Pu-erh – The ancient fermented tea once sold for more than its weight in gold

The first time I tried anything similar to pu-erh tea I believe was in Korea, sampling the ferment of a volcanic mountain tea. That twinge of taste adventure on my tongue–it spurred a sense of curiosity, wide-eyed accomplishment, even.

That’s what happens when you try something new, of course. It’s good for the soul.

So I investigated the ancient roots of tea fermentation, and discovered ancient tea from China that sometimes sells for more than its weight in gold, at thousands of dollars–an ancient tea once reserved for emperors only.

Pu-erh tea must be extremely carefully crafted: there’s a big difference, but a fine line, between fermentation, and tea going bad, and only the most careful experts, like those who craft high-end wines and heritage cheeses, know how to create this product.

So what’s it like? Pu-erh is a savory, musty tea that pairs well with sharp cheeses and mushroom dishes, undergoing a rigorous fermentation process after oxidation. Toasted bread highlights simmer under elemental and earthly notes. My tea is lovingly guarded for three years, sourced from some of the purest places in China–and, lucky for you, not priced at emperor-level prices.

This pure product contains only one ingredient: powerful fermented black tea.

• Ingredients: Fermented black tea
• Origin: Fujian, China
• Antioxidant Level: Low
• Caffeine Level: Medium

My supplier, 3Teas, sources the best teas from around the world–I can literally trace every tea back to its organic, humane origin! They are on a mission to show people that you don’t need sugar and chemicals to have great taste. Quality and ethical business is reflected in the shipping price, which ranges from $10 to $15 for most of the US and Canada: we use humane shipping options such as the Canada post, instead of rushed warehouses with alleged human rights violations (*cough cough prime*), and we ship from exotic and beautiful international locations. We believe you can taste the difference in quality, and that it’s worth paying for.

We use recyclable/reusable stainless steel tins (made in USA) which keep tea fresh for up to 2 years. You may also choose to use white stand up pouches if you prefer, which are cheaper given the rising price of steel, but less environmentally-conscious. For maximum tingles, check out the ASMR video on YouTube that corresponds to your tea! The tins are lovely for tapping, and the pouches make a great crinkly sound.

What are you waiting for? Pick your package and your size below! If you came here from an ASMRtist or radio personality, part of your purchase goes to help support their continued creation of great auditory sensory content.

Don’t forget to pick up a mug with your tea! Check out our Etsy shop for mugs to get a code for 10 percent off your tea.