941-1.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves of raw pu-erh tea are green.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Enjoy the Lingering Sweetish Taste of Minerals Unavailable in Ordinary Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, it is said that the higher the quality of tea, the softer the taste, and after drinking such tea, the warmer the body feels. Drinking pu-erh jasmine tea makes your face blush and your body warm rapidly. This is because the minerals aid in improving blood circulation throughout the body, including the face. Depending on the amount you drink, you may feel too relaxed and experience a \"tea drunk\" feeling, which is a feeling of tipsiness caused by lowering blood pressure and improving blood circulation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    How is the Jasmine Flavor Achieved?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The scenting process is conducted in Guangxi, the hub of jasmine flower plantations in China. Only fresh jasmine flowers of the right size are used, and the scenting is conducted repeatedly at night, at least five times, to produce the utmost quality of jasmine tea. Each time, fresh jasmine flowers are blended with the tea overnight to let the tea absorb the natural jasmine fragrance when the flowers bloom at night.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/jasmine03.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"316\" height=\"237\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/jasmine02.jpg\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"316\" height=\"237\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    With fresh jasmine flowers, the outcome of scented jasmine tea is totally different from commercial jasmine tea, which is perfumed with essential oil. The pu-erh jasmine pearl is scented with fresh jasmine flowers for many nights, so the jasmine flavor lasts for several brews. After brewing, the jasmine flavor still remains on the brewed leaf, unlike perfumed jasmine tea, where the flavor reduces drastically after the second brew.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/jasmine01_480x480.jpg?v=1615018250\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea in pearl shape is mixed with fresh jasmine flowers and proceeds for scenting overnight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/Jasmine_02_480x480.jpg?v=1615018361\" alt=\"Jasmine Tea\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The next morning, the jasmine flowers are sieved and separated from the tea, and the tea will be dried and kept for the next scenting with fresh jasmine flowers again.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932450549936,"sku":"s04ca","price":1300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932450582704,"sku":"s04cc","price":3900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932450615472,"sku":"s04cb","price":7600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932450648240,"sku":"s04cv","price":18700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5267.jpg?v=1737905683"},{"product_id":"d126","title":"Gong Ting Jin Hao 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"The back of a round pressed tea cake with its center hollow\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8352.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gong Ting Jin Hao has a pleasant flavor of dried fruits and is a high-quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pressed tea cakes wrapped in bamboo leaf and tied with string\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8339.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gong Ting Pu-erh is a category of ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although books and the internet often describe Gong Ting Pu-erh as the highest grade of Pu-erh tea, this is not necessarily accurate.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Freshly made ripe Pu-erh tea leaves are called mao cha, consisting of one bud and two or three leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding dark tea leaves over a pile of leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9F00D9C2-3011-4716-98FB-F8A5651B0474.png?v=1615625490\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Raw tea after fermentation\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh tea is graded by sieving the mao cha by size and part.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two kinds of dark tea leaves side by side in a bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/71CC1434-C930-43BF-8F38-268C523FDD26.png?v=1615625544\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Left: raw tea, Right: after grading\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Neither is necessarily superior, but grading can create unique characteristics that mao cha lacks by separating it into buds, leaves, stems, and other parts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gong Ting Pu-erh is the grade that consists mainly of bud tips. Because of the high proportion of buds, the uncompressed tea has a deep golden color, giving it an impression of high quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to its limited yield and high demand, Gong Ting Pu-erh is typically the most expensive among the graded components.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, there is no inherent logic that buds are the most flavorful part. Buds have a high amino acid content, which produces a smooth, melting sensation in the mouth. In terms of mellow softness, tea with a high proportion of buds excels. On the other hand, buds tend to have a lighter flavor compared to leaves. Due to market dynamics, Gong Ting Jin Hao commands a high price, but this does not necessarily guarantee the best quality. Enjoy the unique flavor and aroma characteristics that come from tea with a high proportion of buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E1EFA213-02FE-410A-A61B-1483773CDDF7.png?v=1615625594\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Of course, even within Gong Ting Pu-erh, quality varies greatly depending on the raw materials used.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea grown with heavy fertilization, naturally cultivated tea, and naturally cultivated tea plucked from old trees all differ in terms of richness and depth. The soil quality of the tea garden also influences the tea's body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Obtaining high-quality raw materials with excellent body and richness is essential. Such tea is already very satisfying even at the mao cha stage.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gong Ting Pu-erh made from superior raw materials naturally achieves excellent quality and provides a memorable taste experience after just one sip.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A round compressed tea cake of dark brown leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/24666433-0F11-4CEF-8279-C951232943E0_cc69972f-3e91-46e8-b681-d0939bf0f09c.png?v=1615625646\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Quality of Ripe Pu-erh Tea is Closely Related to the Quality and Production Conditions of Raw Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh tea is made by microbial fermentation of raw Pu-erh tea. Therefore, the key to quality lies in the raw Pu-erh tea before fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In years with low yields, much of the high-quality tea is sold as raw Pu-erh tea and does not reach ripe tea production. Since raw Pu-erh tea commands higher prices in Yunnan Province, high-quality raw material is often diverted to raw tea processing. In low-yield years, it becomes difficult to source raw materials for ripe tea, and rain-plucked leaves are sometimes used instead. Tea plucked in the rain tends to have a lighter taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"The surface of a round pressed tea cake on white paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8347.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A pressed tea cake broken apart into loose leaves on white paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8354.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A cup of reddish-brown tea beside a bowl of dark steeped leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8365.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Further Improvement in Quality with Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is enjoyable now, but aging it for several years will deepen the flavor and add density to the taste. If you wish to age it, store the tea unopened in a warm room. We recommend buying now and aging at home, as stock may no longer be available when you return for it later.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932437606576,"sku":"d126ca","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932437639344,"sku":"d126cc","price":8100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932437672112,"sku":"d126cv","price":32400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8352-2.jpg?v=1737905515"},{"product_id":"d137","title":"Wu Jia Ping Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea 2020","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Tea from a Single Tea Garden\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea is produced from an area called Wu Jia Ping Zhang, located in the village of Wu Jia Zhai in Yongde County, Lincang. In Chinese, 'Zai' refers to a settlement smaller than a village (usually about a few hundred people).\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The name Wu Jia Zhai comes from the many people with the surname Wu, indicating a settlement of the Wu family.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        We offer a raw pu-erh tea named Wu Jia Zhai raw pu-erh tea, made from tea leaves of multiple tea gardens in Wu Jia Zhai.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        In contrast, Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea comes from a single tea garden. Due to the centuries-old, naturally cultivated tea trees grown without pesticides or fertilizers, it has a very strong aftertaste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When thinking of pu-erh tea, many may imagine a brown-colored tea with an flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits. This type of tea is called ripe pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw pu-erh tea, however, is fruity and delicate like freshly made white wine. It is completely free of bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eDifferences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea garden is at a high altitude of around 2100m, located in the southwest of Lincang, Yunnan, and it is very near the Myanmar border.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Lush green tea garden in the hills\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3803.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Disc-shaped tea cake with a dimple in the center\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d138_01.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A compressed Pu-erh tea cake seen from above on its paper wrapper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d137_01.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman with a shoulder bag plucking leaves from a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932436721840,"sku":"d137ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":44932436754608,"sku":"d137cc","price":13000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932436787376,"sku":"d137cv","price":31100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d137_01.jpg?v=1737905500"},{"product_id":"d138","title":"Wu Jia Ping Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea 2021","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Tea from a Single Garden\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea is from an area called Wu Jia Ping Zhang, located in the village of Wu Jia Zhai in Yongde County, Lincang City. In Chinese, \"Zhai\" refers to a settlement smaller than a village, typically with a population of a few hundred people.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wu Jia Zhai is named after the many people with the surname Wu who live there.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        We offer a raw pu-erh tea called Wu Jia Zhai raw pu-erh tea, made from tea leaves from multiple tea gardens in Wu Jia Zhai.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        In contrast, Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea is from a single tea garden. It comes from naturally cultivated, pesticide-free, and fertilizer-free old trees that are several hundred years old, giving it a very rich aftertaste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When you think of pu-erh tea, you might imagine a brownish tea with the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of pu-erh called ripe pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw pu-erh tea is fruity and delicate, like freshly made white wine. It is entirely free of bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eDifferences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea is harvested from tea gardens located at an altitude of around 2100m in the southwest of Lincang City, Yunnan Province, near the Myanmar border. We offer the 2020 (357g cake) and 2021 (200g cake) harvests.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Lush green tea garden in the hills\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3803.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Two Unique Teas\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This time, we are releasing two different teas from 2020 and 2021. The 2020 tea is a 357g cake, and the 2021 tea is a 200g cake. The 2020 tea was aged for two years in an oxygen-free environment before release.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Disc-shaped tea cake with a dimple in the center\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d138_01.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    The photo shows Wu Jia Ping Zhang raw pu-erh tea 2021.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2021 cake is 200g. Since we produced raw pu-erh tea from the same area for two consecutive years, we varied the tea leaves used to ensure each year's tea has a unique character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2020 tea was made from leaves harvested around mid-April. This period is ideal for balanced flavor and aroma. The high proportion of buds gives the tea a soft, creamy texture and a smooth mouthfeel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, the 2021 tea was made from leaves harvested in mid-May. Although from the same garden, you might wonder why the 2020 tea was harvested in mid-April and the 2021 tea in mid-May. The answer is that both are first flush teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, Yunnan farmers sow new tea plants as each generation passes, resulting in mixed-age tea gardens.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Wu Jia Ping Zhang tea garden also consists of tea trees of various ages, ranging from around 100 years to several hundred years old. Younger trees grow faster, while older trees grow more slowly. Only the oldest trees produce first flush tea in May.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One might think that older trees are always better, but by May, the season progresses and temperatures rise. Compared to April, the leaves open more, and the proportion of buds decreases by weight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, the creamy, smooth mouthfeel characteristic of the April harvest is lost. Instead, the May harvest has higher clarity, increased crispness, and a long aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2020 tea is well-balanced and appeals to a broad audience, while the 2021 tea is more specialized and will delight connoisseurs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman with a shoulder bag plucking leaves from a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932436623536,"sku":"d138ca","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932436656304,"sku":"d138cc","price":6700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932436689072,"sku":"d138cv","price":26800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d138_02.jpg?v=1737905499"},{"product_id":"d161","title":"Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2022","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Unique Characteristics of 2020 and 2021 Harvests\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea has a well-balanced taste with a moderate body and a long aftertaste. The 2020 harvest has a creamier and smoother mouthfeel, while the 2021 harvest offers a longer aftertaste and a sharp, transparent taste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When thinking of Pu-erh tea, many may imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits. However, that type of tea is Ripe Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw Pu-erh tea is fruity and delicate, much like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDifference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea is made from spring tea harvested from tea gardens at an altitude of 2000–2100 meters in the western part of Lincang City, Yunnan Province. The name \"Tang Jia\" comes from the family name \"Tang,\" who own the tea garden. Despite having many old trees that anyone would envy, the Tang family's tea garden was left unattended for about 30 years until 2018, without any tea being plucked.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Ancient Tea Garden Left Unattended for 30 Years Due to Family Circumstances\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The Tang family used to be tea farmers, but after the current head of the family inherited the property, they switched to raising cattle and goats. The high-quality meat of cattle and goats grazed on wild mountain grass in the high-altitude areas of Lincang fetches high prices. Even pen-raised cattle sell for around 10,000 yuan (approximately 150,000 yen) per head, and free-range cattle command even higher prices, making livestock farming a coveted occupation in the village. Consequently, many tea garden owners, like the Tang family, have switched to livestock farming.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Person herding cattle and goats along a dirt path\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3084.jpg\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7724\" width=\"630\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Initially, the Tang family expected his wife to be involved in tea production while Mr. Tang (pictured above) managed the livestock. However, since the livestock farming provided sufficient income, his wife had little interest in working the tea garden. As a result, the garden was left unattended for years, creating tension within the family — particularly with the mother-in-law — and ultimately leading to their divorce a few years ago.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"People walking with cattle up a rocky red-soil slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8771.jpg\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7730\" width=\"630\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Me attempting to touch a goat kid.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Now in his 50s, Mr. Tang remarried after his first wife left. His new wife is a refugee from Kokang, Myanmar.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Kokang was a region of intense civil conflict, with fighter jets and mortar shells flying overhead until just a few years ago. The western part of Lincang is only about 50 kilometers from Myanmar, and accepting refugees from there is common. In counties like Zhenkang and Yongde, it is not unusual for locals to marry people from Myanmar.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Smiling woman in a striped top standing among tea bushes\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0111.jpg\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7728\" width=\"630\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Mr. Tang's new wife from Myanmar (pictured above) is an incredibly hard worker. Within less than six months, she transformed the completely overgrown garden into a pluckable state by clearing the underbrush and cutting down small trees. Her extraordinary work ethic made her famous in the village, and the tea garden became known as \"the ancient tea garden of the Myanmar wife.\"\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        In 2018, I attempted to source Tang Jia's tea, but due to its popularity I could only secure a small amount of the raw tea leaves. In 2019, I decided to rent the Tang family's tea garden. Fortunately, the tea producer I collaborate with is a relative of the Tang family, which allowed me to arrange the rental fee through the producer and secure a one-year lease.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Following local custom, when renting a tea garden you pay the rental fee upfront and also pay the Myanmar wife a fair rate for plucking the tea. This arrangement provides the Tang family with additional income from the rental fee.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Hillside tea garden covered in bright green tea bushes\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2838-2.jpg\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7726\" width=\"630\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The Tang family's tea garden after clearing the overgrowth.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Slowly Grown Tea Trees\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Interestingly, even tea trees that have thrived for hundreds of years can suddenly become weak and die if fertilized. Farmers with this knowledge avoid using any fertilizers to prevent weakening the trees. The Tang family has\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but on teas with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we seek out remote mountain villages and select tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through channels off the beaten path. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to originate from famous regions are produced across thousands of locations using leaves sourced from elsewhere, and can be found everywhere — from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What makes the situation more complex is a well-known phenomenon among local sourcing professionals: teas made from leaves grown in remote, lesser-known areas often surpass the genuine articles in quality. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands such as Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are highly regarded because teas produced before 1990 are considered exceptionally valuable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Why are those older teas so special? Many assume it is simply due to long aging, but the real reason is that the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, giving them inherently superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This means that even if today's teas are aged for just as long, they will not reach the same level. