Original Heart (Ripe Tea)

Product details

1. Origin: The Ancient Tea Forests of Yunnan

• Terroir: Sourced from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan—the birthplace of Pu’er tea, where centuries-old tea trees grow wild in the Ailao Mountains.
• Material: Made from sun-dried arbor tea leaves (dà shù chá), carefully fermented using traditional “wo dui” (渥堆) technique for balanced depth.
• Harvest & Craft: Handpicked by Dai and Hani ethnic minorities, who have cultivated tea here for generations.

2. Lineage: The Soul of Ripe Pu’er

• Tang Dynasty (618–907): Early records of Yunnan’s fermented tea traded along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
• 1970s: Modern ripe Pu’er ( shú chá) was perfected in Menghai, creating a smoother, faster-aging alternative to raw ( shēng chá).
• Original Heart Philosophy: This tea honors the “ben xin” —the “original heart” of tea masters who prioritize purity over mass production.

3. Cultural Essence: Tea as a Way of Life

① Earth’s Nectar 

• Ripe Pu’er’s mellow, earthy notes evoke the rainforest’s humidity and mineral-rich soil—referred to as “dì yùn” ( “earth’s rhythm”).

② Meditation in a Cup

• Traditionally drunk by Buddhist monks to aid focus during meditation. The deep red liquor symbolizes clarity and grounding.

③ Communal Bonding

• In Yunnan’s tea houses, sharing ripe Pu’er signifies trust and hospitality. Each brew tells a story of the land and hands that made it.