• handmade item

• materials: big-leaved arbor tea leaves from the Menghai county

• shape: loose leaf

This shou pu-erh brews sienna liquor that gives out a thick aroma resembling jujube dates and jasmine rice, and a smooth and sweet taste like the rice wine.

Chatou means “tea nuggets” whereas laochatou means “old tea nugget”. It is the clustered tea produced during the fermentation process (or wodui) of shou pu-erh. During this time, the pile has to be turned from time to time to reduce the high temperature within and to prevent over-fermentation. Pectin released from tea leaves by this turning motion agglomerates with other leaves within the pile to form chatou. Compared to loose leave shou pu-erh from the same batch, chatou has higher fermentation level and nutrient contents that yields more infusions with richer liquid. This gives an impression that it is more aged, thus the name laochatou, meaning “old tea nuggets”. There is approximately only half a rice bowl of chatou to be found per 8kg of shou pu-erh.

Shou pu-erh has a warming property that makes it go very easy on stomach. The tea demonstrates a broad spectrum of health benefits including lowering cholesterol, breaking down grease and promoting healthy weight loss.

Infusion instructions: Take leaves 1/4 to 1/3 of teapot volume. For each steep, pour boiling water into teapot, and strain after 30 seconds. The first 3 steeps are used to expand and “wake up” the nuggets, and we recommend start drinking from the 4th steep.