Blog – Teaurchin

I’ve been a lifelong tea drinker but recently my life has taken several twists that has led me to becoming a tea collector & enthusiast, and now a tea blogger.... Read more...

Tall tea stories

Mountain legends & modern myths, enrich the appreciation of humble tea leaves.After a full day of tea appreciation, I was drunk on tea. We tried to take our leave but... Read more...

Is there pesticide in puer?

Biodiverse tea garden in Luo Shui Dong, Yiwu One of the reasons we love ancient tree puer, is the biodiversity of the tea gardens. Often growing in, or around natural... Read more...

Inside a Puer Tea Factory

A mountain of puer tea (not ours!) Have you ever dreamt of having an absurd amount of maocha in your living room? I know I have. This wonderful room is... Read more...

Chickens of Yunnan

Chicken dinner in Yibang A quick slit of the knife is followed by a flurry of commotion, the pitter patter of blood, then the slow, wretched spasms of death, before... Read more...

A visit to Ya Nuo village, on You Le mountain

You Le's ancient tea trees You Le 攸乐 is only an hour's drive from Jinghong, and with paved roads all the way, it is easy to access. This usually means... Read more...

2013 Spring Tea Safari

Belle and I are now back in Shanghai, together with 700 cakes of 2013 Spring puer that we made in Yunnan. This year's design theme is Warriors VS Scholars, which... Read more...

The world's oldest wild tea tree

The world's oldest tea tree After a long drive to the top of Da Hei Shan, aka "Big Black Mountain", we parked the car along side the neat hedgerows of... Read more...

Welcome to beautiful Jingmai!

Open Door festival in Jingmai - Autumn 2011 We arrived in Jingmai 景迈 just in time for the traditional Door-Opening Festival 开门节, a time of year when work stops, young couples... Read more...

The meaning of hand made

The puer that we produce under our brand "Cha Ren" 茶仁 is entirely hand made. Not just hand picked, but hand processed, from wilting, kill-green & rolling, to steaming, pressing & drying.... Read more...

The wondrous tea gardens of Mang Zhi

The long & winding road to Mang Zhi The great thing about dirt roads is they impart a sense of adventure and freedom. The more distance you put between yourself... Read more...

To live in Luo Shui Dong

The sign reads "1,000 year old ancient tea tree" Belle and I have a special affection for Luo Shui Dong, for it was here we learnt how to fry and roll... Read more...