An Overview of Jingmai Tea Area

Content

• Part 1: The Geographical Location of Jingmai Mountain
• Part 2: Characteristics of Jingmai Pu-erh Tea
• Part 3: Pure Jingmai Tea is Known for Its “Three Fragrances”
• Part 4: Jingmai Famous Teas

Pu-erh tea is mainly produced in three major tea areas, namely Xishuangbanna, Pu’er (Simao), and Lincang. Among these areas, Jingmai is the most representative of the Pu’er (Simao) tea area and is also the earliest origin of Pu-erh tea in the Pu’er tea area.

Jingmai Mountain is one of the six major tea mountains in China, and it is also one of the oldest tea forests discovered in China so far. According to research, tea cultivation in this area has a history of nearly 2,000 years.

There are ancient tea gardens here that have been planted for thousands of years. All the tea trees in this area are grown in these ancient gardens, many hundreds of years old. This is the largest ancient tea garden found in Yunnan Province. The more distinctive hills in this area include Mengben (勐本), Dapingzhang (大坪掌), Bangbo (帮波), Mangjing (芒景), and so on, and each hilltop has a unique and different taste.

The Geographical Location of Jingmai Mountain

Since the Ming Dynasty, tea from Jingmai Mountain has been a royal tribute and sold worldwide along the Tea Horse Road.

The Jingmai Ancient Tea Garden is home to ancient tea trees that have grown without human intervention. These trees thrive in the primitive jungle, relying solely on natural fertility and free from the contamination of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Jingmai Mountain was successfully added to China’s “World Cultural Heritage Tentative List” in November 2012. Later, in March 2015, it was recommended by the country to UNESCO for application as a World Cultural Heritage. This was the first time China applied for “World Heritage” recognition for a tea mountain. Jingmai Mountain is an ancient tea mountain with the most comprehensive qualifications in the Pu’er tea industry. It is also the most iconic ancient tea mountain in the Yunnan Pu’er area.

In many places in Yunnan where Minorities live, people enjoy drinking this kind of Roast tea.
Roasting tea in a fire pond is actually the best way to represent the tea culture of Yunnan.

* In many places in Yunnan where Minorities live, people enjoy drinking this kind of Roast tea.
Roasting tea in a fire pond is actually the best way to represent the tea culture of Yunnan.

Jingmai Da Zhai

* Jingmai Da Zhai

Characteristics of Jingmai Pu-erh Tea

1. The tea trees in Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden are mainly hundreds of years old.

2. The Jingmai tea plantation boasts an exceptional ecological environment. The tea trees are allowed to grow naturally without any artificial dwarfing and grow alongside ancient trees on the mountain. These trees have faced many challenges throughout their long lives, which is one of the reasons why Jingmai tea has such a strong and unique aroma. You can see wild fungi, moss, vines, and other epiphytes growing on the branches of the trees, adding to their distinctive character. Additionally, you will find a parasite that looks like crab legs, locally known as crab legs.

This parasitic plant on ancient tea trees, crab legs, has been used by people on Jingmai Mountain to treat various inflammations.

*This parasitic plant on ancient tea trees, crab legs, has been used by people on Jingmai Mountain to treat various inflammations.

3. This tea has a strong fragrance and an intense, wild charm unique to Jingmai. As one of the oldest types of tea, it grows in the forest and possesses a potent mountainous and wild charm. Additionally, it has a strong and long-lasting floral scent, with the orchid fragrance being particularly exclusive to Jingmai.

4. The sweetness of Jingmai is both immediate and long-lasting.

5. Jingmai tea has a low level of astringency, with a subtle bitterness that is not overpowering.

6. Tea production in Jingmai has undergone a full twisting and rolling process, resulting in tightly rolled, thin, and black tea leaves. Additionally, ancient trees grow in the mountains, shielded from light, which results in a longer growth cycle and a darker, more vibrant color.