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932435509424,"sku":"d161ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932435542192,"sku":"d161cc","price":7600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932435574960,"sku":"d161cv","price":26800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4140-1_380bf309-426a-475c-8594-1ea5b182134f.jpg?v=1788163472"},{"product_id":"s09","title":"Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea","description":"\u003cimg alt=\"Dark tea leaves and hands holding jasmine flowers\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9348\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/kuromari.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"279\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Instead of sourcing finished jasmine tea, we specialize in producing custom-made jasmine tea by bringing our carefully selected raw materials to jasmine factories. Over the years, we have created numerous unique jasmine tea varieties that are not available elsewhere, such as Pu-erh jasmine tea made from raw Pu-erh tea leaves, Jasmine Silver Needle made from white tea collected from old tea trees, and Wild Jasmine Bud made from wild white tea buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This time, we have processed a tea that we have always wanted to try as jasmine tea: ripe Pu-erh tea! You might wonder if ripe tea and jasmine tea would complement each other, so we invite you to give it a try.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"White jasmine flowers spread out in a thick layer\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9347\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1826.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Photo of the jasmine scenting process\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Remarkable Compatibility Between Ripe Pu-erh Tea and Floral Flavors\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, ripe Pu-erh tea exhibits a remarkable affinity for floral and fruity notes. In Hong Kong, there is a popular tea known as \"Kok-pou\" that combines ripe Pu-erh tea with chrysanthemum.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, there has been a growing trend in recent years of stuffing ripe Pu-erh tea inside hollowed-out mandarin oranges, resulting in a uniquely flavored tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe tea also demonstrates unexpected versatility when blended with various types of tea. Have you ever tried blending ripe tea with black tea in a 50\/50 ratio? The outcome is an exceptionally delightful blend.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Based on these experiences, I firmly believed that ripe tea would undoubtedly complement jasmine.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Reddish-brown tea liquor in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9346\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0318.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Using Ripe Pu-erh Tea Made from Naturally Grown Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When sourcing base-tea for Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea, we specifically sought out naturally-grown tea. Naturally-grown tea imparts a rich and deep taste that is essential for crafting high-quality jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    A Tea That Surprises Everyone\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We created this tea with the assumption that ripe Pu-erh tea and jasmine flavor would complement each other well. However, I must admit I had some concerns until I actually tasted the finished tea. To my surprise, the mellow sweetness of the ripe tea combined with the refreshing flavor of jasmine created an unbeatable combination.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is recommended not only for those who like jasmine tea but also for those who are not fond of ripe Pu-erh tea. Due to the jasmine flavor, the distinct fermented flavor of ripe Pu-erh tea is completely absent, replaced instead by the vibrant scent of jasmine. Furthermore, thanks to the rich and robust taste of ripe Pu-erh, it offers a satisfying experience when consumed, making it a perfect choice for evenings or enjoyed alongside desserts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Moreover, as this tea is based on ripe Pu-erh tea, it has a warming effect on the body. When you actually drink it, you will experience not just a slight warmth, but a remarkable sensation that leaves your body pleasantly cozy. This makes it an ideal choice for chilly days or when you want to feel warm and comfortable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Perfect Pairing with Desserts!\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is a great match for desserts. Unlike regular jasmine tea, which has a refreshing taste due to its green tea base, it doesn't always go well with all desserts. However, ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea, with its fermented tea as the base tea, pairs exceptionally well with sweet treats like pastries. It's also a versatile option that complements a wide variety of desserts, including baked apples, apple pie, tarts, cheesecakes, and desserts made with fruit puree or jam.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Reddish-brown tea in a white cup and a serving pitcher\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9345\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0325.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea Unlocks a New Dimension of Milk Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Surprisingly, when ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is prepared as milk tea, it undergoes a remarkable transformation and becomes an exceptionally delightful beverage. As someone who usually prefers drinking tea without any additions, even I find myself irresistibly tempted to give it a try. Once transformed into milk tea, the floral fragrance of jasmine takes on a fruity undertone, and when combined with the creamy texture of the milk, a sweet fruity essence reminiscent of apple tea emerges. It's as if you're entering an entirely new realm of milk tea experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Milk tea in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9344\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0331.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Recommended for Cocktails and Mixing with Shochu\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is not only fascinating as a standalone drink but also an intriguing ingredient for cocktails. One simple and outstanding combination is with shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit. Try mixing black jasmine tea with a mild-flavored shochu such as barley, rice, or black sugar-based varieties. Once you experience it, you'll become addicted. Additionally, you can experiment by substituting shochu with other spirits like tequila, rum, or vodka. And if you're looking for a distinct twist, adding milk to ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea infused with shochu creates a one-of-a-kind beverage.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Dry dark brown tea leaves on a white background\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9343\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0315.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Concerning the Occasional Presence of Green Tea Mixed In\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We carefully select and sort tea leaves by hand and package them with great care. However, during the production of jasmine tea, there may be a small unintentional mix of green tea or white tea. This can occur if traces of our previously processed teas, like Snow Jasmine or Jasmine Silver Needle, remain in the drying machine and occasionally get mixed in. Although we make efforts to remove non-ripe Pu-erh tea leaves during hand-sorting, it may not be possible to completely eliminate green tea or white tea buds that have a similar color to ripe tea in their dry form. If you discover green tea leaves mixed in while brewing the tea, please understand that it will not impact the taste or flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932435280048,"sku":"s09ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932435312816,"sku":"s09cc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932435345584,"sku":"s09cb","price":7200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932435378352,"sku":"s09cv","price":18100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0315.jpg?v=1737905484"},{"product_id":"s08","title":"Wild Raw Pu-erh Jasmine Pearl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eOut of curiosity, we decided to create Jasmine tea using Da Xue Shan Wild Raw Pu-erh Tea. This resulted in an extremely rare tea, even in Japan and China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For more details on the development of this tea, please refer to the following column.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    An Attempt to Make Jasmine Tea with Raw Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n     \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    Recommended Jasmine Tea Selection \u0026gt;\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Why Make Jasmine Tea with Raw Pu-erh Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The reason for making Jasmine tea with Raw Pu-erh Tea is to achieve a level of deep richness that cannot be obtained with regular tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The strong richness is also reflected in the aroma, making the jasmine scent feel like it’s being inhaled into your chest.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A smiling man in a cap standing among tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/772ED470-046D-4550-8630-A0EEBADF07C1.png?v=1615901585\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Custom Production of Jasmine Tea through Our Production Network\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the spring, we source the base tea from various production areas and send it to a Jasmine tea production factory in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for scenting. This unique supply chain allows us to process any type of tea we source into Jasmine tea. We have previously developed many original Jasmine teas, such as Raw Pu-erh Tea, Wild White Buds, Ripe Pu-erh Tea, Jasmine Silver Needle, and Snow Jasmine.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Using Da Xue Shan Wild Tea as the Base\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Driven by curiosity, we decided to custom produce Jasmine tea using wild Raw Pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea is completely different from common tea grown in tea gardens, natural cultivation tea, abandoned tea, or mountain tea. This tea grows naturally in the mountains without any human intervention, similar to wild seafood, making it an excellent quality tea due to its slow natural growth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The raw material used is our \"Da Xue Shan Wild Tea\". This tea is made from a variety called Camellia Taliensis. Most teas are made from Camellia Sinensis (genus Camellia, species Sinensis). Taliensis is considered closely related to the Sinensis species.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Moss-covered branches with green leaves in a forest\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5008.jpg?v=1737905480\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9664\"\u003e Wild tea image \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a hat looking up at trees in a dense forest\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0128-1.jpg?v=1737905480\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9665\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Camellia Taliensis tea has a unique flavor similar to grapes or young tree bark. Notably, it has a strong and lasting aftertaste similar to wild mountain vegetables. Additionally, the Taliensis variety has a very strong body, making it an incredibly distinctive tea. Of course, our Da Xue Shan Wild Tea is a very popular Raw Pu-erh Tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In my experience, I have never heard or seen this tea being processed into Jasmine tea. Due to its high rarity and difficulty of procurement, wild Raw Pu-erh tea is very popular, making it uncommon for it to be processed into Jasmine tea even in China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Laborious Supply Chain Management Required for Custom Production of Jasmine Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After producing Da Xue Shan Wild Tea by our producers in Yunnan Province in March, it was first sent to Fujian Province for pearl rolling. Since Taliensis is a large-sized tea, the rolled pearls ended up looking like South Sea black pearls. The rolled tea leaves were then sent to the Guangxi Region for scenting with high-quality jasmine flowers in the autumn.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A metal scoop lifting dark rolled tea pearls from a pile\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0431.jpg?v=1737905480\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9658\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Jasmine Tea Unlike Any Other Jasmine Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While the dry tea leaves before brewing have a distinct jasmine scent, the brewed tea's jasmine flavor is surprisingly mild. The long aftertaste creates depth in the scent, making the jasmine flavor feel gentle. While the unique wild tea flavor is not immediately apparent while drinking, it slowly rises and lingers in the mouth after finishing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Golden-yellow tea in a white cup on a dark patterned cloth\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0469.jpg?v=1737905480\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9661\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The overall scent feels more like citrus than jasmine. The high-quality material reflects strongly in the aftertaste, making the tea strong enough to feel warm and slightly tea-drunk after just one sip. Our tasters consistently described it as \"not typical jasmine tea, but with a deep flavor that makes you want to keep drinking\".\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark rolled tea pearls on a white background\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0441.jpg?v=1737905480\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9663\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Please note that the production volume is limited, so it will be discontinued once the stock runs out.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDifferences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh tea was developed in the 1970s, with a history of about 40 years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, Raw Pu-erh Tea is sun-dried after pan frying, similar to green tea. This allows the remaining enzymes to become active, making it a semi-fermented tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    From a production perspective, it is very similar to white tea, green tea, or Taiwanese oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dried tea leaves spread in a round bamboo basket\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/8835A3EA-64EC-4562-9EF3-4103778FB053.png?v=1615901720\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea cups and tea leaves laid out on a bamboo tea tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/41060AD1-FBF6-4A52-90A4-F1B330D1B5B5.png?v=1615901737\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Raw Pu-erh tea leaves are green.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Experience the Taste of Minerals Not Found in Ordinary Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, the higher the quality of tea, the softer the taste and the more it warms the body. In fact, drinking Pu-erh Jasmine Tea makes your face flush and your body warm up rapidly.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is because blood is circulating throughout the body, causing a state of relaxation known as \"tea drunk\".\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea drunk refers to the sensation similar to mild alcohol intoxication due to lowered blood pressure and improved blood circulation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For details on the production method, please refer to the column on how to make jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    Recommended Jasmine Tea Selection \u0026gt;\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of white jasmine flowers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A466479B-C044-41EF-8505-C248E24CEBFD.png?v=1615901797\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine buds on a stem among green leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F09CF610-223D-4B82-8C77-7F353B41C8F0.png?v=1615901814\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932434919600,"sku":"s08ca","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932434952368,"sku":"s08cc","price":7300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932434985136,"sku":"s08cb","price":14400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932435017904,"sku":"s08cv","price":35200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0426-1.jpg?v=1737905479"},{"product_id":"d99","title":"Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A rectangular dark brown tea brick on white paper\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9608\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0353.jpg?v=1713922771\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have released Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2017.\u003cbr\u003e This tea is made from large cha tou, which naturally formed lumps collected during the fermentation process of ripe pu-erh tea made only from spring tea. The term \"zhuan\" refers to the block shape.\u003cbr\u003e Due to its very distinctive flavor, it may be a tea that people either love or dislike, but for those who love it, it is a perfect match.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    What is Cha Tou?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of ripe pu-erh tea involves various microorganisms, including aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, molds, and yeasts. Cha tou are naturally formed lumps that appear during the fermentation process. These lumps are primarily formed through the interaction of polysaccharides produced by microorganisms such as actinomycetes and tea components during microbial fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark brown clumped tea leaves in a metal bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8039\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5838.jpg?v=1737905873\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n    Large cha tou before compression\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5783.jpg?v=1737905873\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone wp-image-6734 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5783.jpg?v=1737905873\" alt=\"Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou mainly forms when using nutrient-rich first flush tea from spring, and it generally does not form from summer-harvested tea. It forms in small quantities from autumn-harvested tea, but the amount is extremely limited. Even when fermenting several tons of autumn tea leaves, only 20-30 kg of cha tou can be obtained, and it is very loose and easily breakable. Cha tou from autumn harvest has a rough taste and differs significantly in quality and flavor from spring harvest cha tou.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A compressed dark brown tea brick showing its clumped leaves\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9607\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0345.jpg?v=1737905478\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n    Since cha tou is compressed into blocks, you can see the lumps of cha tou on the surface. The edges are somewhat irregular due to compression.\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because spring tea is rich in nutrients, cha tou grows very hard and large. However, since there is very little ripe pu-erh tea made from spring tea, cha tou is extremely rare in the pu-erh tea market.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Unique Flavor Formed Through Special Fermentation and Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou has distinct characteristics in both flavor and taste. Compared to the loose ripe pu-erh tea from the same batch, cha tou has a very fruity flavor, rich taste, sweetness, and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The unique flavor and aroma of cha tou are due to its formation process. The interior of cha tou, formed midway through fermentation, is in a semi-fermented, oxygen-free state. At this point, cha tou contains appropriate moisture and is aged for a month by the heat generated during fermentation. This oxygen-free aging process creates a very fruity flavor. Large cha tou, in particular, stands out in flavor and quality due to the large volume of tea leaves under oxygen-free conditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Aged for 5 Years in a Malaysian Warehouse\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product was purchased in 2017. However, cha tou's flavor is best realized after several years of aging, so it was aged for five years in a Malaysian warehouse. Initially, it had a somewhat rough taste, but long-term aging in Malaysia's high temperatures has matured the flavor and enhanced the smoothness of the taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan is Right Next to Myanmar\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea is sourced from Bao Dao Shan, located in the southwestern part of Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. Bao Dao Shan is very close to the Myanmar border and is a well-known mountain among the residents of Zhenkang County, characterized by its steep, rocky appearance. Personally, I felt that this mountain's appearance is similar to Nokogiridake in Japan's Southern Alps. In any case, its steep, blade-like appearance is distinctive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A hazy mountain rising above fields in the foreground\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9612\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/bao-dao-shan-1536x980.jpg?v=1737905478\" width=\"630\" height=\"402\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Flavor of Jujube and Camphor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2017 is produced by the same producer as our Bao Dao Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2016, but the production years are different, and the tea gardens vary slightly. The raw materials for this batch are from minority farmers who used small pan-frying kettles with firewood for pan frying.