What is Puer?
Puer is a unique Chinese tea made from the large-leaf Yunnan variety grown in specific regions of Yunnan Province. It comes in both loose-leaf and compressed forms. Puer is traditionally classified into two types:
- Sheng Puer (Raw Puer) — unfermented, “green” puer.
- Shu Puer (Ripe Puer) — fermented, “ripe” puer created through artificial fermentation.
Shu Puer officially got its name in 1973, and in 1975, the Kunming Tea Factory successfully implemented the artificial fermentation process using the “wo dui” method, marking a new era in puer production.
Shu Puer Production Process
Shu Puer is made using moist pile fermentation, which accelerates the aging process. Fresh tea often has a noticeable moisture aroma and the distinct scent of the piling process. Over time, natural aromas such as lotus, jujube, and other subtle notes emerge.
What is Tuocha?
Tuocha is a compressed form of pu-erh, similar to cakes. The most common type is the bowl-shaped tuocha, such as the famous Xiaguan Tuocha.
Most tuocha is made from sheng pu-erh, but Bai Fu Shu Tuo 2006 is unique — it is ripe shu pu-erh in tuocha form.
Why Shu Pu-erh Can Be Stored Long-Term
Shu Pu-erh is known for:
- Clean aroma without off-flavors
- Transparent, bright liquor
- Smooth, velvety taste
Fresh shu pu-erh may have a pronounced “pile” taste, which mellows over time. Long-term storage enhances the tea: the liquor becomes clearer, the taste smoother, and the sweetness more pronounced.
Tuocha is ideal for storage: its dense compression slows changes in the center of the tea, creating layers of flavor in every cup.
Features of Bai Fu Shu Tuo 2006
- Combines the benefits of shu pu-erh and tuocha form
- The differing rates of change between the center and outer layers create a rich, multi-layered flavor
- Perfect for slow sipping, revealing velvety sweetness with subtle notes of fruit and lotus
Why This Tea is Unique
- Over 12 years ago, Bai Fu Shu Tuo still retained moisture from the fermentation piles, giving it a very different taste.
- After years of aging, the tea has become balanced, harmonious, and rich, with a long-lasting, smooth, multi-layered flavor that pu-erh enthusiasts appreciate.
Bai Fu Shu Tuo 2006 is a perfect example of a tea that improves with age — offering smooth, sweet, and layered flavors in every cup.
