Tea Type · Camellia Sinensis
CharacterRich · Aged · ComplexDark Tea
Dark teas (hei cha) undergo a deliberate post-fermentation step, like the pile-fermentation of Liu Bao from Guangxi or the pressing of fu bricks. They brew dark, smooth, and earthy with a natural sweetness, and improve with age.
Iconic Expressions
Popular Dark Teas
Canonical examples of dark tea from core producing regions, each profiled with flavor, origin, and brewing guidance.
Organoleptic Architecture
Flavor Profile of Dark Tea
Signature tasting notes that define this style across origins and producers.
- Earthy
- Smooth
- Woody
- Sweet
Craft & Methodology
How Dark Tea Is Made
The production sequence, from fresh leaf to finished tea.
- Step 01
Harvest
- Step 02
Fixing
- Step 03
Pile fermentation
- Step 04
Pressing
- Step 05
Aging
Botanical Trajectory
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