Ancient Tree Section

Are ancient trees always large?

NO: Frequently harvested ancient trees can grow very thin and small. The root diameter does not represent the tree's age; different tea tree varieties of the same age can have different diameters.

Are tea trees with white moss necessarily Pu-erh tea trees?

NO: Trees with white moss are not necessarily Pu-erh tea trees.

Does tea tree with "crab feet" necessarily indicate an ancient tree?

NO: In Jingmai Mountain, they can be found even in low-age trees or terrace tea gardens.

Does more fuzz on leaves mean it's an ancient tree?

NO: But more fuzz helps prevent insect bites.

Brewing Section

Should water be boiled repeatedly to maintain temperature?

NO: Repeatedly boiled water contains nitrite.

Is water from a water dispenser suitable for brewing Pu-erh tea?

NO: Pu-erh tea requires boiling water, at least above 90°C, which many water dispensers cannot achieve. Brewing Pu-erh tea is easy to control—boiling water is ready to use, unlike Longjing, which requires 85°C, or Biluochun, which needs 75°C.

Is longer steeping time better?

NO: Tea is best consumed after steeping for 4-6 minutes, as caffeine and other soluble substances have already been extracted. Steeping too long makes the tea bitter and affects quality. Pu-erh tea is very durable; the first few infusions should be quick, while later infusions can be steeped longer.

Should raw Pu-erh be boiled?

NO: Brew with boiling water. Boiling raw Pu-erh won't turn it into ripe Pu-erh.

Storage Section

Should Pu-erh tea be stored under the bed?

NO: Store Pu-erh tea at least 15 cm above the ground, higher if humidity is high.

Should Pu-erh tea be sun-dried?

NO: Sun exposure rapidly oxidizes Pu-erh tea, making it sour and ruining it.

Must new tea be stored for years before drinking?

NO: High-quality raw Pu-erh can be drunk immediately after production, with a rich mountain sunshine flavor. Ripe Pu-erh generally needs three months to remove the pile-fermentation taste.

Does raw Pu-erh turn into ripe Pu-erh after long storage?

NO: Raw Pu-erh will never become ripe Pu-erh no matter how long it is stored; ripe Pu-erh is a processing technique, not a result of aging. This is similar to Naxi people's pork bacon, which can be eaten raw after 10-20 years. But raw Pu-erh doesn't "ripen," though aged raw Pu-erh's soup color may resemble ripe Pu-erh.

Health Effects Section

Does drinking Pu-erh tea guarantee weight loss?

Pu-erh tea aids weight loss, but it is not absolute; it depends on brewing method, individual physique, and lifestyle habits.

Does drinking Pu-erh tea at night cause insomnia?

Pu-erh tea helps with sleep; pay attention to the brewing method—steep, don't soak. Follow Pu-erh Tea Home for more.

Is theine only found in tea leaves?

NO: Most plants contain theine, but in varying amounts.

Collection Section

Does Pu-erh tea become more valuable with age?

NO: After 100 years, it can be used as firewood.

Should the sweet aftertaste be quick?

NO: The nature of ancient tree tea is slow to warm up; new tea releases its flavor slowly, but it develops strength during later aging. It's like things that grow fast are not as good as those that grow slow!

Does beautiful wet leaves mean good tea?

NO: The key is the beauty of later transformation. Beautifully processed wet leaves and large shapes are often results of machine processing, not top-quality ancient tree tea. Authentic Bingdao has small burnt spots and includes tea stems when picked, while counterfeit Bingdao is exquisitely made but shows significant differences in quality after a year.

Related links: Golden Flower Pu-erh Tea, Golden Flower Fu Tea