What Exactly is Tea Fossil?

Winter, despite its chill, is a time for the soul to settle. During this season, a cup of hot tea is indispensable. For Longyuan Jun, the red, bright liquor and sweet, mellow taste of Pu-erh ripe tea bring an unmatched drinking experience. Discussions about “Tea Fossil” within the Pu-erh tea community have been ongoing. Some, even after tasting the most famous teas, still prefer the sweet and glutinous aroma of Tea Fossil, while others claim it’s not Pu-erh tea but rather pectin mixed with glutinous rice grass. So, what exactly is Tea Fossil? How has it caused such a stir?

In simple terms, Pu-erh ripe tea is beloved by tea enthusiasts for its reddish-brown color, pure flavor, aged fragrance, mild nature, and health benefits. The production process involves fermentation techniques such as “wet-piling.” Freshly picked tea leaves are initially processed into sun-dried raw tea, which then undergoes fermentation driven by its natural enzymes, eventually becoming ripe tea.

Tea Fossil is a high-grade Pu-erh ripe tea crafted through meticulous procedures. Unlike “Old Tea Nuggets,” it is not a by-product of ripe tea but is made from large-leaf spring tea buds from ancient tea trees in historic tea regions. Its appearance is finer, more compact, rounder, cleaner, and more durable than Old Tea Nuggets, with brighter liquor and a smoother, sweeter taste.

Compared to ordinary ripe tea, authentic Tea Fossil uses selected buds and leaves from Menghai’s ancient tea trees, harvested only within a 20-day period each year. Its fermentation process innovatively splits a traditional single-phase fermentation into three independent stages, extending the production period from two months to a year. The final product undergoes 36 intricate procedures over the span of a year, achieving a dust-free, ash-free, and highly durable standard that remains intact even after repeated brewing.

Patented Craftsmanship

The production process of Tea Fossil has received a national invention patent. Its high-quality raw materials, complex craftsmanship, innovative production techniques, and meticulous management by Longyuan Tea ensure that Tea Fossil is rich in pectin and other essential elements. These elevate its nutritional value, improve its taste, and increase its durability.

Tea Fossil meets both national and EU safety standards, ensuring a clean and safe product for tea enthusiasts. The abundant pectin content gives the tea a smoother, richer texture and sweeter flavor. En plus, Longyuan’s patented glutinous rice-scented fumigation process imparts a unique aroma, making it even more enjoyable for tea lovers.

Tea Fossil is highly durable. Its tightly compacted granules remain intact regardless of brewing method. Each granule can withstand extended brewing, delivering consistent sweetness and aroma from the first steep to the very last drop.