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a wrapped tea brick with HOJO and Chinese characters on the label\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9613\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0321.jpg?v=1737905478\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea has a sweet flavor reminiscent of dried jujube, along with a woody flavor called \"camphor fragrance\" by enthusiasts, which is popular in Southeast Asia. The camphor fragrance in Bao Dao Shan Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2017 is mild, with a strong sweet base flavor of jujube, making it a very drinkable and addictive tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea from Bao Dao Shan has a very full-bodied character as a unique feature of its raw materials. When you sip it, the flavor spreads, and a pleasant sweetness is felt on both sides of the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Commercializing the Most Cherished \"Cha Tou\" Through Compression\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea is made from cha tou naturally formed during fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha tou is a natural formation that cannot be intentionally produced, so producers cherish cha tou, and it is highly valued and very popular among enthusiasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product, like HOJO's raw pu-erh tea, is made from ancient trees several hundred years old, achieving an incredibly strong richness for a ripe pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It features a sweet flavor like dried fruit and an intensely deep richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        \u0026nbsp;\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e \u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh Tea has an intensely deep richness and strong body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This level of richness is very rare for ripe pu-erh tea, but this product achieves strong richness because it is made from ancient trees several hundred years old, just like raw pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Flavor Loved by Enthusiasts\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/193E3E52-F0FC-48A8-9336-994DFF9E176F.png?v=1615632478\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe pu-erh tea has a category called \"cha tou.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In simple terms, cha tou refers to \"tea that naturally solidifies during fermentation,\" characterized by a sweet flavor like dried fruit and intensely deep richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Sweet Flavor Like Dried Fruit Created by Oxygen-Free State\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This cha tou is very popular among enthusiasts because of its unique flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High-quality ripe pu-erh tea is said to have the flavor of dried jujube, \"jujube fragrance,\" and cha tou is a tea where this jujube fragrance is strongly felt.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Fermentation Process of Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of ripe pu-erh tea involves a primary fermentation by bacteria and a secondary fermentation by molds and yeasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePrimary Fermentation: Involves bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSecondary Fermentation: Involves molds and yeasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Primary Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The first stage is fermentation by bacteria. Raw pu-erh tea is used as the raw material for ripe pu-erh tea. The piled raw pu-erh tea is moistened and covered, then left for several weeks.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During this time, fermentation by bacteria such as actinomycetes proceeds, and the temperature of the tea leaves reaches a very high level of 60-70°C. As fermentation progresses, the temperature begins to drop.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A large mound of dark tea leaves covered with fibrous matting\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E1684359-3AEA-4D97-8092-E4330B944909.png?v=1615632810\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Primary Fermentation Process of Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark tea leaves beside bark and fibrous matting\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/69B0175F-9313-4D6A-84E5-BF758D4B94DC.png?v=1615633279\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Primary Fermentation Process of Ripe Pu-erh Tea\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding dark tea leaves over a pile of leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/7F3C34E9-CEEB-4B8A-8B8D-20BEDF50C1CC.png?v=1615633313\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After the fermentation by bacteria is completed, the tea leaves are spread in a large room and piled to a thickness of about 20 cm.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Secondary Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This room is open, well-ventilated, and kept in a dry state. During this time, molds grow on the tea leaves, and fermentation by molds occurs. This is the secondary fermentation of ripe pu-erh tea, contributing to the flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Formation of Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Polysaccharides produced by microorganisms (mainly actinomycetes) act as adhesives, causing the tea leaves to aggregate into lumps. As a result, the interior of cha tou remains in an oxygen-free state, allowing fermentation and aging to proceed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This process results in a unique aged flavor not found in regular pu-erh tea, which is why it is strongly supported by tea enthusiasts for its sweet fragrance like dried fruit.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The factors contributing to the unique flavor of cha tou are as follows:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eMicroorganisms undergo a different metabolism (fermentation) due to the lack of oxygen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe high temperature and oxygen-free state promote ideal aging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While it is difficult to determine which factor has a stronger influence, it can be said that the oxygen-free interior is significantly related to the formation of cha tou's unique flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of dark brown tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/87406B6C-496C-4FC3-9608-568AA95442E1.png?v=1615633451\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Partially Lumpy Cha Tou\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/193E3E52-F0FC-48A8-9336-994DFF9E176F.png?v=1615632478\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cha Tou on Fingers, Other Leaves are Regular Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Highly Popular and Difficult to Obtain Cha Tou\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As explained, cha tou is a natural formation during fermentation by microorganisms and cannot be intentionally produced. Moreover, cha tou only forms from spring tea, which is very limited in the overall ripe pu-erh tea production.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, producers cherish cha tou, and it is highly valued and commands a high price in the pu-erh tea market.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Highly rare cha tou often sells out quickly and is difficult to obtain without a reservation. At HOJO, we had not been able to handle it so far, but fortunately, we were able to purchase cha tou from naturally grown tea during a timely visit to the producer.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, cha tou is sold in a loose state, but at HOJO, we compressed it into a shape that can withstand long-term aging.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding clumps of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2655CB66-62AF-45D0-9E86-64AC23F24399.png?v=1615633569\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cha Tou Taken from the Manufacturing Process. These were Gathered and Compressed into Blocks.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cbr\u003e This product is made from naturally grown tea. In Japan, agriculture involves various tasks such as weed management, fertilization, pruning, and pesticide application.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast to modern agriculture, in remote minority villages in Yunnan Province, where cha tou is produced, tea trees planted by ancestors are left untouched and grow as if they were wild.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once a year, before plucking the tea, the underbrush is lightly cut, and other than that, the tea trees grow as part of the ecosystem like wild trees.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To cope with various environmental stresses, the tea contains high-density organic compounds and is rich in minerals such as iron, resulting in a very rich flavor with deep richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea that has grown slowly over time tastes entirely different from tea grown using modern agricultural methods. Once you experience the meltingly deep taste, you will never forget it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For more about naturally grown tea, please refer to \"Golden Tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGolden Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, if you seek the same level of tea in oolong, green, or black tea, the price would be unimaginably high.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, not all pu-erh tea produced in Yunnan meets these conditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In my experience, more than 90% of pu-erh tea production areas have shifted to agriculture using fertilizers. With the development of roads and the influx of tourists, the traditional natural cultivation method that has continued for thousands of years is being lost.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, the tea lacks deep richness, and the price rises unnecessarily.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We stay in the deep mountains of Yunnan for a month every year to source tea, seeking naturally grown tea with a rich flavor. To source high-quality tea, it is necessary to go to more remote areas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/tea-in-lincang\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eReasons for Focusing on Tea from Lincang Instead of the Famous Production Area of Xishuangbanna \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"250g (block)","offer_id":44932434821296,"sku":"d99cc","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (small bag\/small block)","offer_id":44932434854064,"sku":"d99ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (4 blocks)","offer_id":44932434886832,"sku":"d99cv","price":20700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0353-2.jpg?v=1737905478"},{"product_id":"d142","title":"Wu Mu Long Raw Pu-erh Tea 2021","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wu Mu Long Raw Pu-erh Tea 2021 is made from leaves harvested from tea trees that are several hundred years old, located in tea gardens at an altitude of over 2000 meters. In early April, Wu Mu Long at high altitude is still a bit chilly. Because the tea grows in lower temperatures, the leaves are smaller, resulting in a higher bud ratio, giving a smooth and creamy texture in the mouth.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When people think of Pu-erh tea, they often imagine a brown tea with flavors like dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called Ripe Pu-erh.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea with a fruity flavor, similar to freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDifferences between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        This tea has aged in oxygen-free storage in Malaysia after production, developing a sweet flavor.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Wu Mu Long Village with Traditional Farming\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wu Mu Long is the name of a village located in Yongde County. The village is formed by ethnic minorities such as the Yi race. Wu Mu Long is a small village where even the best accommodation does not have lighting at night, hot showers, or proper toilets when I first time visited there. Due to its rustic and rural charm, the village is insulated from external noise, making it less susceptible to market price fluctuations. Therefore, traditional natural cultivation tea gardens still exist in the village.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/R0010316.jpg\" alt=\"Wu Mu Long Village\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9445\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4108.jpg\" alt=\"Wu Mu Long Tea Garden\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7455\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Long Aftertaste and Sweet Flavor from Natural Cultivation\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        This product is made from tea leaves harvested from trees that are a few hundred years old, located in tea gardens at an altitude of over 2000 meters. In early April, Wu Mu Long at high altitude is still a bit chilly. Because the tea grows in lower temperatures, the leaves are smaller, resulting in a higher bud ratio, giving a smooth and creamy texture in the mouth.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0010.jpg\" alt=\"Wu Mu Long Tea Leaves\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9444\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Since it is made from tea leaves grown on old trees using natural cultivation without fertilizers or pesticides, it has a long aftertaste and a pleasant, lingering flavor. The sweet flavor is reminiscent of fresh sugarcane, honey, and dried grapes.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932432855216,"sku":"d142ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932432887984,"sku":"d142cc","price":7300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932432920752,"sku":"d142cv","price":29400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0016.jpg?v=1737905459"},{"product_id":"d160","title":"Huo Di Raw Pu-erh Tea 2022","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"A muddy mountain road seen from a car window\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0618-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Huo Di Raw Pu-erh Tea 2021 is a single garden raw pu-erh tea made exclusively from one small tea garden.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Single Garden Tea\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Huo Di is the name of a tea garden owned by a tea farmer with whom we have a relationship. Those who have purchased the limited edition white tea may have heard this name.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Huo Di is an old tree tea garden located at an altitude of about 2100m in the southwestern part of Lincang. The trees are on average several hundred years old, and the garden is maintained without fertilizers or pesticides. The high altitude, tree age, and non-fertilized cultivation result in very high-quality tea in terms of raw material.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        We do not source from local wholesalers or tea factories, but rather directly from the producers who own the tea gardens. This allows us to classify tea at the garden level and offer single garden tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Huo Di Raw Pu-erh Tea Composed of Top Buds\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The tea is usually made from raw materials harvested around mid-April, focusing on apical buds. Old tea trees generally have high market value. Therefore, farmers typically blend the apical buds with the side buds harvested about a week later. However, the producer we work with owns a particularly large tea garden in the area and is unable to keep up with tea plucking every year. As a result, they unintentionally harvest only the apical buds, creating a luxurious situation.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Round compressed tea cake on white paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0608.jpg?v=1789407630\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Back of a round tea cake with a central dent\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0597.jpg?v=1789407626\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Sustainable Huo Di Raw Pu-erh Tea Garden Without Pesticides and Fertilizers\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The tea garden is completely free of fertilizers and pesticides, and is maintained with minimal care throughout the year. Farmers only perform minimal maintenance, such as cutting grass before tea plucking, allowing the tea trees to grow naturally. Such gardens are considered sustainable, meaning the tea trees adapt naturally as part of the surrounding ecosystem and maintain a very healthy state. The health of the tea can be felt in its transparency, richness, and length of aftertaste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Additionally, Huo Di has very good sun exposure throughout the garden, resulting in a refreshing and clear taste and flavor whether processed as white tea or raw pu-erh tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Due to several years of aging, the dried tea leaves already have a very sweet fragrance. When brewed, the tea has a grape-like flavor with subtle notes of sugarcane and pomelo—reminiscent of white wine, making it easy for beginners to enjoy.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes growing on a mountain slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9663-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh Tea Where Raw Material is Important\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw pu-erh tea is processed at a lower temperature than green tea, retaining many of its compounds without oxidation. This results in a very gentle mouthfeel and allows the individual character of the raw material to come through. In other words, the most important element in enjoying pu-erh tea is the \"raw material.\" The higher the quality, the longer the aftertaste and the clearer the flavor. High-quality tea has a high polyphenol content and is suitable for aging. Raw pu-erh tea develops a sweet flavor when aged. We recommend aging in an oxygen-free environment to bring out the sweet, fruity flavor.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people may have the preconceived notion that pu-erh tea is bitter and astringent, but much of this comes from second flush or later harvests, and from low-altitude or conventionally cultivated tea. In contrast, first flush pu-erh tea from high altitudes has a gentle mouthfeel and a rather sweet taste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman with a shoulder bag plucking leaves from a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932431184048,"sku":"d160ca","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932431216816,"sku":"d160cc","price":7000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932431249584,"sku":"d160cv","price":28100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7128-1_cbb57b3d-2e22-4ad6-871e-4e566e64e301.jpg?v=1788877726"},{"product_id":"d29","title":"Xiu Lin Wuhao Raw Pu-erh Tea 2011 Malaysia Aged","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Xiu Lin Wu Hao Gushu Raw Pu-erh Tea is harvested from mountains deep in Lincang, accessible by an 8-10 hour drive. The tea leaves used in this product are known as 'Wu Hao' among farmers, as they are dark and covered in fine hairs. However, when brewed, the leaves turn a yellowish hue, a sign that the tea has grown naturally. This tea has a rich, full-bodied character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea's flavor immediately sinks into the throat upon sipping, releasing a gentle sweetness that spreads gradually. The lingering sweetness remains in the throat, allowing you to enjoy the flavor long after finishing your cup. Xiu Lin Wu Hao Gushu Raw Pu-erh Tea was discovered in a producer’s warehouse in Lincang. While selecting tea from 2012, this particular tea was presented as \"a good tea from last year.\" The depth of the flavor was astonishing when evaluated, and upon tasting. It has hinted at a faint honey fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd width=\"322\"\u003e\n                \u003cimg width=\"316\" height=\"211\" alt=\"Pu-erh Tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d31_03_ed1348db-6e70-4fa2-8722-13c6473d4420.jpg\"\u003e\n            \u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd width=\"10\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd width=\"322\"\u003e\n                \u003cimg width=\"316\" height=\"211\" alt=\"Pu-erh Tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d31_04.jpg\"\u003e\n            \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e\n                \u003cp\u003e\n                    In Yunnan Province, old tea trees are owned by ethnic minorities.\n                \u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n                \u003cp\u003e\n                    A giant tea tree growing beside an ethnic minority's house\n                \u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is produced by ethnic minorities using the most traditional and primitive method of pan frying over a wood fire, which imparts a smoky character similar to Scotch whisky.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932429906096,"sku":"d29ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932429938864,"sku":"d29cc","price":5900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932429971632,"sku":"d29cv","price":23800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d29.jpg?v=1737905419"},{"product_id":"d101","title":"Ming Feng Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2026 Loose","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMing Feng Shan is a village on the border of Yongde and Zhenkang counties in Yunnan, China. On a sunny east-facing slope at 2,000 to 2,200 m, tea trees several hundred years old grow without fertilizer or pesticides, surrounded by plants and wildlife. It tastes clear, with a hint of grape and citrus, no astringency and a sweet aftertaste. Long-term storage may bring out a sweet flavor like honey and raisins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932429414576,"sku":"d101cc","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":45758223155376,"sku":"d101cb","price":7600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932429480112,"sku":"d101cv","price":18700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4374.jpg?v=1793584907"},{"product_id":"d149","title":"High Mountain Purple Tea 2024 No.2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is harvested from a mountainous region in Lincang, Yunnan Province, located just tens of kilometers from the Myanmar border, at an altitude of 2100 meters. It has a notably strong body, and when tasted, the peachy flavor gently spreads in the mouth, leaving a lingering sweetness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain Purple Tea is harvested from a mountainous region in Lincang, Yunnan Province, located just tens of kilometers from the Myanmar border, at an altitude of 2100 meters.