Dark tea is one of the six basic tea categories, belonging to post-fermented tea. It can gradually mellow and improve over time, aiding digestion, supporting weight loss, and providing various vitamins and trace elements.

Fu Brick tea is the most distinctive product within dark tea, being both post-fermented and fully fermented. It is called 'Fu tea' because it was traditionally processed during the hottest summer days (伏天). During the Tang Dynasty, as it was produced under official license and sold by the government, it was also known as 'official tea' or 'government tea.'

Generally, the longer Fu Brick tea is aged, the richer its aroma becomes, and the easier it is to brew. The tea soup appears bright red. The 'golden flowers' in the tea can effectively regulate human metabolism and have benefits such as lowering lipids, reducing blood pressure, and regulating sugar metabolism.

As the prized variety among dark teas, Fu Brick tea stands out primarily due to its 'golden flowers' component. These 'golden flowers' are formed through a special process called 'flowering,' where a substance called Eurotium cristatum is cultivated within the tea bricks. This is commonly referred to as golden flowers.

The golden flowers have a light, delicate floral fragrance when dry. When brewing Fu Brick tea containing these special fungi, the floral aroma blends into the tea soup, enhancing its flavor to become more mellow, slightly astringent, pure, and robust.

Of course, the golden flowers can also effectively promote and regulate metabolism, providing health benefits and disease prevention. Because its medicinal effects resemble those of Smilax glabra (土茯苓), and due to the unique taste of Fu Brick tea, it was named with the character '茯' (Fu). This leads some to mistakenly believe that Fu Brick tea contains Smilax glabra, but in reality, it is the floral aroma of the golden flowers and their unique pharmacological effects.

Related links: Benefits of Golden Flower Pu-erh Tea   Golden Flower Fu Brick Tea