In the realm of botany, there is no such term as “ancient tree tea.” The term “ancient tree tea” originates from the context of “ancient tea trees,” referring to finished tea products made from the fresh leaves picked from these ancient tea trees.
Ancient tea trees generally refer to tea trees that have a relatively long growth history, without a clear standard for age. They are commonly understood to be tea trees that have grown for around a hundred years or more. Currently, there is no scientifically accurate method to calculate the age of tea trees; most estimates are based on historical records, legends, or calculations.
Ancient tea trees are not necessarily large in size, and some larger tea trees may not be very old. Tea research experts Yu Fulin and Wang Pingsheng planted tea trees using seeds they collected in 1981, which were transplanted in 1982. These trees now stand over 8 meters tall with trunks measuring over one meter in circumference. In less than 40 years, they have surpassed many people's definition of a century-old ancient tea tree.
The popularity of ancient tree tea has emerged over the past decade, coinciding with the rise of Pu'er tea from specific mountains and pure-leaf teas. Prior to this, no official body in the tea industry used tree age as a significant criterion for pricing or assessing quality. The popularity of ancient tree tea originated from a grassroots movement, defined by tea merchants, tea tasters, and consumers.
In 2007, the Pu'er tea market experienced a downturn. Some manufacturers sought to differentiate themselves from larger factories and blended teas by focusing on mountain-grown ancient tree teas. This approach gradually led to the development and refinement of the value proposition for ancient tree teas.
According to Huang Bingsheng's book, “An Overview of Yunnan's Ancient Tea Tree Resources,” there are approximately 329,680 acres of existing ancient tea tree resources in Yunnan, but their annual output only accounts for 5% of the province's total tea production. Ninety percent of the so-called ancient tree teas circulating in the market merely bear the name, and official institutions lack effective methods to regulate and authenticate the authenticity of ancient tree teas.
Most importantly, the age of an ancient tea tree does not directly correlate with its quality. Returning to the principles of botany and considering the tea as a beverage, the actual taste and safety standards (such as pesticide residues) are crucial criteria for selecting tea.
For consumers, when purchasing tea, it is essential to look beyond the labels and focus on sensory experiences and personal preferences. If the tea doesn't taste good or provide a satisfying experience, and if you don't enjoy it, what use is the age of the tree? It would merely be a misguided pursuit of trends.
Originally published in Pu'er Magazine
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