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    These areas are home to villages of ethnic minorities, where purple tea has been made for over 100 years. Locals have been drinking it, just like regular tea, for generations.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tea branch with young yellow-green shoots and leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3077-2.jpg?v=1615643435\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a hat standing among tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3079.jpg?v=1615643457\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHigh Mountain Purple Tea Tree\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    According to local ethnic minorities, purple tea originates from wild tea plants, and the name comes from the purple coloration of the stems and other parts of the tea plant.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of freshly plucked green tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/04C2FEDB-4703-43AF-B723-5493583BB566.png?v=1615643537\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs shown in the picture above, not all tea stems are purple.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Heaped freshly plucked tea leaves with reddish stems\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/282B9570-A31A-4C27-8B1E-A721B5B7BF0F.png?v=1615643738\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Freshly plucked tea shoots and stems on an open palm\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/4D9E3840-070B-4B38-9BC0-E23B48320A4C.png?v=1615643763\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Another characteristic is that when processed, the tea leaves change to a deep indigo color. Therefore, the name \"purple tea\" may also refer to the color of the tea leaves after processing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark tea leaves spread on a woven bamboo mat\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B6EF8032-BA28-468A-8C31-9CE21975AB86.png?v=1615643852\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe picture above shows mao-cha before sorting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    A Tea Loved by Enthusiasts for Its Strong Body\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain Purple Tea has two main characteristics.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Characteristics of High Mountain Purple Tea\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eStrong body\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eHoney and perilla-like flavor developed through aging\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When you taste High Mountain Purple Tea, the flavor spreads across your mouth. This is the tea's most notable feature: its strong body, with flavors gently spreading, leaving a sweet aftertaste in your mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Honey Flavor Developed Through Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain Purple Tea has a sweet flavor reminiscent of perilla, peaches, and honey. Because the flavor is very strong, it is easy to recommend to beginners of raw pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, through aging, the flavor becomes richer, and you can enjoy sweet scents like dried fruits, canned fruit, or brown sugar.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For aging, please store the tea unopened (in an oxygen-free environment) in a room with as high a temperature as possible. The lack of oxygen will allow the tea to age ideally.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although aging is an oxidation reaction, oxidation can progress even without oxygen (the exchange of electrons between substances is also part of the oxidation process).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Round dark tea cake resting on crumpled paper\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4715.jpg?v=1615643950\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    High Mountain Purple Tea is Different from Purple Silk Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Purple Tea is often confused with the purple tea discovered in 1985 in Nannuo Mountain in southern Yunnan. However, the purple tea from Nannuo Mountain has a purple appearance and a strong astringency, making it unsuitable for drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After some cultivation, a variety known as Zǐ Sī Chá (紫絹茶) was created, which is more suitable for drinking. However, Zǐ Sī Chá has a short history, and it has only been sold recently. Most of the tea trees are grown in tea gardens that follow modern agricultural practices.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the high mountain areas of Lincang, Yunnan Province, there are purple tea trees that are over 100 years old, and this tea has been part of local life for generations, long before the discovery of purple tea in Nannuo Mountain in 1985.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The appearance of High Mountain Purple Tea is very similar to regular tea, with the exception that sometimes the stems are purple. Therefore, it seems likely that High Mountain Purple Tea is a subspecies of Camellia sinensis.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In terms of flavor, it does not have a particularly astringent taste, and is a smooth and drinkable tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Round dark tea cakes lined up on wooden racks\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3573.jpg?v=1615643999\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pale golden tea in a white bowl with a spoon\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4729.jpg?v=1615644016\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932429086896,"sku":"d149ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932429119664,"sku":"d149cc","price":7300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932429152432,"sku":"d149cv","price":29400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5226_bf8ecf5a-d4f6-4920-8f97-f73811188c34.jpg?v=1737905404"},{"product_id":"d134","title":"Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh 2020 Loose","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This product is a loose tea. We have procured it in loose form to accommodate a wide range of uses, such as blending with other teas, making milk tea, and using it in cooking. Loose tea is characterized by a gentler taste and a smoother, milder flavor compared to cake tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh is a Pu-erh tea well-received by regular Pu-erh drinkers and equally enjoyable for beginners.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We recommend this tea because \u003cstrong\u003ethe balance of flavor, taste, and depth of aftertaste is excellent, and both the flavor and aroma are very rich. The flavor is reminiscent of dried fruit, and the taste is mellow, smooth, and full-bodied.\u003c\/strong\u003e While these qualities can be found in other well-fermented Pu-erh teas, Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh stands out for the sheer depth behind them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Beyond the drinking experience described above, Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh has a deep aftertaste that spreads through the back of the throat. This is not merely about flavor type or aroma type, but about the \u003cstrong\u003e\"quality\"\u003c\/strong\u003e of those qualities—the three-dimensional, impurity-free taste and flavor, and the fullness that fills you when you drink it. This quality factor is determined by the \u003cstrong\u003e\"depth of flavor and aroma,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and it is something we have sought during our visits to Yunnan Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003e\"In Yunnan Province, you encounter Pu-erh tea everywhere you go.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e In ethnic minority villages, each household makes Pu-erh tea, and even a small village may have hundreds of varieties. Across all of Yunnan Province, there are thousands or even tens of thousands of types of Pu-erh tea, and in that sense, finding a Pu-erh tea to buy is easy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, Pu-erh tea with a deep aftertaste—mellow and rich like high-quality chocolate—is extremely rare. We encountered Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh after more than 10 days of tasting trips through various mountainous areas of Yunnan Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hazy mountain ranges beyond reddish slopes\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d03_03.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    The mountains of Wu Liang Shan\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes growing on a slope among trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d06_03.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    Tea growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, ripe Pu-erh tea is made from garden-grown tea, while high-quality raw Pu-erh tea comes from old trees in the mountains. Wu Liang Shan Ripe Pu-erh, however, is made from tea leaves harvested from trees over 100 years old, planted in the mountains in a semi-wild state—not in cultivated gardens. The ethnic minorities pluck this tea 1–2 times a year as part of their livelihood. Though called tea plucking, it involves climbing the trees and selecting leaves by hand one by one, making it an extremely labor-intensive task.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To the ethnic minorities of Wu Liang Shan, the tea trees in the surrounding mountains are like wild mountain vegetables. The trees have grown so large that upon entering the forest, they blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and are difficult to distinguish from other trees. No pesticides or fertilizers are used—because to these communities, the tea trees are simply another part of the natural mountain environment.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea grown in the mountains has a higher mineral content than garden-grown tea. Old trees, growing slowly with deep roots, accumulate leaves that are especially rich in minerals. These abundant minerals give the tea a rich, full taste. The principal mineral in Pu-erh tea is iron, which plays an important role in blood production and is an essential nutrient for those prone to anemia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A plucker in a hat high among the branches of an old tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d06_01.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    A worker plucking leaves high in an old tea tree — harvesting from these ancient trees is a genuinely demanding task.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Old tea trees on a slope below tall trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d06_02.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    Old tea trees growing in the mountains\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932428824752,"sku":"d134ca","price":760.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"80g (in can)","offer_id":44932428857520,"sku":"d134cc","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"240g (large bag\/80g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932428890288,"sku":"d134cb","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"720g value pack (80g x 9 bags)","offer_id":44932428923056,"sku":"d134cv","price":11500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d134_01_9d6ef23f-6432-46f7-bca8-3543b7f89e43.jpg?v=1737905401"},{"product_id":"d143","title":"Yun Xian Ripe Pu-erh tea 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    It is not difficult for even amateurs to obtain ripe Pu-erh tea, not only in Yunnan Province.\u003cbr\u003e\n    When tourists visit China, many buy Pu-erh tea as a souvenir, and about 80% of them are ripe Pu-erh tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    You often hear people say, \"I bought it from the authentic place in China, so it's really good tea.\" However, the reality is that most of these are not balanced with the price.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The overall quality of Pu-erh tea is determined by the balance between the richness of the taste and the type of aroma.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Unlike raw Pu-erh tea, ripe Pu-erh tea involves microbial fermentation, making the manufacturing process complex. Therefore, it is rarely produced by individual farmers. \u003cstrong\u003eThe production of ripe Pu-erh tea generally means a factory.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Of course, factories have employees. Salaries and equipment costs must be paid whether the tea sells or not.\u003cbr\u003e\n    In other words, compared to individual farmers who only need to sustain themselves, factories have high fixed costs and must sell in volume to recover those costs.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Therefore, the basic concept of producing ripe Pu-erh tea in factories is to produce in large quantities and to procure low-cost tea leaves.\u003cbr\u003e\n    While individual farmers produce raw Pu-erh tea in units of tens to hundreds of kilograms per year, factories produce it in tons.\u003cbr\u003e\n    To sell a large amount of tea, the quality must be uniform. If the quality of tens of tons of tea is inconsistent, it cannot be sold.\n    For this reason, factories blend tea leaves to ensure uniform quality.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Some believe blending is a technique or secret to creating quality Pu-erh tea, but the purpose of blending in factories is different.\n    The purpose of blending is solely to standardize quality. It is common to blend three types: spring tea, summer tea, and autumn tea, to standardize cost and quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d83_03.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In terms of blending raw materials, similar efforts are made in factories for green tea, black tea, and oolong tea, not just Pu-erh tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The major difference with Pu-erh tea is that \u003cstrong\u003eripe Pu-erh tea is made through microbial fermentation, which breaks down tannins, the cause of astringency. As a result, even if cheap raw materials are used, the tea does not taste astringent.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    On the other hand, products made from cheap tea garden raw materials in green tea and black tea have strong bitterness and astringency, making it immediately clear that the quality is low. The same applies to raw Pu-erh tea made from cheap raw materials, which becomes very astringent.\u003cbr\u003e\n    No matter how cheap and low-quality the raw materials plucked in midsummer are, ripe Pu-erh tea does not become astringent.\u003cbr\u003e\n    The reality is that many people cannot judge the quality of ripe Pu-erh tea because it does not have the astringency associated with cheap tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Unfortunately, good quality raw materials in Yunnan Province are used for the production of raw Pu-erh tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    This is because high-quality raw Pu-erh tea sells for much higher prices than high-quality ripe Pu-erh tea.\n    This raises the question, \"Is there hardly any good quality ripe Pu-erh tea on the market?\" In fact, the position of ripe Pu-erh tea in Yunnan Province is similar to that of bancha or genmaicha in Japanese tea,\u003cbr\u003e\n    meaning that good quality ripe Pu-erh tea is generally limited.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At HOJO, we specifically purchase only spring tea before blending. We repeatedly taste a considerable amount of tea to introduce good quality.\u003cbr\u003e\n    As mentioned earlier, even at airports, hundreds of types of ripe Pu-erh tea are displayed, but finding truly good quality tea is even more difficult than finding good quality raw Pu-erh tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    What makes good quality ripe Pu-erh tea different? While ripe Pu-erh tea might have an image of a musty tea, good quality tea should leave a certain level of impression when you drink it.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Here are the characteristics of delicious ripe Pu-erh tea:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    1. Even when brewed lightly, the taste is rich and deep. The aroma is not a thin scent that escapes the nose but can be felt deep in the throat, leaving a deep aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    2. Properly fermented tea has a sweet aroma like dried fruits. On the contrary, poor-quality tea smells like earth, natto, feet, or rotten furniture. This is due to the lack of oxygen in the tea leaves caused by poor moisture control during fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is made at an altitude of 2000 meters. In Taiwan, tea grown at 2000 meters is considered quite high-quality high mountain tea. The significant temperature difference between day and night at high altitudes results in a tea with a rich aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d83_02.jpg\" alt=\"Pu-erh tea\" height=\"420\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea trees are cultivated using a method called \"Qiaomu.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea production area is Yunnan Province's west, a region called Yun County in Lincang. This area is also well known as a production area for Yunnan black tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Lincang is located at a high latitude, and the tea cultivation area is very high in elevation, resulting in generally good tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product has a sweet aroma of dried fruits, and together with a deep throat feel, the lingering scent can be felt for a long time after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although it is reasonably priced tea, it has a rich taste (throat feel) that is far from casual tea for daily drinking. It is high-quality tea that could easily sell for 2-3 times the price.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Occasionally, you can find such bargain teas in Yunnan Province. It is highly cost-effective tea, making it highly recommended for beginners to Pu-erh tea.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Since there is limited stock, if you like the quality of this product, it is recommended to buy in bulk.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea tree, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in sourcing locally. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So, why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small block)","offer_id":44932428726448,"sku":"d143ca","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g (block)","offer_id":44932428759216,"sku":"d143cc","price":5200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (4 blocks)","offer_id":44932428791984,"sku":"d143cv","price":16600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d84_20_aeca8bf4-e85d-4600-bc5f-fff71d2f8e77.jpg?v=1737905400"},{"product_id":"d155","title":"Tang Li Shan Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2023","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Tang Li Shan(棠梨山) is the name of a mountain located on the northern slope of Dedang Town(德党镇), the administrative center of Yongde County(永德县). This ripe pu-erh tea is made from high-quality raw material with carefully controlled fermentation, producing an exceptionally long aftertaste. It stands out in both raw material selection and processing.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When people think of pu-erh tea, many imagine a dark brown liquor with notes reminiscent of dried mushrooms or dried fruit. This image generally refers to ripe pu-erh tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw pu-erh tea, by contrast, is produced without microbial fermentation during processing. It is delicate and fresh in character, often compared to a young white wine. Because it has no bitterness or astringency, it is enjoyed even by children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"display: block; padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    Differences Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe pu-erh tea has a naturally sweet fragrance.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe pu-erh tea because they say it smells like old furniture, rotten wood, or mold. Flavors that evoke mold are referred to as Zhang Xiang in Chinese and are primarily caused by the use of smoky raw material. In recent years, particularly in Southeast Asia, ripe pu-erh tea with Zhang Xiang has become expensive, and intentionally smoked raw pu-erh tea has sometimes been used as material for ripe pu-erh tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        A good-quality tea delivers a distinct impact when you drink it. We conduct extensive tastings to ensure we offer only teas of reliable quality.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n        About Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n        \u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tang Li Shan, the Symbolic Mountain of Dedang Town\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Li Shan is located to the north of Dedang Town, the central urban area of Yongde County. Gentle slopes extend up to an elevation of approximately 2000m. This mountain is symbolic to Yongde Town itself. Because access to this area is relatively easy, both fertilized tea gardens and naturally cultivated tea gardens coexist. As one moves further north along Tang Li Shan, the distance from the town increases, elevations rise, and the tea trees tend to be older, resulting in a higher concentration of tea gardens with favorable growing conditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea trees growing in a mountain garden\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1175.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Slopes of Tang Li Shan spreading across northern Dedang Town\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea trees with white-flowered plants growing beneath\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1126.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Li Shan also benefits from ample sunlight, and teas produced here tend to be clean and relatively refined in character. Because of its popularity, tea from this mountain is highly priced even locally, and it is rarely processed into ripe pu-erh tea. In recent years, however, the downturn in the Chinese economy has affected the ripe pu-erh market, lowering overall market prices. As a result, it became possible for the producer to source this fine tea material at a more reasonable cost than usual.