Wild Purple Raw Puerh

A rare wild purple raw puerh made from the Ye Sheng tea varietal growing naturally in the forests of Dehong, Yunnan. Produced in extremely limited quantities, this spring 2022 harvest is a unique opportunity to experience one of China's most sought-after wild teas.

£16.00 GBP

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Size 75g

Delivery & returns

Free standard delivery for orders over £40. We aim to deliver your Waterloo Tea order quickly and securely. For full details on shipping options, delivery times, and our returns policy, please visit our Delivery Information page (link the delivery information page).

Packaging

Our teas are designed with sustainability in mind. Loose leaf teas and tea bags are packed in recyclable pouches, and our tea bags are fully compostable, perfect for your home food waste bin.

Storage

Store your tea in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep pouches sealed between uses to preserve flavour and character. Most teas remain enjoyable after their best-before date, though blends with added flavours may lose their intensity after this date.

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Description

Wild Purple Raw Puerh is produced from the Ye Sheng (wild tea) varietal of Camellia sinensis, a distinct tea plant that grows naturally in the tropical forests of Dehong, western Yunnan. Unlike cultivated tea gardens, these trees develop without intensive agricultural management, producing leaves that are highly prized for their individuality and character.

Harvested between late February and early March 2022, only the young purple buds were selected before being processed into a traditional raw puerh. Production is extremely limited, making teas of this style increasingly difficult to source. Among puerh enthusiasts, wild purple teas have developed a reputation for offering a different perspective on Yunnan tea, showcasing the diversity that exists beyond conventional cultivated varietals.

Origin

This tea comes from Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in western Yunnan Province, close to the border with Myanmar. The region's warm climate and extensive forest cover provide an ideal environment for wild tea trees, many of which grow alongside native vegetation rather than in managed plantations.

The tea is produced from the Ye Sheng varietal, often translated as "wild tea". While genetically related to cultivated tea, these trees have developed under natural conditions and are recognised for producing teas with a distinctive identity. Wild Ye Sheng teas remain relatively uncommon and are highly regarded among puerh collectors seeking unusual regional expressions.

Processing

Only the young purple buds harvested in early spring are used to produce this tea. After picking, the buds are gently withered before being sun-dried using the traditional shai qing method, a defining stage in raw puerh production. This natural drying preserves the enzymes within the leaf, allowing the tea to continue developing character over time.

Unlike ripe puerh, raw puerh does not undergo an accelerated fermentation process. Instead, the tea retains its fresh, living character and has the potential to evolve with careful storage. The minimal processing highlights the qualities of the wild Ye Sheng material while preserving its ability to mature naturally over the years.

Brewing the Perfect Cup

Leaf: 1g per 100ml water

Water Temperature: 95°C

Infusion Time: 3–4 minutes

For gongfu brewing, use a higher leaf-to-water ratio with short initial infusions of 10–20 seconds, gradually increasing the brewing time with each infusion. This tea is particularly rewarding when brewed multiple times, with the character evolving throughout the session.

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Wild Purple Raw Puerh