An exquisite quality
Traditionally produced Anhua Dark Tea goes through a processing step which consists of drying the mildly post-fermented leaves over pinewood embers. This way of processing the tea leaves confers to them a unique soothing quality, combined with notes of pine resin, comparable to smokiness.
When I first encountered Anhua Dark Tea, it was this particular feeling which made me appreciate it so much. Processing the leaves in this way mellows them without taking away their vigor. The added smokiness gives Anhua Dark Tea a quality, which distinguishes it from other dark teas. Personally I find this subtle note of pine resin very satisfying.
Born out of necessity
This ancestral way of processing the tea leaves was developped out of necessity and local features. Indeed, the mild post-fermentation, in which the leaves are stock piled for about 48 hours is a consequence of Anhua County‘s relatively high humidity ratio. Moreover, the locally abundant pine trees are the ideal means for drying the leaves before they are stored or further compressed into various shapes.
Since Anhua Dark Tea is an ageing tea, the pine resin / smokiness quality will slowly evolve over time. Sensations of camphor and mint will gradually appear, while the smokiness takes the back seat.