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Blue three-wheeled vehicle on a dirt road by tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1075.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Longest Aftertaste Among Our Ripe Pu-erh Selections\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Li Shan Gushu Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2023(棠梨山古树熟茶2023) is characterized by its long aftertaste and surpasses even the previously popular Guogan Gushu Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2016(果敢古树熟茶2016), which is now sold out. From a professional perspective, the fermentation has been carried out appropriately, with no sourness emerging even as the tea cools, allowing a clean and pleasant sweetness to remain. The tea was first stored in loose form under aerobic conditions and aged for one year before being compressed into its final shape. With further aging under oxygen-free conditions over the coming years, the fragrance is expected to become more pronounced and the sweetness more layered.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Front surface of a dark compressed tea cake\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5341.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Specialized Sourcing Focused on Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman with a shoulder bag plucking leaves from a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have visited Yunnan Province every spring since 2010. Through long-term stays and repeated visits, we have built strong relationships with many well-known tea producing areas. However, our priority is not regional fame, but teas that show clarity and a long aftertaste. For this reason, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting unfertilized tea gardens at higher elevations with older tea trees, and source them through our own independent logistics channels. For more details, please refer to the page below.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    Our Approach to Tea Selection Focused on Aftertaste Rather Than Famous Origins \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, countless producers create teas labeled with famous origin names while using raw material sourced from elsewhere. These products are found everywhere, from airports to convenience stores and supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates the situation further is the paradox that some imitation products made with tea from remote areas are actually of higher quality than the originals. This phenomenon is particularly common with pu-erh tea from the Lincang region(临沧) and is widely known among professionals involved in local sourcing. For further explanation, please see the page below.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    The Reality of Famous Origin Teas in China\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Pu-erh tea includes several long-established famous brands. One reason these brands are highly regarded is that teas produced before 1980 receive especially high evaluations.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many assume that long-term aging alone is the reason these old teas are special. In reality, the key factor is that the raw leaves used at the time were naturally grown, unfertilized, and of very high quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, aging modern tea for a long period does not necessarily lead to the same quality. For further details, please refer to the page below.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    Are Famous Brands Truly High Quality\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932427874480,"sku":"d155ca","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932427907248,"sku":"d155cc","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932427940016,"sku":"d155cv","price":28100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5356.jpg?v=1737905363"},{"product_id":"d150","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild Tea 2023","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n    Why Wild Tea Tastes Exceptional\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea refers to tea that grows naturally in the mountains, rather than being cultivated through human agricultural practices.\n    We source wild Camellia taliensis tea from the Da Xue Shan region of Lincang, where it grows naturally.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When people hear the term \"wild tea,\" they may associate it with a rough and untamed image, imagining it to be bitter or astringent, much like the impression of wild animals.\n    However, wild means natural. Think of wild mushrooms, wild seafood, or mountain vegetables — wild ingredients are known for their exceptional flavor.\n    Wild foods share common traits: a deep, lingering aftertaste, a clean and refreshing quality, and a strong natural flavor.\n    Wild tea harvested in early spring embodies these characteristics, resembling mountain vegetables in its purity.\n    The wild tea we offer is free of bitterness or astringency, delivering a clear yet rich infusion. Its high mineral content provides a sensation that spreads throughout the body, leaving a profound and satisfying experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Round tea cakes lined up on a wooden rack\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10040\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2395-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Genuine Wild Tea, Rare Even in Yunnan\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Da Xue Shan Wild Tea is a raw Pu-erh tea made from wild Camellia taliensis. In Yunnan, Camellia taliensis is commonly referred to as \"wild tea.\" However, the term \"wild tea\" is often used regardless of whether the tea is truly wild or cultivated, making it impossible to determine authenticity based on the name alone. In recent years, as the popularity of wild tea has grown, more farmers have started cultivating Camellia taliensis, and plantations can now be found across various regions. These cultivated teas are also marketed as wild tea. Amid such trends, we remain dedicated to sourcing only genuine wild tea with uncompromising standards.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Specialized Skill Required for Cake Tea Processing\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We source mao-cha from raw Pu-erh tea producers and bring it to specialists who handle cake tea processing. While many people can produce mao-cha and process it into cake tea, years of experience with Pu-erh and white tea have shown us that the processing of mao-cha into cake tea significantly impacts the tea's quality. Critical factors include the type of metal used, the temperature and duration of steaming, and the drying method.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Worker weighing tea leaves in a metal cylinder on a scale\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10039\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1946.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Worker standing at a tea pressing machine\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10043\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1972.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Between 2017 and 2019, we experimented with various companies recommended by our partners and friends. Eventually, we found our current processor, who specializes exclusively in cake tea production with a small, skilled team. Their expertise has become indispensable to us, and we cannot imagine cake tea processing without their craftsmanship.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Cloth-wrapped tea cakes arranged on wooden racks\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10041\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1983.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Da Xue Shan Wild Raw Pu-erh Tea 2023 Cake\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The 2023 Da Xue Shan Wild Raw Pu-erh Tea has been aged for one year in an oxygen-free environment in our Malaysian warehouse. Through this aging process, it has developed a sweet flavor reminiscent of dried grapes, sweet potatoes, and chestnuts, making it an excellent choice for the colder months.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hand holding a wrapped 2023 Da Xue Shan wild tea cake\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10044\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5274-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Front surface of a round compressed tea cake\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10045\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5283.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Back of a round compressed tea cake with a center dent\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10046\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5286.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932427776176,"sku":"d150ca","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932427808944,"sku":"d150cc","price":12400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932427841712,"sku":"d150cv","price":49700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5274-1_0b9851dc-9785-48ee-ac3a-b38b85608e9b.jpg?v=1737905361"},{"product_id":"d156","title":"Mang Fei Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2023","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\n            Mang Fei is a place name transliterated from an ethnic minority language rather than originating from standard Chinese pronunciation. The pronunciation \"Mang Fei\" preserves its indigenous phonetic characteristics.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\n            Mang Fei is situated in the western part of Yongde County, Lincang, Yunnan Province, approximately 15–20 km from the county center. During the rainy season, the roads become muddy, making access more difficult.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\n            The landscape is mountainous, with elevations ranging from approximately 1,800–2,100 meters. The terrain is steep, with villages scattered along valleys and slopes. The soil is primarily red clay, with some areas featuring exposed rock formations.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\n            Tea cultivation has been an integral part of Mang Fei for centuries. The region consists mainly of small-scale tea gardens rather than large plantations.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many associate Pu-erh tea with dark-colored liquor and earthy flavors reminiscent of dried mushrooms and aged fruit, but that applies only to ripe Pu-erh.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Raw Pu-erh, in contrast, undergoes no microbial fermentation during production. It has a fresh, delicate profile comparable to white wine and is free from bitterness or astringency, making it enjoyable even for children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" style=\"display: block; padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Differences \u0026gt; \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe Pu-erh has a sweet flavor.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe Pu-erh because they associate it with musty or moldy flavors. However, properly processed ripe Pu-erh made from high-quality raw material carries a pleasant, dried fruit-like sweetness. Any unpleasant odor is likely due to poor-quality raw Pu-erh or issues during microbial fermentation.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e About Ripe Pu-erh \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        The Soil of Mang Fei Produces Full-bodied Tea, Vegetables, and Fruits\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Mang Fei is one of the most well-known tea-growing regions in Yongde County, largely due to its distinctive soil composition.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Yunnan's geological history reveals that the land was once submerged beneath the sea before being uplifted through tectonic activity. The collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates played a major role in forming the region's mountainous landscape, including the steep terrain of Lincang, where Mang Fei is located.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        As a result, limestone formations are commonly found throughout Yongde County. Land that was once under the sea often contains alkaline minerals such as calcium, potassium, and sodium, which contribute to a full-bodied taste in agricultural products. This characteristic extends to Mang Fei's tea, vegetables, and fruits.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Many famous Pu-erh tea-producing regions share this full-bodied character, including Lao Ban Zhang, Xi Gui, and Ma An Shan. Mang Fei tea is highly sought after due to its rich body, intense flavor, and lingering aftertaste. Mang Fei Ripe Pu-erh embodies these qualities with its deeply satisfying, full-bodied profile.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Rare Naturally Grown Tea from a Famous Production Region\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Due to high demand, many tea farmers in Mang Fei apply fertilizers to increase yield. However, fertilized tea trees grow rapidly, resulting in low cell density and a thinner, shorter aftertaste. While some advocate the use of animal manure as an eco-friendly alternative, it remains a nitrogen source and can similarly lead to quality degradation. While Mang Fei teas are generally full-bodied, many lack depth and lingering complexity. The 2023 Mang Fei Gushu Ripe Pu-erh, however, comes from a naturally cultivated tea garden, free from pesticides and fertilizers, yielding an exceptionally long aftertaste rarely found in tea from well-known regions.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e\n        Rare Small-batch Ripe Pu-erh Production\n    \u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Most ripe Pu-erh is produced in large batches, often around 10 tons per lot, as producers rely on high volumes for profitability. The 2023 Mang Fei Gushu Ripe Pu-erh, however, was produced in a small batch of just over 1 ton due to the rarity and high cost of the raw material. Small-batch production ensures ideal processing conditions for pan-frying and sun-drying, resulting in a well-crafted tea with minimal imperfections. Although this tea is from the 2023 vintage and has had only a short aging period, high-quality ripe Pu-erh is enjoyable even when fresh. The purity of the raw material allows for a smooth, clean taste with natural sweetness. For those looking to enhance its flavor further, aging it in an airtight environment for several years is recommended.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\na:hover {\n    background-color: #333;\n    color: #f0f0e0;\n    box-shadow: 0 12px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);\n    transform: translateY(-5px);\n    text-decoration: none;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932427677872,"sku":"d156ca","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932427710640,"sku":"d156cc","price":10300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932427743408,"sku":"d156cv","price":41000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7177.jpg?v=1738306239"},{"product_id":"d166","title":"Hou Di Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025 Loose","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea is made from spring tea grown in western Lincang, at a high altitude of 2000–2100m.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea has a very deep finish with a smooth mouthfeel. It has a sweet, grassy note with a honey-like flavor, and a hint of fruitiness that lingers on the palate.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Jia means \"Tang Family\" in Chinese, named after the family that owns the tea garden. Tang Jia tea garden is an ancient tea garden with a vast number of large tea trees, yet nobody had plucked tea there until 2018. The garden had been left unattended for nearly 30 years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Ancient Tea Garden Left Unattended for 30 Years\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Long ago, the Tang family made their living from tea. However, ever since the current Mr. Tang took over the family business, he shifted to goat and cattle grazing. In Yunnan, cattle and goats raised on wild grass in high mountain areas are in very high demand. Even cattle raised in enclosures in high mountain villages are popular, fetching prices as high as RMB 10,000. Naturally, free-range cattle are much more expensive. As a result, the livestock grazing business is very popular among villagers. We have noticed that quite a number of tea garden owners have abandoned their gardens to take up livestock grazing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Person herding cattle and goats along a dirt path\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3084.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Initially, Mr. Tang expected his wife to manage the tea farming while he focused on grazing. However, his wife was unwilling to work in the tea garden, as they already had sufficient income. Eventually, the tea gardens were left unattended for many years. A few years ago, Mr. Tang and his wife divorced.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"People walking with cattle up a rocky red-soil slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8771.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Here, we are trying to touch one of the baby goats. Mr. Tang is now about 50 years old and has remarried. His new wife came to Yunnan from Guo Gan, Myanmar, as a refugee. Guo Gan is only about 50km from the Yunnan border and had been in a civil war for quite some time—a conflict between ethnic minority groups and government forces. Due to the conflict, many villagers fled to Yunnan as refugees. In Zhenkang County, which directly borders Myanmar, we often encounter them. Nowadays, it is quite common for villagers in Lincang to marry women from Myanmar.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Smiling woman in a striped top standing among tea bushes\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0111.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To everyone's surprise, Mr. Tang's new wife (shown above) turned out to be extremely hardworking. She willingly went to the tea garden and cleared the undergrowth by hand. Before the other villagers had noticed, she had revived Tang Jia tea garden within half a year. Because she worked so effectively, she became well known among the neighbors. Nowadays, neighbors often call Tang Jia tea garden \"the Myanmar wife's tea garden.\" She started plucking tea in 2018. However, there were many people interested in the teas from her garden. Since it had been left unattended for 30 years, everyone knew her tea would be exceptional. Due to its high popularity, we only managed to purchase a very small quantity in 2018 and introduced it in Malaysia. In 2019, we decided to rent her garden to secure quality raw material for our tea. Our tea producer happens to be a relative of the Tang family. So, we approached them through our producer and succeeded in renting Tang Jia garden. Sadly, they only agreed to a one-year contract. Following local customs, anyone who rents a garden pays a lump sum for the full year's rental. In addition, tea pluckers are paid according to the market rate. Essentially, the rental fee provides extra income for the tea garden owner.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hillside tea garden covered in bright green tea bushes\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2838-2.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    Tang Jia tea garden after the Myanmar wife began caring for it.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Old tea tree with thick moss-covered branches\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3685.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    Ancient Tea Trees in Tang Jia Garden\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    How the Compression Process Affects Quality\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    From experience, we have learned that the compression process greatly affects the quality of tea. We put a great deal of effort into managing this process. After the tea is processed into mao cha (loose tea), we immediately bring it down from the mountain and send it to a tea compression factory in town. Through years of experience, we have learned the critical control points in tea compression. We now have a thorough understanding of every detail we need to manage, including steaming, compression, drying, and even the material of the mold. Weather is a critical factor in drying tea cakes. We pay close attention to weather conditions and never proceed with compression in poor weather. We only work with small-scale producers so that they can carefully attend to our requirements and fulfill them. We believe we can produce a very ideal cake, not only in shape but also in flavor and taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Round tea cakes lined up on wooden shelves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3794.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Very Long-Lasting Aftertaste That May Leave You Tea Drunk\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tang Jia raw pu-erh tea is medium-bodied with a very long-lasting aftertaste. For now, since the tea is still relatively fresh, the flavor tends to be milder. It gives a sweet note reminiscent of sweet rice cake or fresh sugarcane. This tea contains an outstandingly high level of polyphenols, thanks to the ancient tea trees, absence of fertilizers, and high altitude. Based on our experience, tea with high polyphenol content ages well and quickly. It will develop a fruity, sweet honey flavor in a few years. We have kept a small amount of the Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh tea from our 2018 production. It has aged very well and now gives the flavor of fresh honey. In addition to the Tang Jia Raw Pu-erh, we also made two small batches of tea from three ancient trees in Tang Jia tea garden, called \"Triple Trees Raw Pu-erh,\" available only in Malaysia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman with a shoulder bag plucking leaves from a tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations, using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it's due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932427219120,"sku":"d166cc","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932427251888,"sku":"d166cb","price":7100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (50g x 20 bags)","offer_id":44932427284656,"sku":"d166cv","price":31100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9452.jpg?v=1766825189"},{"product_id":"d163","title":"Dong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2024","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Front surface of a round compressed tea cake\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10264\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9789-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"129\"\u003eThis compressed tea cake is made from exactly the same batch of raw material, sourced and processed with the same quality.