7. This tea can be steeped multiple times without losing its flavor.

8. If stored properly, the tea’s orchid fragrance will intensify over time.

Pure Jingmai Tea is Known for Its “Three Fragrances”

1. Dry Fragrance. When smelling the tea cake, there is a very obvious orchid aroma, which can only be produced by high-quality wild tea.

2. Prominent and long-lasting brewed tea Fragrance. The aroma of Pure Jingmai tea is prominent and long-lasting, with a subtle orchid fragrance that lingers through multiple infusions.

3. Lingering fragrance that remains at the bottom of the cup. This aroma is the most authentic representation of the tea’s natural essence. Being grown in the mountains, Jingmai tea has a strong mountainous aroma, reflected in the long-lasting fragrance at the bottom of the cup. The scent can still be smelled even after more than ten brews.

Jingmai Famous Teas

1.Jingmai Dazhai Tea – 景迈大寨茶
Jingmai Dazhai is the largest tea mountain in the Jingmai tea area, and it has the most extensive tea plantation. It’s a village committee located under the jurisdiction of Jingmai Village. Jingmai Dazhai tea is the most iconic tea representing the Jingmai tea area. The tea leaves are thick and fat, with a subtle bitterness that quickly transforms into sweetness.

2. Mang Jing Cun Tea -芒景村茶
Mang Jing Village is a Lahu village in Wenggake Township, a significant tea-producing area in Lancang County, Pu’er City. The tea leaves produced in Wenggake are dark green and have neat strips. It has a quick, sweet taste and is less bitter, making it very enjoyable. The wild tea trees in the village, some of which are hundreds of years old, are considered the most precious.

3. Nuogang Ancient Tree Tea-糯岗古树茶
The ancient tea trees in Nuogang Village grow on Shi Tou Shan and have always been well protected by the locals. Covering an area of several hundred acres, these trees are renowned for their tall stature and long leaves. The dried tea leaves are tight, producing a golden and bright tea soup. The taste is relatively bitter, but it gives a sweet, long-lasting aftertaste. It’s an ancient tree tea that is worth collecting and drinking.

4.Jingmai Xiaozhai Tea -景迈小寨茶
Jingmai Xiaozhai is the oldest village in Jingmai and the second largest village in the Jingmai Tea Area. Jingmai Xiaozhai tea is characterized by fat and strong leaves that produce a golden and bright soup color. The tea has a light bitterness that quickly gives way to a long-lasting sweetness and a unique orchid aroma. It is an ancient tree tea with a high yield and excellent quality.

5. Pasha Tea – 帕沙茶
Pasha Village, located in Gelanghe Township (格朗和乡), is the largest Lahu village committee comprising two villages, New Pasha and Old Pasha.

6. Bipa Zhu Ancient Tree Tea – 碧帕竹古树茶
Bipa Zhu Ancient Tree Tea has fat leaves, yielding a bright golden brew. It offers a high orchid aroma with a light bitterness that quickly transforms into sweetness, and it is a rare ancient tree tea.

7. Jingmai Baita -景迈白塔
Jingmai Baita’s ancient tree tea grows at an altitude of 1,700 meters. The tea leaves are thick and tight, with visible pekoe on their appearance. When brewed, it has a translucent honey-yellow color and offers a sweet, delicious taste with a light bitterness, followed by a quick, long-lasting sweetness.

8. Yannong Tea -岩弄
Yannong Village is a Lahu village committee located in Gelanghe Township. The dry tea from Yannong has a tight and smooth texture, while the tea has a yellow and translucent soup with a high and long-lasting aroma. The bitterness of the tea is light, followed by a quick, long-lasting sweetness.

9. Laka Ancient Tree Tea – 腊卡古树茶
Laka Village Committee is a Dai village committee in Gelanghe Township. The Laka Ancient Tree Tea is a rare and high-quality tea that features thick, tight stripes and abundant pekoe. Its tea soup has a bright, golden color, followed by a strong orchid aroma and a quick yet long-lasting sweetness. The tea is made from ancient Laka trees and is highly regarded as a precious delicacy.