This tuocha is unusual because it is hand picked and hand pressed from whole leaves from ancient tea trees. It comes from a company that has been around for 280 years and which provided tea for the Emperor and his court. The tea comes from one of the most famous areas for puer tea. Tuocha offers a convenient size for tea making. It has an extremely clean, smooth, deep, earthy taste. The color is a rich dark amber. The finish is sweet and clean. Each square weighs 8 grams (0.28 oz) and can make 10 cups of tea. Each box contains 14 pieces.

To see a slideshow of where this tea comes from, visit Yang Su's 2011 Trip to Xishuangbanna, China.

How to brew a cup: Remove paper. Place one tuocha in the teapot. Soak the tea in *205 degree F (96 C) water for 30 seconds to loosen, awaken and clean the tea. Discard water. Add 1 cup (8oz) 205 degree F (96 C) water and brew 3 to 10 seconds. Serve. Tea may be brewed 10 times.

How to brew a full teapot: Place 1 or 2 tuocha in the pot. Very briefly rinse with 205 degree water, then discard water. Add 205 degree water, brew 1-2 minutes and serve.

*This temperature may be approximated by:
1) Heating water until big bubbles form or
2) Removing a pot of boiling water from its heat source and letting it sit for 2 minutes.