FAMOUS PU'ER TEA PRODUCING VILLAGES IN YUNNAN
Pu'Er tea comes from several well-known villages in Yunnan, each with its own unique terroir and tea characteristics.
XISHUANGBANNA
Xishuangbanna, located in the southernmost part of Yunnan Province, China, is one of the most renowned tea-producing regions in the world. Known for its rich biodiversity, ancient tea trees, and ideal climate for tea cultivation, this region plays a crucial role in the production of Pu'Er tea. The combination of altitude, climate, and soil conditions makes Xishuangbanna a unique and highly sought-after origin for tea enthusiasts.
High humidity, ample rainfall, and distinct wet and dry seasons contribute to the complexity of Pu-erh tea flavors. Tea trees are often grown at elevations between 800 and 2,200 meters, which enhances the development of complex flavors. Many tea plantations are interwoven with natural forests, allowing tea trees to grow in a semi-wild environment, which influences the taste and quality of the tea.
Xishuangbanna consists of several famous tea mountains, each known for producing distinctive Pu'Er teas.
Menghai is home to some of the most famous Pu'Er tea-producing mountains and is known for its bold and complex teas.
Bānzhāng – The "King of Pu'Er," known for powerful, bitter, and chaqi-heavy tea. Includes:
Lǎo Bānzhāng – "Old Banzhang," the most sought-after and expensive.
Xīn Bānzhāng – "New Banzhang," a younger village with similar strong tea.
Lǎo Màn’é – Bitter and intense, similar to Banzhang.
Bādá Shān – Mellow but with strong endurance.
Hèkāi – A mix of Banzhang strength and Yiwu sweetness. Known for strong cha qi and a distinct honey-like sweetness.
Nánnuò – Sweet, floral, and slightly astringent, with a honey-like aftertaste.
Pasha - Produces bold and fragrant Pu'Er with a balance of bitterness and sweetness.
Bùlǎng Shān – Strong, bitter tea with a heavy, lingering huigan (returning sweetness). Includes:
Màn Sōng – Rare and highly sought-after, known for elegance.
Xīn Jǐngmài – Smooth and fragrant.
Mannuo
Man Zhuan
Man Zhi
Gedeng
Youle
Yiwu historically known as one of the six famous tea mountains, is one of the most prestigious tea-producing regions in Xishuangbanna. Yiwu tea is known for its smooth, mellow, and sweet taste, often described as "soft but powerful." Yiwu was a major hub in the ancient Tea Horse Road trade route.
Máhēi – Classic Yiwu profile: smooth, honey-like, long-lasting sweetness.
Dīngjiāzhài – A floral, elegant tea with soft mouthfeel.
Luòshuǐdòng – Delicate and refined, famous for its thick liquor.
Wān Gōng – One of the most expensive Yiwu villages, known for its ancient trees.
Gāo Gān – "Tall Pole Tea," referring to ancient trees with particularly smooth tea.
Jiǔ Xī – Yiwu tea with a slightly more structured mouthfeel.
Bòhétáng – "Mint Pond," a rare and expensive Yiwu tea known for freshness.
High humidity, ample rainfall, and distinct wet and dry seasons contribute to the complexity of Pu-erh tea flavors. Tea trees are often grown at elevations between 800 and 2,200 meters, which enhances the development of complex flavors. Many tea plantations are interwoven with natural forests, allowing tea trees to grow in a semi-wild environment, which influences the taste and quality of the tea.
Xishuangbanna consists of several famous tea mountains, each known for producing distinctive Pu'Er teas.
Menghai is home to some of the most famous Pu'Er tea-producing mountains and is known for its bold and complex teas.
Bānzhāng – The "King of Pu'Er," known for powerful, bitter, and chaqi-heavy tea. Includes:
Lǎo Bānzhāng – "Old Banzhang," the most sought-after and expensive.
Xīn Bānzhāng – "New Banzhang," a younger village with similar strong tea.
Lǎo Màn’é – Bitter and intense, similar to Banzhang.
Bādá Shān – Mellow but with strong endurance.
Hèkāi – A mix of Banzhang strength and Yiwu sweetness. Known for strong cha qi and a distinct honey-like sweetness.