\nWhen Dong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is freshly compressed into cakes, it has a more subtle flavour compared to the loose version made from the same material. However, after allowing it to rest and mature for about a year, the flavour has now developed, becoming richer, smoother, and more expressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\nIn 2025, we continued working with the same producer and made tea together on site.\n\u003ch2\u003eNear the Myanmar Border – A Hidden Land of Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\nDong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is produced in Zhenkang County, located in the Lincang region of Yunnan Province, China.\nZhenkang sits right along the border with Myanmar, and from the remote tea gardens of Dong Shan, you can even catch a glimpse of the Myanmar mountains in the distance. The surrounding air is crisp and carries the distinct feel of the untouched border highlands.\nBecause this area is far from major cities like Kunming and still lacks modern infrastructure, it remains relatively inaccessible—which is why many tea lovers consider it one of Yunnan’s lesser-known, yet truly special tea regions.\nDespite its remote location, Dong Shan is home to high-quality tea trees, and the natural environment here—untouched forests, rich biodiversity, and high elevation—creates ideal conditions for growing premium raw Pu-erh tea.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Large hams hanging from wooden beams\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10266\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2726-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\nMost of the ingredients at the producer’s factory were homegrown and used in everyday cooking. The photos show Yunnan ham and a few of the dishes made with these ingredients.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Red fruits growing on a leafy branch\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10270\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2737.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"White plate of sliced cured meat\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10267\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2748.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"White bowl of soup with meat and vegetables\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10268\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2751.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\nMany ethnic minority groups live in the mountainous regions of Yunnan, and the tea from Dong Shan is processed by the Yi ethnic group, one of the largest indigenous communities in this area.\nInterestingly, genetic research based on mitochondrial DNA has suggested that the Yi people may share ancestral links with the Jomon people—an ancient population that lived in Japan for thousands of years, long before the arrival of migrants from the Korean Peninsula.\n\u003ch2\u003eNot Just Buying Tea — Creating the Ideal Tea Together with the Producer\u003c\/h2\u003e\nIn the traditional tea trade, buyers often purchase from producers or wholesalers after the tea has already been made. In many cases, they place orders remotely and choose from teas that have already been blended and finished. This means they can only select from what is available, with limited opportunity to influence how the tea is crafted. As a result, the final product largely reflects the producer’s decisions, methods, and skills.\nBut we take a different approach.\nInstead of choosing from finished teas, we have detailed discussions with producers before the season begins, focusing on the raw materials, timing of the harvest, and production parameters. We ensure that every step, from plucking to processing, is aligned with our requirements to meet the desired outcome.\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Do We Go to This Extent?\u003c\/h2\u003e\nBecause to us, tea is not just a product to buy and sell — it’s a craft, and every detail matters.\nWe choose this path because it gives us full control over quality, from tea trees selection to final processing. The tea reflects our vision and standards, not just what's convenient to produce. Most importantly, it allows us to offer our customers something truly unique—not just what’s available, but what is purposefully created with care and intention.\nThis level of commitment may be more challenging, but it’s the only way to consistently bring in teas that are of expressive quality.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Dry tea leaves in a white gaiwan\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10265\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2745.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\nFor the 2024 harvest, the first batch we received had a slight issue — the temperature during the final stage of pan-frying was too high, which caused a burnt note commonly referred to as \"gao xiang\" (meaning \"high aroma\").\nHowever, we were aiming for a cleaner, more floral flavour profile, so we immediately communicated this to the producer. After discussing and reaching a shared understanding, the producer remade the tea with the necessary adjustments—and the result matched what we had desired.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Back of a compressed tea cake with a center dent\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10263\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9785.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Gentle Flavour True to Naturally Grown High Mountain Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\nDong Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea is made from tea trees that are grown completely without pesticides or fertilisers. These trees are left to grow naturally, much like wild forest trees, and the tea garden itself is truly sustainable. Even if no one were to manage it, the landscape would likely remain the same even a hundred years from now.\nBecause the garden is located at high elevation, the tea trees grow very slowly. This slow growth results in a tea with a long, lingering finish and a deep, satisfying aftertaste.\nAfter resting for a year, the tea develops a gentle floral flavour, along with light hints of citrus and grape.\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45567874957488,"sku":"d163ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45567874990256,"sku":"d163cc","price":5900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45567875023024,"sku":"d163cv","price":23800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9789-1_f58e0b4b-8ac8-445d-996f-896682068d1c.jpg?v=1788880234"},{"product_id":"d169","title":"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter pausing purchases in 2019, we have released Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh for the first time in six years. Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh is a limited tea that Mr. Liu, whom we have worked with since 2014, processed himself from leaves harvested in his own tea garden. Mr. Liu has long been very interested in Ye Fang tea, a form of natural farming in which the trees are left entirely to nature with no human intervention, and in the gardens he owns he has left the tea trees strictly alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9643_bcacd5fd-2c84-4015-bccb-d1cf36d02990.jpg\" alt=\"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eHalf of the Blend Is Single Tree Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil 2019, we mainly bought Mr. Liu's standard tea, plucked from several trees in the same garden, so we were able to offer it at a relatively modest price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2025, however, total production was very small, so we blended the regular raw Pu-erh tea from Mr. Liu’s garden with single-tree raw Pu-erh tea from the same garden. Single-tree tea makes up 50% of the blend, so our purchase price is higher than before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Liu pan-frying the tea \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2263_02589c6b-78e2-495e-b599-b880e239856f.jpg\" alt=\"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eWhat Is Ye Fang Tea?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrictly speaking, Ye Fang tea does not come from wild tea trees, but from trees originally planted by people and later left to grow naturally without human care. The term refers to groups of these naturalized trees. With no pruning or management, the tea gardens become overgrown with other plants and are home to many insects, including leafhoppers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this environment, tea trees grow naturally as trees. Unlike those in conventional tea gardens, where pruning is standard practice, they develop an upright trunk and grow upward into their natural shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Liu seen from behind in his tea garden, where a dense mix of plants grows like a thicket. \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2197_8ea41099-114d-416f-a2be-447a9fb67313.jpg\" alt=\"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeft: leaves from a fertilized tea tree. Right: tea grown without fertilizer. Fertilizer makes the internodes (the length of stem between leaves) longer. \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2180_b24d0fba-8ad2-42de-a1a4-2795e0e8bac6.jpg\" alt=\"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eA Taste as Clear as an Autumn Sky\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Liu is committed to Ye Fang tea, and we are drawn to it, because its taste is special. Tea trees that grow within the cycle of nature as part of the ecosystem contain very little nitrogen and grow slowly over time. As a result, they are rich in polyphenols, and the taste has a clarity that gives a very clean impression, like a clear autumn sky. With aging, a faint grape-like flavor also rises, which is another characteristic of Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9635_03e13919-2c8c-4338-a74d-fea9ad4fcf60.jpg\" alt=\"Liu Jia Raw Pu-erh Tea 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45567903498416,"sku":"d169ca","price":2300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45567903531184,"sku":"d169cc","price":8600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45567903563952,"sku":"d169cv","price":34600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9643_bcacd5fd-2c84-4015-bccb-d1cf36d02990.jpg?v=1788883153"},{"product_id":"d37","title":"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013","description":"\u003cp\u003eMu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013 is made from leaves plucked on Tang Li Shan in Yong De County, Lincang, Yunnan Province. Mu Yi is the informal name the producer uses for the area where the Tang Li Shan tea gardens are located. After purchasing the tea, we stored and aged it in our warehouse under oxygen-free conditions for approximately 12 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9758_298c8784-d11c-45ce-95f2-b26906f8da8b.jpg\" alt=\"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eTang Li Shan, the Symbol of Yong De\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTang Li Shan is a prominent mountain rising behind De Dang Town, the administrative center of Yong De County. The town developed along the slopes extending from the mountain. For local residents, Tang Li Shan is both a familiar landmark and, quite literally, the mountain in their backyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper part of the town sits at around 1,600 m above sea level, with tea gardens at 1,800 to 1,900 m just a short walk away. This makes exploring the tea gardens feel like a hike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe southeast-facing slopes of Tang Li Shan receive abundant sunlight from sunrise through the afternoon. As a result, the tea develops a distinct flavor and a clean taste, characteristic of tea grown in sunny gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1175_5a0ad63a-6e4d-4b80-a57c-ee4e266f7454.jpg\" alt=\"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1092-1_9f0fc433-f5dc-47c3-bd36-613cd3bca92d.jpg\" alt=\"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1126_2593e55d-16a6-4fde-8029-44a770216ad4.jpg\" alt=\"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eHow Pan-Frying Shapes the Flavor\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees, their age and the altitude all play an important role in shaping the character of Pu-erh tea, but the pan frying method has a major influence too. How the producer understands and carries out this process directly affects the tea’s taste and flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe purchased this tea from ethnic minority farmers who prefer to keep the temperature slightly higher during the latter half of pan frying. This allows the heat to penetrate the leaves thoroughly, giving the tea a toasty flavor reminiscent of roasting. Tea processed at high temperatures also contains compounds that contribute a subtle grape flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXian Su Shan, Xiu Lin Wu Hao, Huang Wu Lin, Gan Quan Ling and Myanmar Bai Ya Raw Pu-erh share the similar flavor profile. We recommend this tea to those who like Raw Pu-erh with a toasty flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a cleaner taste and flavor, rinse the leaves twice with boiling water before brewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eSweet Dried Fruit Flavor from a Decade of Aging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe purchased this tea from ethnic minority farmers who prefer to keep the temperature slightly higher during the latter half of pan frying. This allows the heat to penetrate the leaves thoroughly, giving the tea a toasty flavor reminiscent of roasting. Tea processed at high temperatures also contains compounds that contribute a subtle grape flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9749-1_1c3c5d85-1075-476c-a100-c3d9c2840ed6.jpg\" alt=\"Mu Yi Raw Pu-erh Tea 2013\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note that the edges of Mu Yi tea cakes may be slightly loose, with some leaves beginning to separate from the cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45567904022704,"sku":"d37ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":45567904055472,"sku":"d37cc","price":13000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45567904088240,"sku":"d37cv","price":31100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9758_298c8784-d11c-45ce-95f2-b26906f8da8b.jpg?v=1788883157"},{"product_id":"d170","title":"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eHigh Mountain Purple Tea is the name for tea made from tea trees with purple traits growing on high-altitude tea mountains in the Lincang area of Yunnan Province. Locally it has long been called purple tea, and some of the older trees appear to be several hundred years old. It is clearly a different lineage from cultivars selected and bred in recent years, such as Zi Juan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9738.jpg\" alt=\"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eWhere Purple Tea Grows and Why It Is Rare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe purple tea found in the high-altitude areas of Lincang is a different lineage from Zi Juan, which was discovered in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, in 1985 and developed by selective breeding. It is also different from the tea with purple buds generally called Zi Ya in Yunnan. The type of purple tea we offer has a very limited distribution, concentrated in parts of Yong De and Zhenkang counties in southwestern Lincang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple tea has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and some farmers in areas such as Zhenkang County have begun cultivating it. However, these trees are all young. High Mountain Purple Tea from trees over 100 years old is therefore so rare that it is almost legendary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe producer's son climbing an old purple tea tree \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3838-1.jpg\" alt=\"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003ePurple Tea Trees and Their Leaves\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leaves often look much like ordinary tea leaves, although parts of the branches, stems and leaf stalks may show some purple coloration. This trait is not present in every tree and varies from tree to tree, even within the same area or tea garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter processing, the dried leaves take on a dark purple or indigo tint. As a raw material, the leaves hold a lot of moisture and tend to get sticky during rolling, so they behave differently from ordinary tea leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2590-1.jpg\" alt=\"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eThe Flavor of Purple Tea and Why It Is Hard to Process\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most distinctive feature of purple tea is its flavor. During processing, a clear and unique aroma reminiscent of perilla leaves rises, clearly different from ordinary tea leaves. This aroma depends strongly on the nature of the fresh leaves themselves and does not come from processing alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, this flavor is easily lost if temperatures are not properly controlled during processing. In particular, high temperatures during pan frying eliminate the perilla and fruit notes, leaving the tea with a character very different from that of purple tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen processed as raw Pu-erh tea and aged under suitable conditions, High Mountain Purple Tea develops a sweet, peach-like flavor, allowing you to enjoy the changes that come with aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9745.jpg\" alt=\"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3573-3.jpg\" alt=\"High Mountain Purple Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025\" width=\"630\" height=\"472\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45567916081328,"sku":"d170ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45567916114096,"sku":"d170cc","price":7300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45567916146864,"sku":"d170cv","price":29400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9738.jpg?v=1771308731"},{"product_id":"d153","title":"Wild Spring Bud 2016 Malaysia Aged","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy wild tea is delicious\u003c\/h2\u003e\nWild tea tree is not the tree planted by human, but it is the tea tree grown naturally in the mountains. It is a particular type of tea called Camellia Taliensis.\nSome people may think that the taste of wild tea is not easy to accept. Because the word \"wild\" is often associated with roughness, bitterness, astringency, etc.\nBut if you think carefully, wild food always gives excellent taste, just like wild mushrooms, wild herbs, wild fish, wild shellfish, wild vegetables, and other wild ingredients are overwhelmingly delicious. What wild food have in common is that its taste is very clean yet complex, and the aftertaste is very strong. When you drink wild tea, the taste is rather sweet and flavour stay on our palate for a long time.\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45568073760944,"sku":"d153ca","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45568073793712,"sku":"d153cc","price":11300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45568073826480,"sku":"d153cv","price":45400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/d74_01_f012f609-9363-4597-aed5-a00b9e6345a5.jpg?v=1788887629"},{"product_id":"d177","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild Tea Loose 2026","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Dried dark wild tea leaves in a pile on a white background\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10635\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3932.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDa Xue Shan Wild Raw Pu-erh Tea 2026 – An Exceptionally Aromatic Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\nCompared with recent years, the 2026 harvest has good flavor.\nThis year's tea is relatively more fragrant, with a pronounced sweet grape-like flavor.\nFreshly produced wild tea also has a pronounced mineral character, with a rich taste and a distinct iron-like aftertaste. If stored unopened for several months, the tea undergoes its initial stage of aging. During this period, the sweet fruity flavor becomes more pronounced, while the iron-like impression gradually recedes, resulting in a more refined and floral flavor.\nWhen kept unopened (under oxygen-free conditions) for more than three years, the tea develops flavors reminiscent of raisins together with a honey-like sweetness, developing a floral and complex fruity flavor. It is delicious when enjoyed immediately after production, but it is equally rewarding to age it and allow the flavor to develop according to your own preference.\nPlease note that the aging speed is closely related to the storage temperature. The warmer the storage environment, the faster the tea matures.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Dry dark tea leaves in a white bowl seen from above\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10634\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3941.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Wet tea leaves with reddish edges in a white bowl\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10633\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3950-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCultivated Camellia taliensis Sold as \"Wild Tea\"\u003c\/h2\u003e\nStrictly speaking, wild tea refers to tea made from tea trees that grow naturally in the mountains, rather than from cultivated tea gardens.\nIn Yunnan, however, the term \"wild tea\" is commonly used in a different way. Locally, all Camellia taliensis is referred to as \"wild tea,\" regardless of whether it grows naturally in the mountains or is cultivated in tea gardens. As a result, the term \"wild tea\" is often used simply to indicate the species Camellia taliensis, rather than whether the tea is genuinely wild.\nThis is similar to the term \"wild rice.\" Although much of today's wild rice is cultivated, it continues to be called \"wild rice\" because the name refers to the species rather than whether it was harvested from a natural wild habitat.\nAs the popularity of wild tea has increased, Camellia taliensis has been widely planted in many parts of Yunnan. Today, cultivated Camellia taliensis is also marketed locally as \"wild tea,\" without being distinguished from naturally growing trees. Consequently, most teas sold as \"wild tea\" on the market are, in fact, cultivated Camellia taliensis from tea gardens.