Lang Cang Gu Cha Purple Bud “Zi Ya” Pu-erh Mini Teacake

Lang Cang Gu Cha Purple Bud “Zi Ya” Pu-erh Mini Teacake (Raw/Ripe Puerh)

Zi Ya Purple Bud (紫芽) Puerh refers to a special type of Puerh tea made from a rare, purple-hue variant of Yunnan Large leaf variety. This special batch of Zi Ya tea from the famous puerh brand  “ Lang Cang Gu Cha” is harvested in 2023, comes in mini cakes, available in both raw and ripe puerh. Each piece weighs 7-8 grams and can be easily divided into two for convenient consumption.

What is Zi Ya tea?

The term “Zi Ya”  originated from Lu Yu’s “Tea Bible” which states that “茶者，紫為上”, which means “the best tea is purple.”

As a gift from nature, Yunnan Zi Ya tea is a special kind of large-leaf variety from Yunnan, resulting from natural variations caused by climatic and soil factors that cannot be replicated by human intervention. It is derived from genetically mutated puerh tea trees in the high mountain tea gardens of Yunnan and grows in densely wooded areas with misty clouds. Zi Ya tea is very rare, with a production rate of less than 2% compared to regular puerh tea, which contributes to its reputation as the “noble tea”.

The unique characteristic of Zi Ya is that the young buds and stems exhibit a purplish-red color. Typically, only the first bud to the third leaf displays this purple hue, which fades with maturity as the leaves develop more green pigmentation.

Tasting Profiles of Zi Ya Tea

Raw Puerh Zi Ya – floral, honey, sweet

Ripe Puerh Zi Ya – high sweetness, honey notes, molasses, rich and silky mouthfeel

The raw puerh tea made from Zi Ya has a special fragrant scent, featuring floral and honey notes. Its infusion has a golden color, delivering a smooth and sweet taste with a lingering aftertaste. Both the aroma and flavor are distinct from regular sun-dried raw puerh tea. It has a sweet fragrance that is pure and prolonged, accompanied by the unique varietal aroma of Zi Ya.

The ripe pu-erh tea made from Zi Ya has layers of tea fragrance that are rich and complex, with a clear and bright red infusion. The taste is sweet and full-bodied, resembling the rich, smooth texture of rice soup.

Special compounds of Zi Ya Tea

Puerh Zi Ya tea is often referred to as “the golden tea” because its rarity is comparable to that of gold, making it a precious raw material in the eyes of many. One feature of Zi Ya tea is its high anthocyanin content in fresh leaves, reaching 0.5% to 1%, which is 50 to 100 times that of ordinary tea leaves, earning it the title of “king of anthocyanins.” Anthocyanins are antioxidants capable of eliminating excess free radicals in the body, exhibiting antioxidant properties 50 times greater than vitamin E.

Weight: 1box includes 5 pcs of mini cake

Raw Puerh Box: 7g/piece of mini cake, total 35g/pack;

Ripe Puerh Box: 8g/piece of mini cake, total 40g/pack

Tea Farm Location: Pu’eh, Yunnan Province, China

Harvest Time: Spring 2023

Tea Liquor Colour:

Raw Puerh – apricot colour

Ripe Puerh – amber-brown colour