Anhua Dark Tea introduction

Anhua Dark Tea is a fascinating tea variety. To really know and understand it, you will need multiple tasting sessions of all its variations. Following are a series of essential facts that serve as a basic introduction and companion to your discovery of this tasty and unique tea:

Basics

• Geography: Anhua Dark Tea is produced in Anhua County and Xinhua County in Hunan Province, China.

• History: In 1524, the expression ‘dark tea’, was used for the first time in print. It specifically meant dark tea from the Anhua region.

• Tea type: As indicated in its name, Anhua Dark Tea belongs to the post-fermented dark tea type.

• Tea plant: The tea plants growing around Anhua County are middle-sized bushes.

• Processing: ‘Smoking’ / drying the leaves over pinewood is what gives Anhua Dark Tea its unique character. Different types of compression and wrapping result in Anhua Dark Tea’s different variations.

• Variations: Heizhuan (Dark Brick), Huajuan (Patterned Roll) and Tianjian (Heavenly Tips) are variations that offer premium teas of the highest quality.

• Storage: Anhua Dark Tea is suited for ageing. It should be stored in a clean and odour-free environment, without direct contact to sunlight.

• Preparation: Anhua Dark Tea is relatively easy to prepare. It can be made gongfu-style, or simply left to brew in a pot. We recommend using 3-5 grams for one session.

• Feeling: Anhua Dark Tea is reputed for its regulating and appeasing effect on the digestive system, which results in an overall feeling of well-being.

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What to expect

• It conveys what we would describe as a ‘calm energy’ and a grounded feeling of wellbeing.

• It has a delicious, unique, and intoxicating taste range.

• Perfect for a meditation or self-reflection session.

• The kind of tea to drink while reading a favourite book.

• Absolutely enjoyable on its own, it is also delicious with pastries, cakes, pies, etc.

• It will support you through your essay writing.

• To be prepared gongfu style, or simply in a vacuum bottle for a walk in the forest.

• To be enjoyed alone on a rainy day, or together with friends under the sun.

• Not the kind of tea with high floral notes. The ‘Anhua Feeling’ indicative of a good tea can be described as long lasting notes of fine wood and fine herbs.

• Not the type of hyped tea that wants to be described with hyperbolic adjectives in a wine-tasting style. Life is too short for that.

Learn more

Anhua Dark Tea Secrets is an education series for those who wish to learn more about Anhua Dark Tea.