geomantic

Not too long ago, Upton Tea was having trouble sourcing Yunnan Gold tea because most of the production had shifted to Pu Erh teas. Well, now the bubble has burst and the effect on the composition of Yunnan’s tea production is anybody’s guess.  In my experience, there is some basis for the health claims made for Pu Erh teas, but I think most of it is psychological. Not that I care. I’m as succeptible to the placebo effect as anyone. But there is nothing like Pu Erh when you have a hangover or a particularly stressful day.  The market for Pu Erh will recover, or at least return to something more rational, eventually. I simply hope that the farmers can hang on without having to forgo much of their newfound prosperity.

A County in China Sees Its Fortunes in Tea Leaves Until a Bubble Bursts – NYTimes.com