\nThe situation is further complicated by the supply chain. Most wild tea passes through multiple intermediaries before reaching the market. Unless the raw material has been personally inspected at its place of origin, distinguishing naturally growing wild tea from cultivated Camellia taliensis is extremely difficult. As a result, many vendors themselves genuinely believe they are selling authentic wild tea.\nWe distinguish our products from this local naming convention. We sell only naturally growing Camellia taliensis collected from the mountains as wild tea. We personally visit the producing areas and verify the growing environment and harvesting locations before selecting the raw material. Compared with cultivated Camellia taliensis, genuine wild tea possesses a noticeably longer aftertaste and a much clearer mouthfeel.\n\u003cimg alt=\"A person with a red basket climbing a tree in a forest\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10636\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1594-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExcellent for Cold Brewing\u003c\/h2\u003e\nPu-erh tea is most commonly brewed with hot water.\nHowever, raw Pu-erh tea is also well suited to cold brewing.\nWild raw Pu-erh made from Camellia taliensis is particularly well suited to cold brewing because of its intense flavor and distinctive grape-like fruity character.\nPersonally, I prefer tea brewed with boiling water even during the hottest days. Even so, whenever I have a bottle of cold-brewed tea in the refrigerator, I find myself drinking it one glass after another.\nIts rich taste, intense flavor, and very low bitterness allow it to produce excellent results even if the brewing conditions are not precise. Feel free to experiment with different brewing methods and discover your preferred style.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Pale golden tea in a white cup\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10632\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3961.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more on how raw Pu-erh is made, aged, and stored, see \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\"\u003eWhat Is Raw Pu-erh Tea?\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":45618957287600,"sku":"d177ca","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":45618957320368,"sku":"d177cc","price":13900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":45618957353136,"sku":"d177cv","price":34200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3932.jpg?v=1787819138"},{"product_id":"d175","title":"Guo Gan Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Loose 2023","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe Pu-erh tea is never moldy.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe tea because it smells like \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold,\" but moldy aromas indicate poor quality tea with fermentation issues. High-quality tea should evoke a certain level of emotion when tasted. HOJO conducts extensive tasting to ensure we introduce only the best quality teas.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2023 Guo Gan Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh\u003c\/h2\u003e\nThis tea is made from material harvested in Guo Gan in 2023, transported to Yunnan in 2024, and fermented there.\nIt comes from a different producer from the 2019 tea, and presents a distinct flavour profile.\nWhile it still carries the bold, full body typical of Guo Gan tea, the flavour leans towards aromatic woods, such as agarwood, with top notes of pine and black jujube.\n\u003cimg alt=\"A woman holding a handful of freshly plucked tea leaves\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10588\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0914-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy Loose Leaf?\u003c\/h2\u003e\nRipe pu-erh goes through deep microbial fermentation, so many people assume that loose leaf and compressed tea cakes do not differ much in flavour. In reality, this is not the case at all. We source our tea as loose leaf and then have it compressed by trusted craftsmen, which allows us to compare both forms directly. The difference is very clear, both in flavour and aroma.\nHere is why.\nRaw pu-erh is processed through withering, followed by pan-firing at relatively low temperature, then rolling and sun drying. Because most of the original leaf constituents remain intact, the leaves retain natural stickiness, and only a small amount of steam is needed before compression. In other words, the steaming process for raw pu-erh is relatively light and controlled.\nRipe pu-erh is different. During microbial fermentation, many of the leaf constituents are broken down, and the leaves lose their stickiness and become drier. Because of this, much more steam is required during compression, and the leaves absorb a significant amount of moisture. If we attempt to dry them naturally under shade, quality may decline before they are fully dry, so in practice, hot air drying is used.\nHowever, this drying method affects the tea. Compared to loose leaf, both flavour and aroma change after compression. Tea cakes do develop their own character, but it usually takes at least one year of storage for those qualities to settle and show.\nLoose leaf, on the other hand, offers something that tea cakes do not. The mouthfeel is softer, the flavour is more layered, and there is a certain clarity that exists only before compression.\n\u003ch2\u003eMyanmar Guo Gan Ripe Pu-erh\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"A mountain village with houses along a dirt path\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10592\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4952-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Children gathering in a village street with houses behind\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10590\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5053-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nGuo Gan is an autonomous region in northern Shan State, Myanmar, bordering Zhenkang County in Lincang, Yunnan. Most of the population is of Han Chinese origin, and their daily language is a Yunnan dialect of Chinese. The Chinese yuan is widely used, and Chinese-style writing, education, and cultural practices are still very much part of everyday life. In many ways, it functions as a Chinese cultural enclave within Myanmar, with strong and lasting Chinese influence.\nHistorically, this region was once part of China. Following an agreement in 1897, it was incorporated into British Burma and later became part of Myanmar. Even so, the local population has continued to maintain a strong Chinese cultural identity. From our conversations with local residents in Guo Gan, as well as people from Guo Gan working in Yunnan, many naturally see themselves as culturally Chinese.\n\u003ch2\u003eCharacter of Guo Gan Ripe Pu-erh\u003c\/h2\u003e\nThe defining character of Guo Gan ripe pu-erh is its dense and full-bodied mouthfeel. We believe this is closely related to the geology of the region. Northern Shan State, including Guo Gan, was once an ancient seabed, where layers of limestone formed from the Palaeozoic to the Mesozoic era and were later uplifted to become land. As a result, the soil in this region is rich in limestone and minerals such as calcium, and it belongs to the same geological belt as Yongde and Zhenkang in Lincang, Yunnan. This mineral-rich soil is likely one of the key factors behind the weight, depth, and distinctive texture of Guo Gan tea.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Two tea pluckers working among dense tea trees\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10594\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0580-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"A woman plucking tea leaves from a tree\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10591\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4954-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTea Production and Supply Chain\u003c\/h2\u003e\nGuo Gan is home to many ancient tea trees, similar to those found in Yunnan. Most of the harvest is initially processed into raw pu-erh. However, local demand for tea within Myanmar is limited, so much of this tea is transported overland into Yunnan via the border town of Nansan. From our experience, Guo Gan tea is rarely sold as raw pu-erh. Instead, it is more commonly used as a material for producing ripe pu-erh through microbiological fermentation.\n\u003ch2\u003eSupply Disruption\u003c\/h2\u003e\nAround 2015, intense armed conflict broke out between the Myanmar government and the Guo Gan autonomous region. The situation remained unstable for quite some time. During the COVID pandemic, the border at Nansan was closed, and logistics came to a complete stop. As a result, we were unable to source Guo Gan tea in recent years. In January 2024, a ceasefire agreement was reached, and the border was reopened. With this reopening, we saw an opportunity to source quality Guo Gan tea again in Yunnan, so this time we focused our search on areas near the Myanmar border and on producers with strong connections to Myanmar.\n\u003cimg alt=\"A large arched gate with a tricycle on the road\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10595\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0671-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more on how ripe Pu-erh is fermented, compressed, and aged, see \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"100g (in a bag)","offer_id":45618957418672,"sku":"d175ca","price":4100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g (100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":45618957451440,"sku":"d175cc","price":7900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (100g x 10 bags)","offer_id":45618957484208,"sku":"d175cv","price":32800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0914-1.jpg?v=1713921933"},{"product_id":"d09","title":"Wild Spring Bud 2015 Malaysia Aged","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7883.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4676\" title=\"IMG_7883\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7883.jpg\" alt=\"Sourcing wild spring buds in Yunnan Province\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\nThe first tea I have to search in Yunnan is Wild Spring Bud raw pu-erh tea. It is the tea made of wild tea spieces called camellia taliensis. It gives distinctive flavour that reminds me of green apples, grapes or the fresh young tree barks.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7891.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4675\" title=\"IMG_7891\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7891.jpg\" alt=\"Sourcing wild spring buds in Yunnan Province\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe earliest plucked tea is very precious\u003c\/h2\u003e\nFor us, it is very important to purchase the earliest-plucked tea. The flavour of tea may not be much different between the 1st and the 2nd plucked tea. However, the taste is distinctively different. The earliest plucked tea gives a creamy texture, smooth and silky mouth-feel and tea is very gentle and soft. The quality wild spring bud consists of various sizes and the bud is relatively bigger. It is because that the growing speed of the young buds on each wild tree or branch is not the same. Usually, the size becomes consistent when the same tea is plucked for the second time in the season.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_79022.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Yellow-green and brown tea leaves held in a hand\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4678\" title=\"IMG_7902\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_79022.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8125.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4673\" title=\"IMG_8125\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8125.jpg\" alt=\"Sourcing wild spring buds in Yunnan Province\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\nThe first flush of the Wild Spring Bud is usually collected in the middle of March, while by the end of March the 2nd plucked wild spring bud is available. I have been in Yunnan since 20th of March just because I wanted to make sure I am able to secure the earliest plucked tea.\n\u003ch2\u003eWe secured the wild spring bud with right quality\u003c\/h2\u003e\nToday we managed to purchase the ideal tea according to my desire. The tea is well-processed and it gives sweet distinctive flavour of wild tea. I am very satisfied with the result.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_81281.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4672\" title=\"IMG_8128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_81281.jpg\" alt=\"Sourcing wild spring buds in Yunnan Province\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigure style=\"margin:0 0 20px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8095.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Woman in a hat sorting tea leaves by hand on a bamboo tray\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4677\" title=\"IMG_8095\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8095.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003eSorting process\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962464944,"sku":"d09cz","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962497712,"sku":"d09ca","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45618962530480,"sku":"d09cc","price":11300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45618962563248,"sku":"d09cv","price":45400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7883.jpg?v=1713922152"},{"product_id":"d12","title":"Yan Ming Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea 2015","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYan Ming Shan Raw Pu-erh is harvested on the mountains around Zhenkang in western Lincang. It is made from naturally grown tea hand-plucked in March, before the Qingming Festival, and its distinctive point is that it uses only one bud and two leaves. Pu-erh is usually a mix of one bud with two or three leaves, so this is a somewhat unusual way of plucking for Pu-erh. Because it contains many new buds, the body is medium and the richness feels very strong. It drinks clear and clean, and after you drink it, a fresh citrus flavor and a sweet lingering aftertaste stay in the throat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it is made from completely naturally grown tea, it is very high in minerals, and drinking it warms the body. With minerals this concentrated, it can make you feel light and floaty, as a good wine does, and some people get tea drunk. It has no astringency or bitterness at all, so you can steep it long and drink it strong, or pour it off after a few seconds and enjoy a light taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea was processed very carefully, with no burnt smell or off-flavors at all. It is finished so well that some people mistake it for white tea or green tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is high in minerals and has plenty of natural sweetness, so it is also very popular with children. Unlike adults, children tend to prefer teas with a gentle flavor and a strong sweetness from the leaves themselves. This is not limited to this tea, but when we serve naturally grown Pu-erh, my own children and the children of customers who visit our shop enjoy it so much they can't stop drinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYan Ming Shan Raw Pu-erh is harvested from old trees several hundred years old and has a gentle flavor. Because of this, the sweet flavor that develops after several years of aging stands out, like a painting on a white canvas. Enjoying the flavor as it changes with age is one of the pleasures of this tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962596016,"sku":"d12ca","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":45618962628784,"sku":"d12cc","price":10600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45618962661552,"sku":"d12cv","price":25400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/d92_01.jpg?v=1737905728"},{"product_id":"d16c","title":"Lao Hei Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea 2011","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Yunnan, Pu-erh tea is produced in 3 major areas:\u0026nbsp;Xishuang Banna (西双版纳), Pu-erh (普洱) and Ling Cang (临沧). \u0026nbsp;Historically, the most famous place for Pu-erh tea is\u0026nbsp;Xishuang Banna.\u0026nbsp;There are a number of famous tea production areas in Xishuang Banna, such as Lao Ban Zhang (老班章), Bu Lang Shan (布朗山)and Yi Wu (易武). Due to its fame, teas from Xishuang Banna are highly priced in commercial tea market. \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eConversely, we wish to introduce high quality tea at more affordable price. To achieve this objective, every year we spend more time and effort in Yunnan especially in the South West to West Yunnan. We paid more attention to search for quality tea from less famous manufacturing area. The Lao Hei Zhai is from the village located in Ling Cang City.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch1\u003eThe trends that trivial village produces good quality tea\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    The more we stay in Yunnan to learn about tea, the more we understand that good tea exists in both Pu-erh and Ling Cang. In these places, many villages are located at remote area. Due to very limited access, many villages are not exposed to the commercial market. Because of the villages were less famous in the history, there were limited demand in the market and the farmers cannot sell their tea at higher price. Under the circumstances, farmer won’t pluck tea very often but only once a year in early spring. Besides, no pesticide or fertilizer is applied to the tea tree. Tea tree in these villages are kept just like the wild tree. As a result, tea leaves grow very slow and more mineral is accumulated. Because of rich in minerals, tea gives very deep aftertaste. You can tell the difference even if you drink the tea when you are pinching your nose.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, tea from famous production area has a higher demand in the market. To earn more income, farmer tends to increase the production quantity. Thus they have to apply fertilizer, trim branches to promote the growth of young branches for more production of tea leaves. This can enable them to pluck a few times throughout a year. Since tea tree has to generate more number of tea leaves, yet the supply of minerals from the root is limited, the taste of tea becomes lighter and less lasting in flavour.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch1\u003eVery old tea tree at 500 year's old\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    Many people might think that old tea tree only available in famous tea production area. In point of fact, old tea trees were also found in less famous places like Pu-erh and Ling Cang city. The tea plucked from the old tea tree has 2 advantages as follow:\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e1. Tea is very rich in minerals. Old tea tree has very long roots that grow deep under the ground and larger surface area. Thus it can supply tea leaves with more minerals.\u0026nbsp; \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e2. Tea trees prefer red soil that is rich in iron content. Many tea production areas have red soil. However, the red soil usually found at the lower layer underground and it is unreachable by young tea tree since the root is still very short. The old tea tree could effectively absorb the iron that exists in red soil and therefore it gives very rich aftertaste and long lasting flavour.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch1\u003eThe thick body and long lasting sweetness thanks to the high mountain climate\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    Lao Hei Zhai raw Pu-erh is produced from the mountain situated in Ling Cang city. Ling Cang city is located almost the farthest north of Pu-erh production area. Due to the high latitude, the weather in Ling Cang, especially the temperature at night is cooler than other areas. Most importantly, Lao Hei Zhai tea is grown at altitude around 2200-2300m. Tea from high mountain is generally good in quality. The altitude of 2200m-2300 is similar to the altitude of Li Shan or Cui Feng Mountain in Taiwan. At higher altitude, tea received strong sunshine in a daytime. Tea produces more energy thanks to the efficient photosynthesis. On the other hand, the temperature at night is extremely low at high altitude. Due to low temperature, tea is unable to consume the energy for growing. As a result, all nutrients including minerals are accumulated in the tea leaves. This is the reason why the tea grown at high altitude is generally good quality.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe very appealing thick body and long lasting sweetness of Lao Hei Zhai is the gift from the high mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch1\u003eHow does Lao Hei Zhai Raw Puerh taste like?\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    This tea does not give either flowery or identical fruity flavour, but it gives gentle greenish flavour that reminds us of freshly produced straw. Because of very deep and long lasting aftertaste, you can feel its quality even if you drink this tea pinching your nose. This tea matured very well thanks to its rich mineral content. After keeping this tea for a few years, its flavour becomes more fruity and honey-\u003ca name=\"_GoBack\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003elike.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe character of Lao Hei Zhai and Bing Dao is quite similar. If you need to select one, I suggest Lao Hei Zhai for a start. Please try Bing Dao after trying Lao Hei Zhai since Bing Dao gives deeper after taste than Lao Hei Zhai. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962694320,"sku":"d16caa","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2011070600461859f1.jpg?v=1713921623"},{"product_id":"d25","title":"Wu Mu Long Raw Pu-erh Tea 2019","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Hands holding a Wu Mu Long raw pu-erh tea cake in its wrapper\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7457\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4539.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nThis year we made a significant improvement in process and succeeded to produce very ideal quality. In particular, I am delighted with the tea flavour.\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    5 snakes were found in the tea garden\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nWu Mu Long raw pu-erh tea is made in the Wu Mu Long village that is located in Yong De county of Lincang. We selected tea from the specific tea garden located at altitude above 2000m.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Mountain landscape with a village and fields on the slopes\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7455\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4108.