Eurotium cristatum, a probiotic, is a natural beneficial microorganism that grows on Fu brick tea under specific temperature and humidity conditions through the 'flowering' process, commonly known as 'Golden Flower.' In national standards, Fu brick tea is the only black tea variety that requires the presence of 'Eurotium cristatum' as an indicator. Scientific research has shown that 'Golden Flower' not only does not affect the quality of post-fermented tea but also secretes amylase and oxidase from tea leaves, catalyzing the conversion of starch into monosaccharides and the oxidation of polyphenolic compounds. This process turns the tea soup reddish-brown, eliminates rough and astringent flavors, and makes the taste more mellow, refreshing, and sweet with a lingering aftertaste. It has strong effects on promoting digestion, lowering blood lipids, dissolving fat, and regulating carbohydrate metabolism. The size of its particles changes with factors such as humidity, flourishing like 'Milan' at times and shrinking into small white spots at others, without affecting its quality or efficacy.
Professor Liu Zhonghua from Hunan Agricultural University and others have conclusively demonstrated at the molecular level that Fu brick tea contains specific components with significant lipid-lowering, weight-loss, and blood sugar-regulating functions. They also discovered two new active substances unique to Fu brick tea—Fuzhuanin A and Fuzhuanin B. The 'Golden Flower' in Fu tea can effectively regulate human metabolism and has strong effects on lowering blood lipids, blood pressure, and regulating carbohydrate metabolism. Japanese researchers specializing in Fu brick tea have extracted substances from it to create health products priced higher than gold, leading to the saying, 'Gold and platinum are not as valuable as black gold.' Many scholars worldwide hope to win a Nobel Prize for their work on Eurotium cristatum.
As the prized variety of black tea, Fu tea stands out due to its 'Golden Flower' component. The 'Golden Flower' in tea is a type of Shewanella bacteria that can dissolve fat, aiding in weight loss and fitness. When dry, the 'Golden Flower' emits a faint, fragrant aroma reminiscent of yellow flowers. When brewed, this floral note blends into the tea soup, enhancing its flavor with a mellow, slightly astringent, and pure taste. The 'Golden Flower' promotes metabolism, offers health benefits, and provides preventive effects against diseases. Due to its medicinal properties resembling those of Smilax glabra (tufuling) and its unique taste, the tea is named 'Fu.' Some mistakenly believe Fu tea contains Smilax glabra, but its distinct flavor and pharmacological effects actually come from the 'Golden Flower.'
With the improvement of material living standards, especially among modern urban populations, issues like overnutrition, unhealthy lifestyles, and poor dietary habits have led to an increase in lifestyle diseases and suboptimal health. In contrast, the health of边疆牧民 (borderland herders) remains robust, with the lowest incidence of 'three highs' (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia) in the country. This has drawn significant attention to the mysterious tea.
Modern instruments can analyze the components of Fu tea, and medical trials can verify the effects of its 'Golden Flower.' Japanese experiments show that Fu tea ranks first in weight-loss efficacy among tea beverages, making it highly popular among Japanese women, who call it 'slimming tea.' In Korea, it is known as 'beauty tea,' and in Southeast Asia, it is called 'slim health tea.' As modern science and medicine advance, new health benefits of Fu tea continue to emerge. Beyond aiding digestion, reducing greasiness, improving gut health, and weight loss, it also softens blood vessels, prevents cardiovascular diseases, lowers the 'three highs,' detoxifies, reduces harm from smoking and alcohol, and offers antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Anhua dark tea is, in a way, an inexhaustible 'health treasure.'
Japanese researchers have extracted the 'Golden Flower' from Fu tea to create health products priced higher than gold. Yet, paradoxically, while modern people spend heavily on health supplements, beauty products, and spa treatments, Fu tea—a cost-effective health gem—has not received the attention or development it deserves.
Related link: The benefits of Golden Pearl Pu-erh tea