The 4 Areas of Pu-erh Tea Production in China

The History of Tea Production in the Yunnan Province

You will find that historically the area of the Yunnan province in China is rich with tea. This is where the tea of Pu-erh was first discovered and was produced also. Some of the best black teas come out of this area also. Since this area has the most ideal conditions for growing tea it is easy to produce the tea and it has been growing there for years. You can basically consider the Yunnan province the mecca for tea throughout the world. These teas, especially ones like Pu-erh are starting to become more and more famous around the globe.

Main Areas for Production in the Yunnan Province

There are many different types of Yunnan tea from large leaf to smaller leaf tea varieties. The area by the Lancang drainage basin is actually where a lot of the best Pu-erh tea is grown. You will find though that there are 4 main areas where tea is produced: Xishuangbanna, Pu’er (Simao), Lincang, and Baoshan.

What is the Best Location and Climate for Growing Tea?

What has been found is that the area by the Lancang River is a great climate because it is a monsoon climate. This is the best way to grow tea because there is a lot of rainfall and a warm climate that is humid. The farmers of the tea are able to take advantage of the landscape and all the precipitation that grows there. These trees have been harvested for years. The Lancang river cuts through all of the four areas for production and because of this there is always irrigation that is getting to the river and making the growing conditions much better. This means you are going to get great tasting tea.

Baoshan Area

This area was actually known as Yongchang in the ancient times. In the past, this was the area that was first populated with human settlers. Today, it is more than that, it is a place for tea production and also a business route that is often traveled.

The area of Baoshon has a great climate that is very mild. It is also humid, but not too hot so that it makes a good area for tea production. The trees grow very thick and full because of the climate. The city of Baoshan is a big time role in the production of the Pu-erh tea and is definitely a place to check out if you are in this area of China ever.

Lincang Area

The area of Lincang is another famous area that is located in the southwest of the Yunnan province. This was actually a gold route that lead to other parts of Asia. The city got its name from its closeness to the Lancang river. This is mainly where tea is produced throughout this area and where you will find the Pu-erh tea mostly consumed.

There is also a Fengqing style of the Pu-erh tea that is created from a unique tea that grows in this area. These teas can be rich, mellow, and are always smooth. They are famous throughout China and the world.

Pu-erh Area

Pu-erh is also known as Pu’er, Simao, Puer, or Pu-er depening on the region that you live in and the dialect that is spoken. This is a very large area and there is a heavy population of these trees out here. In fact, there is an area of 5,336,000 square meters of these trees growing. You will find that Simao is a very important place for gorwing and producing this tea and is a major distribution center. Since the climate is so favorable and there is so much precipitation, it is easy to grow the tea here. Historically, this area was just the place to grow the tea; it was shipped to the city so that it could be processed elsewhere.

Xishuangbanna Area

The area of Xishuangbanna is an area in the country; it is a beautiful area that has lots of fields and a ton of history. You will find that there are huge mountains that are full of tea trees and are covered in trees that are ancient. This is an area that is full of history and there are many legends that have been created here. This is an area that people know is known for the tea that is grown because of the perfect climate and the weather. Most of the tea that is grown here is sent out in the raw material and it is actually processed in another area of China, or even other parts of the world. This way, people throughout the world are able to enjoy this great tea, sip on it, and understand how it was created and where it came from. This is a delicious tea from a great area.