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Banzhang
Old Growth Tea Forests are self-sustaining, biodiverse ecosystem
untouched by clear-cutting or mono-agriculture. Centuries old tea trees
grow side by side with other indigenous trees and plants in a dense,
subtropical mountain forest environment. There are few such tea forests
remaining in the world and most are found in southern Yunnan, primarily
in Xishuangbanna and parts of Simao and Lincang prefectures.
Banzhang Mountain is located in southwestern Xishuangbanna at 1800 m
above sea level. This is a natural, wild type tea forest. An assortment
of wild medicinal herbs and plants grow around the base of the tea
trees contributing to Banzhang tea’s rich, distinctive flavor.
The Hani people of Lao (“old”) Banzhang and Xin (“new”) Banzhang
villages are descendants from a branch of the ancient Qiang people, a
nomadic tribe from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. They are famous in
Xishuangbanna for their abilities in harvesting and producing tea.
Rich and strong with a lingering sweetness and subtly smoky, camphor aroma.
Puer Tea leaves.
Origin: Banzhang Mountain, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China.
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