Puer Tea Making Class and Workshop of China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden in Puer City
Chinese Name:中华普洱茶博览苑-普洱茶制作坊
English Name: Puer Tea Processing Workshop of China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden in Puer City
The Puer Tea Processing Workshop at the China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden offers an immersive experience into the art of Puer tea production. Visitors not only have the opportunity to sample Puer tea and watch the tea-making process but can also participate in tea picking activities and enjoy traditional tea mountain culture.
Experience Highlights:
- Tea Picking and Cultural Activities: Visitors can engage in tea picking, experiencing traditional mountain songs sung by local tea farmers as they work. This activity reflects the harmony between work and leisure typical of tea culture.
- Tea Production Process: The workshop allows you to explore the entire tea-making process, from picking to pressing. Traditional Puer tea is pressed into cakes for easy transportation, and you can even participate in pressing your own commemorative tea cake or brick.
- Traditional vs. Modern Methods: The workshop demonstrates both traditional and modern tea processing methods. Traditional methods involve manual steps, while modern techniques use machinery to improve efficiency and reduce contamination.
- Green Tea Production: Picking — Withering — Fixing (Kill Green) — Rolling — Drying — Pressing into cakes.
- Ripe Tea Production: Picking — Withering — Fixing (Kill Green) — Rolling — Drying — Piling (Fermentation) — Pressing into cakes.
Tea Production Steps:
- Picking: Generally involves picking one bud and two leaves, or one bud and one leaf, to ensure high-quality tea. Some varieties use slightly older leaves for a richer flavor after aging.
- Withering: Tea leaves are placed in a shaded, ventilated area to naturally dehydrate, avoiding direct sunlight.
- Fixing (Kill Green): This step involves heating the leaves to stop enzymatic oxidation. It can be done manually or with machines, with temperatures not exceeding 60°C.
- Rolling: The leaves are rolled to break down cell walls, which can be done by hand or with a rolling machine.
- Drying: Puer tea is traditionally sun-dried to preserve active compounds and ensure proper fermentation during aging.
- Pressing: Traditional methods use stone mills to press the tea into cakes, though modern machines can also be used.
- Piling (Fermentation): The tea is placed on fermentation beds where it is regularly watered and turned to facilitate controlled aging. This step requires expertise.
Tea Aging:
Puer tea improves with age, and its flavor evolves over time. Known for its aging potential, Puer tea can be stored for years and often becomes more aromatic and flavorful. This characteristic makes Puer tea a popular choice for gifts, as it offers a unique taste experience when consumed years later.
Visitor Information:
- Recommended Visit Duration: 1.5 hours
- Latitude and Longitude of the Attraction: Longitude 101°5′55.3308″, Latitude 22°38′54.4272″
- Best Photography Location: Tea Picking Experience Area Entrance
- Best Photography Coordinates: Longitude 101°5′54.5388″, Latitude 22°38′55.788″
- Best Photography Position Description: The best photography spot is at the entrance to the tea picking experience area. From here, you can capture the tea workshop buildings set amidst the tea gardens and, if visiting in the morning, the sunrise can also be beautifully captured.
The Puer Tea Processing Workshop provides a deep dive into the tradition and craftsmanship of tea making, making it an enriching visit for tea enthusiasts and those interested in cultural heritage.
