Health-giving Dark Tea

Chinese tea lovers know there are six types of Chinese teas: green, black, dark, yellow, white, and oolong. Among them, dark tea mainly includes Hunan dark tea and Yunnan Pu’er tea. And people see them as ‘brothers’ due to their similar history, shape, and health benefits.

It’s not common to see dark tea retailers on the famous Maliandao Tea Street. But I did find one on the basement of Beijing International Tea Centre. The shop is run by two ladies. One comes from Anhua, the hometown of Hunan dark tea. The other comes from Yunnan, home of the Pu’er tea.

The two first met in Yunnan, and almost as if by fate, immediately became friends. They soon decided to open a shop together in Beijing to sell the ‘brotherly teas’.

Dark tea is a fermented tea whose health benefits are known in all Oriental countries. Japanese call it ‘slim-keeping tea’, Koreans call it ‘beautifying tea’, and Chinese people call it ‘wholesome tea’. Drinking dark tea can help you lose weight, sober up, improve digestion, and lower your blood pressure.

Prices vary by the tea’s age. For casual drinkers, you may try a 2007 two kg brick of dark-flower tea for RMB 230. Whereas a two kg brick of 1992 dark brick tea would set you back RMB 1680.

What I appreciated

Healthful Hunan dark tea, Yunnan Pu’er tea

What customers appreciate

Health-giving Chinese tea