Nánnuò – Sweet, floral, and slightly astringent, with a honey-like aftertaste.
Pasha - Produces bold and fragrant Pu'Er with a balance of bitterness and sweetness.
Bùlǎng Shān – Strong, bitter tea with a heavy, lingering huigan (returning sweetness). Includes:
Màn Sōng – Rare and highly sought-after, known for elegance.
Xīn Jǐngmài – Smooth and fragrant.
Mannuo
Man Zhuan
Man Zhi
Gedeng
Youle
Yiwu historically known as one of the six famous tea mountains, is one of the most prestigious tea-producing regions in Xishuangbanna. Yiwu tea is known for its smooth, mellow, and sweet taste, often described as "soft but powerful." Yiwu was a major hub in the ancient Tea Horse Road trade route.
Máhēi – Classic Yiwu profile: smooth, honey-like, long-lasting sweetness.
Dīngjiāzhài – A floral, elegant tea with soft mouthfeel.
Luòshuǐdòng – Delicate and refined, famous for its thick liquor.
Wān Gōng – One of the most expensive Yiwu villages, known for its ancient trees.
Gāo Gān – "Tall Pole Tea," referring to ancient trees with particularly smooth tea.
Jiǔ Xī – Yiwu tea with a slightly more structured mouthfeel.
Bòhétáng – "Mint Pond," a rare and expensive Yiwu tea known for freshness.
LINCANG
Lincang Prefecture – Balanced, Aromatic, and Enduring Teas
Lincang produces some of the most floral and complex Pu'Er teas.
Mengku
Bīngdǎo – One of the most famous and expensive, known for its soft, sweet, almost sugary taste.
Dǒngguò – Balanced with floral and fruity notes.
Dàxuě Shān – "Big Snow Mountain," known for high-altitude, thick-bodied tea.
Bāngdōng – Robust, mineral-rich, and long-lasting.
Xīguī – Lincang’s "hidden gem," featuring high sweetness and a thick mouthfeel.
Fengqing -
YongDe -
Less known:
Matai -
Mingfengshan -
Baiyingshan -
Lincang produces some of the most floral and complex Pu'Er teas.
Mengku
Bīngdǎo – One of the most famous and expensive, known for its soft, sweet, almost sugary taste.
Dǒngguò – Balanced with floral and fruity notes.
Dàxuě Shān – "Big Snow Mountain," known for high-altitude, thick-bodied tea.
Bāngdōng – Robust, mineral-rich, and long-lasting.
Xīguī – Lincang’s "hidden gem," featuring high sweetness and a thick mouthfeel.
Fengqing -
YongDe -
Less known:
Matai -
Mingfengshan -
Baiyingshan -
PU'ER
Pu'er City – Classic, Aged, and Earthy Teas
This region is named after Pu'Er itself and produces many traditional teas.
Jǐngmài – Ancient tea forests, known for deep, complex aging potential.
Kùnlù Shān – Historically important, smooth, and balanced.
Nàkǎ – Similar to Banzhang but smoother.
Yǐbāng – Small-leaf variety with a unique, honeyed taste.
Gédēng – One of the Six Great Tea Mountains, floral and refined.
Jinggu -
Wu Liang -
Mangjing - Have a strong and complex flavor, often with floral and woody undertones.
Ailao -
These villages represent some of the most famous Pu'Er-producing regions, but Yunnan has hundreds of smaller villages, each with unique characteristics.
This region is named after Pu'Er itself and produces many traditional teas.
Jǐngmài – Ancient tea forests, known for deep, complex aging potential.
Kùnlù Shān – Historically important, smooth, and balanced.
Nàkǎ – Similar to Banzhang but smoother.
Yǐbāng – Small-leaf variety with a unique, honeyed taste.
Gédēng – One of the Six Great Tea Mountains, floral and refined.
Jinggu -
Wu Liang -
Mangjing - Have a strong and complex flavor, often with floral and woody undertones.
Ailao -
These villages represent some of the most famous Pu'Er-producing regions, but Yunnan has hundreds of smaller villages, each with unique characteristics.
Andrei Ivanov
Founder of AN SHIM TEA
AN SHIM TEA ARTICLES
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