mao cha is steamed and packed tightly into cylindrical baskets between layers of reed leaves and palm bark that regulate a slow and steady fermentation (try the younger Qian Liang 2021)

Watch our Slices of Pu'er tasting for an in-depth look at these unusual Pu'ers

See Slices of Sheng for a light and fruity sheng pu'er with the same style of pressing

the leaves are dried similarly to other types of tea

lichens or vines

qi lan zheng shan xiao zhong 2023 oolong_yancha mao cha is steamed andA noteworthy addition to the Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong heritage, this new adaptation has been made with the Qi Lan (meaning rare orchid) cultivar, usually reserved for yan cha production. Despite its pedigree, the brew is less floral than expected. Instead, the small leaves that make up this black tea are brimming with the aromas of a Chinese apothecary and its mysterious herbal cabinets filled with dried ginseng, jujube berries, and licorice root,