"When the spring breeze arrives in March, the stone stove sparks to test the new tea." Tea-themed poetry is rare, but Wei Shimin’s lines stand out beautifully. These words evoke a delicate tea fragrance that seems to spread from the Pu'er Tea Pavilion at the World Expo, permeating the hearts of every Pu'er enthusiast.

In Yunnan, the birthplace of Pu'er, a saying goes: "Grandfather’s tea is sold by his grandson." Pu'er tea, also called "loose Pu'er," is made from the fresh leaves of the Yunnan large-leaf variety. Its strands are thick and sturdy, with a dark brown or reddish hue, often compared to liver color. The tea offers a mellow, sweet aftertaste and a unique aged aroma, earning it titles like "beauty tea" and "weight-loss tea." Its history traces back over 1,700 years to the Three Kingdoms period, when Chancellor Zhuge Liang promoted tea cultivation in the region, as recorded in the Pu'er Prefecture Chronicles.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, Pu'er became a hub for the "tea-horse trade," flourishing as a commercial center. By the Ming Dynasty, five major "Tea Horse Roads" radiated from Pu'er, earning acclaim as the "Southern Silk Road" and gaining international fame.

In the Qing Dynasty, Pu'er tea rose to imperial tribute status, cherished by emperors. Legend tells of the Pu family tea merchants sending partially sun-dried tea cakes to the capital, where rainy weather transformed their greenish-white color to brown. The distraught tea heir nearly took his life, but upon brewing, the tea revealed a rich amber hue and captivating aroma, winning the emperor’s favor.

From the Republic of China to the Anti-Japanese War, Pu'er tea saw renewed growth, with many legacy brands surviving. Post-liberation, Yunnan’s tea industry shifted focus to black tea and green tea, neglecting Pu'er traditions—even destroying ancient tea gardens for terraced plantations. However, in 1975, Yunnan revived Pu'er tea with the production of ripe (shou) Pu'er.

With rising living standards, Pu'er tea’s health benefits and exquisite taste regained popularity, spreading from Southeast Asia to Guangdong and nationwide. Today, production has transitioned from household workshops to industrial-scale operations, solidifying Pu'er’s status as a "drinkable antique."

Pu'er is a city born from tea forests. Its global appeal transforms this ethnic treasure into a world-renowned "magical oriental leaf," showcasing the unique culture and charm of Pu'er to the world.

Related link: The Effects and Benefits of Golden Pearl Pu'er Tea