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nBefore tea season begun, we went up to the mountain in Wu Mu Long village and spent a lot of time to search for the ideal garden. Generally, the tea gardens located near the village are well taken care of and usually a lot of fertilizers are used on the tea trees. This is because it is easier for villagers to walk to the garden nearby their houses and they usually spend more time with the garden located closely to the village.\nWhen we went up to the small path far away from the village, we found a tea garden that consists of many old tea trees. Based on the size of tree, we estimated the ages are about a few hundred years old. The entire garden was fully covered with weeds. The tea trees were left just like wild plants in nature. That means tea trees were fully independent and sustainable.\nAccording to the villager, that garden has been left unattended for more than 10 years.\nThe garden was owned by an old lady. She lost her husband 10 years ago and her children moved to the town to be a teacher. Since she is too old and unable to take care of her tea garden, the garden became totally wild. According to her, her family has never used any pesticides and fertilizers at all. After carefully inspected, I concluded that the garden was perfectly ideal to me. In order to secure the material from this ideal garden, we spoke to the lady that we would like to rent her garden. She was very happy with our offer. We are happy to have rented her garden this year.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes overgrown with weeds bearing small white flowers\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7454\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0178-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nThe garden was fully covered with weeds. We arrange weeding.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Hillside tea garden with the undergrowth cleared\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7453\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3823.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nAlthough we succeeded to rent the garden, the garden was too wild that no one was willing to pluck tea. Obviously, we needed to remove weeds first. My manufacturer arranged a few people for weeding.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4237-2.jpg?v=1789408699\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A snake wrapped around a tree trunk\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1004\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4237.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\nDuring the work, we heard an exciting voice electrified the field. Obviously, they were agitated. I realized that they found a few snakes in the bush of the tea garden. They were catching snakes. They told me that the poisonous snake is particularly delicious. Eventually they have found five snakes in the garden. They moved four of them to another location. Unfortunately, one of them became a main course for their dinner.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4542.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Top of a compressed tea cake resting on its paper wrapper\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1007\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4542.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Steeped tea leaves opened up in a white bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7459\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4561.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Man with a camera checking tea leaves on drying racks\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7458\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4558-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Sweet flavour like fruit\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nSince the quality of tea leaf was excellent, we strictly managed the pan-frying process at optimum level to retain its characteristic. It makes the flavour very fruity and the taste of tea becomes very rich, creamy and soft. Thanks to the high altitude, the old age of tea tree and no fertilizer, tea gives no bitterness and astringency at all.\nIn addition, we strictly monitor the local weather forecast and only proceed for tea cake compression during good weather. We do not compress tea in rainy day because tea often develops musty odour. Thanks to continuous sunny weather this year, we succeeded to retain the refreshing flavour of mao-cha even after tea is compressed into tea cake. The flavour of Wu Mu Long reminds me of pine apple or dried apricots. It gives lingering sweetness down the throat and long-lasting aftertaste too.\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962825392,"sku":"d25ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g (cake)","offer_id":45618962858160,"sku":"d25cc","price":12700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"1,071g value pack (3 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45618962890928,"sku":"d25cv","price":30600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4539.jpg?v=1713922912"},{"product_id":"d52m","title":"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea Loose 2015","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8141.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4697\" title=\"IMG_8141\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8141.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\nI have just purchased Ma An Shan raw pu-erh tea, one of the prestigious teas in my raw pu-erh tea line-ups.\n\u003ch2\u003eFour famous tea production areas in Lincang\u003c\/h2\u003e\nFor sourcing pu-erh tea in Yunnan Province of China, I focus on Lincang where the altitude and latitude is higher than the south such as Meng Hai. In Lincang, there are four famous tea production areas: Xi Gui 昔歸, Bing Dao 冰島, Mang Fei 忙肺 and Ma An Shan 馬鞍山. Among these four places, Bing Dao and Xi Gui is located in the close distance from the city centre of Lincang as well as Lincang airport. Due to the easier accessibility, the number of tourists visiting these places is increasing. Recently, the price of tea in these two places is over speculated. Naturally, farmers in these places are becoming wealthy and eventually they are trying very hard to further increase the output too. Nowadays a lot of fertilizer is applied in these places and tea is plucked all over the year. As a result, the quality is decreasing in general, unless tea is sourced from the surrounding areas.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8151.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4694\" title=\"IMG_8151\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8151.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe outstanding quality and character of Ma An Shan tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\nOut of 4 famous tea production areas in Lincang, Ma An Shan is located near the Myanmar border and it takes minimum 8 hours to reach there by car from Lincang city. Due to the very remote location, less people are going there and less people know the name of Ma An Shan. However, the quality of Ma An Shan is outstanding in general and its character is strongly pronouncing. If you have ever tasted Ma An Shan, you may be impressed by its quality. I was very shocked too when I first tasted Ma An Shan. The main characteristics of Ma An Shan is its well-balanced taste and three-dimensional mouth-feel. It gives very strong body as well as deep aftertaste. You will enjoy not only the width in taste but also the depth when you sip Ma An Shan tea. My feeling when I tasted Ma An Shan tea is like taste exploded in my mouth. It is so rich that I felt sweetness both on my palate and down my throat too. The very famous tea in Yunnan such as Lao Ban Zhang and Xi Gui is known for the strong body. Ma An Shan tea has equally strong extent of body. But most importantly, Ma An Shan gives extremely strong aftertaste too thanks to its traditional natural farming practice. It is the tea that tea lover would always look for.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8163.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4692\" title=\"IMG_8163\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8163.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSome parts of Ma An Shan areas are conquered by the modern agricultural practice\u003c\/h2\u003e\nIn fact, not all places in Ma An Shan practices natural farming. I noticed that some farmers are using fertilizer at certain tea growing areas. The fertilizer is speeding up the growth rate of tea tree and eventually the taste becomes lighter and thinner. The surface of tea tree grown with fertilizer becomes darker, the leaf turns greener and the leaf size also becomes bigger. The natural farmed tea generally produces smaller leaf, less green and tea tree turns white. One of the important indexes is to survey the ground. If we see bare soil and no weeds are growing, it means fertilizer is being used. We specially selected the area where the farmer still practices natural farming.\n\u003cfigure style=\"margin:0 0 20px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8165.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"size-full wp-image-4691\" title=\"IMG_8165\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8165.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003eA farmer carrying fertilizer\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8157.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4693\" title=\"IMG_8157\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8157.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGood tea comes from good people\u003c\/h2\u003e\nIn addition to the base quality of tea, we emphasize a lot in the processing quality. The taste and flavour is deeply affected if tea is not well-processed. It often gives noise in taste, sort of stuffy smell or scorched flavour if the process is poorly managed. The three main steps to control the processing quality are:\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTea plucking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePan-frying \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunshine drying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\nI always think it is very important to find the manufacturer who could clearly understand our quality requirement. I spent few days walking around the village to look for the reliable manufacturer. One of the manufacturers I met could understand and agree with all the points that I highlighted based on the tea he processed and could logically explain the root cause. I also noticed that he was extremely particular when he is inspecting the fresh tea leaf delivered by farmer from his village. Looking at how much he cares about the quality of fresh tea leaves, I could understand his ability in quality management. However, the current quality of his tea was not up to my requirement. One of the reasons is that they have very less exposure to the buyer from outside. It is not they cannot do, but they have not thought it was important. We have gone through lengthy discussions with them, and requested them to process their tea following our requirements. A few days later, we received the sample that they processed according to my requirement. I was extremely pleased by the result. I was not only happy with the result but also the fact that they worked very hard and finally achieve it. I always think that the important element in sourcing tea is to find the reliable manufacturer. We need to select the person who is honest and willing to make an effort and logical approach to produce high quality tea.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8088.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Two men working tea leaves by hand on round bamboo trays\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4698\" title=\"IMG_8088\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8088.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8188.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Heap of fresh green tea leaves spread on cloth\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4690\" title=\"IMG_8188\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8188.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8209.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4688\" title=\"IMG_8209\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8209.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMao-cha is also suitable for maturation\u003c\/h2\u003e\nMao-cha gives more fruity notes like citrus or green grapes. This flavour remains even if it is matured. You may also consider keeping mao-cha for many years to enjoy the changes of tea maturation.\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8142.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4696\" title=\"IMG_8142\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8142.jpg\" alt=\"Ma An Shan Raw Pu-erh Tea from ancient tea trees\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-aging\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Tea Aging \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (in a bag)","offer_id":45618962923696,"sku":"d52mcz","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8141.jpg?v=1713922151"},{"product_id":"d154","title":"Zhenkang Ripe Pu-erh Tea 2022","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Raw Pu-erh tea is a delicate tea that is fruity and fresh, like freshly made white wine. It has no bitterness or astringency, making it very popular with children.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        When you think of Pu-erh tea, you might imagine a tea with a brown liquor and the flavor of dried mushrooms or dried fruits, but that is a type of Pu-erh called ripe Pu-erh.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-raw-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        Difference Between Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        High-quality ripe Pu-erh tea is never moldy.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Some people dislike ripe tea because it smells like \"old furniture,\" \"rotten wood,\" or \"mold,\" but moldy aromas indicate poor quality tea with fermentation issues. High-quality tea should evoke a certain level of emotion when tasted. HOJO conducts extensive tasting to ensure we introduce only the best quality teas.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe buy tea leaves from a very remote growing area, aiming for a tea suited for everyday drinking. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Hand holding a wrapped Zhenkang 2022 tea cake\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5373.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10135\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eZhenkang County, on the Border with Myanmar\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea was made in Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. Zhenkang is the westernmost county in Lincang and borders Myanmar. The county seat (the equivalent of a prefectural capital in Japan) is in Nan San, a town in the border area, and it plays an important role as a hub for border trade. After Nan San, the most economically active town is Feng Wei, in northeastern Zhenkang. Feng Wei is high in altitude and covered in mountains, and tea growing is widespread there. It has many ancient tea trees in particular and is widely known as a tea-producing area. Ethnic minority villages are scattered around it, mainly Lahu, Yi and Wa, and traditional culture and ways of life are still alive there. For reference, in China, prefecture-level cities sit under provinces, and counties and districts sit under those. Below them are towns (zhen) and townships (xiang); a zhen is equivalent to a town in Japan and a xiang to a village. Under towns and townships are villages and communities (shequ). For example, Lincang City in Yunnan Province contains Zhenkang County, which contains the town of Nan San. China's administrative divisions are layered like this, from province down to village. Lincang City covers about 24,469 square kilometers. That is larger than the whole of Shikoku (about 18,800 square kilometers) and a little smaller than Kyushu (about 36,800 square kilometers). It is a single regional city in China, yet its area is comparable to a whole region of Japan. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Forested mountain slope overlooking a sea of clouds\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8984.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10143\"\u003e \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Tea trees and mountains above a sea of clouds\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8989.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10141\"\u003e \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Tree in white blossom on a mountain slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2216.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10136\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGoing Deep into Remote Areas for Reasonably Priced Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo offer high quality ripe Pu-erh tea at an affordable price, we paid particular attention to transport links in the producing region. Even within Lincang, areas with well maintained roads and easy access from nearby cities attract more visitors, which tends to drive up tea prices. Feng Wei Town, on the other hand, is about eight hours by car from the nearest airport. By sourcing tea from mountain villages even farther beyond the town, we were able to pay relatively less than we would for tea of comparable quality from other regions.\u003cbr\u003eAt the homes of ethnic minority farmers, we were served a mysterious drink instead of tea: homemade baijiu, which they had brewed and distilled themselves, then infused with mountain herbs. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Rooftop of a building in the mountains above clouds\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8982.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10142\"\u003e \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Concrete mountain path leading toward a sea of clouds\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9002-3.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10139\"\u003e \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Hand pouring a drink from a large jar into small cups\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2519.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10137\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMade from Tea Grown Without Pesticides or Fertilizer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZhenkang Ripe Pu-erh 2022 uses leaves from ancient trees over 100 years old, harvested in a tea garden at 2,000 m altitude in Feng Wei. It has the clarity that comes from leaves grown without fertilizer or pesticides, and a long lingering aftertaste. It was produced at a small factory in the mountains. As it ages the aroma and flavor should grow, with a sweet dried fruit note, and the taste should become gentler and more mellow. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Front surface of a dark brown compressed tea cake\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5381-1.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10133\"\u003e \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Back of a compressed tea cake with a center dent\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5388.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10134\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more on how ripe Pu-erh is fermented, compressed, and aged, see \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-ripe-pu-erh\"\u003eAbout Ripe Pu-erh Tea\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Focus on Sourcing Naturally Cultivated Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman in a yellow jacket reaching into a tea tree to pluck leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1207_417cac31-feef-474b-8429-501636b4b2b6.jpg?v=1727852439\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 2010, we have been visiting Yunnan Province every spring. Over the years, we have built connections with many famous tea regions. However, our focus is not on a region's fame, but rather on tea with transparency and a long-lasting aftertaste. To achieve this, we focus on remote mountain villages, selecting tea gardens with ancient tea trees, high altitudes, and no fertilizers, sourcing through unique logistics channels. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/aftertaste\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eBeyond Fame: In Pursuit of Teas with a Long-Lasting Aftertaste\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u0026gt;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan, teas claiming to be from famous regions are produced in thousands of locations using leaves from other areas, and can be found everywhere—from airports and convenience stores to supermarkets.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    What complicates matters is the surprising phenomenon where imitation teas made from leaves in remote areas are of higher quality than the genuine articles. This is especially common with Pu-erh teas from Lincang, and it is a well-known fact among professionals involved in local sourcing. For more details, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/famous_area\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eFamous Tea Regions Where Imitation Is the Norm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Yunnan Province, there are long-established brands like Dayi and Zhongcha. These brands are renowned because their teas produced before 1990 are highly valued.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    So why are these older teas considered special? Many people assume it is due to long aging, but in reality, the tea leaves used at that time were naturally grown without fertilizers, resulting in their superior quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even if current teas are aged for a long time, they will not reach the same quality. For more information, please visit the following page.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 25px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/pu-erh_brand\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eChanges in the Quality of Famous Tea Brands: Then and Now\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":45618962989232,"sku":"d154ca","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":45618963022000,"sku":"d154cc","price":5900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":45618963054768,"sku":"d154cv","price":23800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5373.jpg?v=1769752407"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/collections\/raw_puher_7f943e8b-9615-450a-947d-994eecaf0cd6.jpg?v=1710747620","url":"https:\/\/hojotea.com\/en-en\/collections\/pu-erh-tea.oembed","provider":"お茶の専門店HOJO \/ HOJO CO., LTD.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}