Basic Introduction to Yangloudong Brick Tea
The city of Chibi is located in the hilly area where the Mubu Mountains meet the Jianghan Plain. Here, there is ample rainfall, long hours of sunlight, and fertile soil, providing a unique environment for tea cultivation. The history of tea picking dates back over two thousand years. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Chibi was designated by the imperial court as a “tea garden household,” and during the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was established as a “tea trading” center.
Product Characteristics
Aged dark brick tea becomes more fragrant with time, richer and purer; when stored under specific regional conditions, aged dark brick tea can develop a distinct almond aroma. In terms of taste, aside from a mellow sensation, there's a coarseness that isn't bitter, an oldness that isn't bland, a robust and lingering sweetness, and a lasting aftertaste known as the “Dong flavor.” When sipping the tea, one can experience different layers of structure at the moment of entry into the mouth, while swirling it around the tongue, upon swallowing, and afterward. In terms of color, aside from being bright orange-red and visually appealing, aged dark brick tea has a clear and transparent amber hue.
Rice brick tea is characterized by well-defined edges, a beautiful shape, and clear and elegant patterns on its surface. Its color is a lustrous black, and when brewed, it produces a deep red and bright infusion. It has a mellow aroma and a rich taste, and is known for its ability to quench thirst, refresh the mind, warm the body, ward off cold, and promote weight loss. When paired with an intricately carved wooden frame, the finished product becomes a precious tea-based craft item.
History and Folklore
The history of Yangloudong brick tea is extensive, tracing back to its predecessor, the Maohe tea, which originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Yangloudong is universally recognized as the birthplace of dark brick tea. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chibi's Yangloudong rose to become an international town, commonly referred to as “Little Hankou,” and Chibi became one of the three major sources of the “Tea Horse Road.” In the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the tea houses “Sanyuchuan” and “Jushengchuan” especially pressed the character “Chuan,” representing the three springs of Yangloudong, onto their brick tea as a product emblem, earning great trust among the grassland herders.
Awards and Honors
In 2009, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce recognized the company's “Chuan” brand trademark as a “National Famous Trademark.”
In December 2009, the Chibi Municipal People's Government applied to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for protection of Yangloudong brick tea (Dong tea) as a national geographical indication product.