{"title":"Dark Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eDark tea (HeiCha) is a category of post-fermented teas with a history dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Originally, these teas were produced for export along the Silk Road, to territories on China's borders.\u003cbr\u003eHeiCha involves a fermentation step, but the specifics of the process vary by region. The most common method is the piling of wet leaves (WoDui). Cooked Pu'Er Tea (Shou) from Yunnan is also normally categorized as HeiCha.\u003cbr\u003eThese teas are traditionally made in the provinces of Sichuan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, and Guangxi, each with its own specific characteristics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2024-gushu-shou-puerh","title":"Chernozem","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.tea-details {\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n  padding: 10px 0;\n  margin: 0;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary {\n  font-weight: 600;\n  cursor: pointer;\n  letter-spacing: 0.05em;\n  list-style: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary::-webkit-details-marker {\n  display: none;\n}\n\n.tea-details p {\n  margin: 12px 0 0;\n  line-height: 1.7;\n}\n\n.tea-graph {\n  width: 100%;\n  display: block;\n  margin-bottom: 24px;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Chernozem tasting graph\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/2026_04_24_ChernozemWeb_graph_10x_9a5a358d-7fe2-43a7-a584-b9284f2b4701.png?v=1778700850\" class=\"tea-graph\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDETAILED TASTING NOTES\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm Leaf Smell: black soil, condensed milk, topinambur\u003cbr\u003eWet Leaf Smell: soil and roots after rain\u003cbr\u003eTexture Feel: thick, creamy, coating\u003cbr\u003eTaste: yam, milk, mifagao (steamed rice bun)\u003cbr\u003eFinish Feel: clean, silky smooth, a bit juicy\u003cbr\u003eEmpty Cup Smell: oat biscuits\u003cbr\u003eAftertaste: milk porridge\u003cbr\u003eBody Feel: energised, warm, clear-headed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eKEY INFO\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCategory: Shou (Cooked) PuErh Tea\u003cbr\u003eNative Name: 春南糯古树熟普洱\u003cbr\u003eHarvest: 2024 April\u003cbr\u003erigin: ancient forest around Shitou old village, NanNuo mountain, Menghai county, Xishuangbanna prefecture, Yunnan province, China\u003cbr\u003eCultivar: Da Ye Zhong (Big Leaf)\u003cbr\u003eAltitude: 1600m+\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eEFIM'S COMMENTS\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eShou puerh is rarely made from pure ancient tree (GuShu) spring material, such harvests are usually reserved for Sheng. Chernozem is a rare exception, and a strong case for why this should be done more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeeply mineral and consistently thick, the tea carries a rich, earthy profile that reminded us of fertile black soil (hence the name). A medium-to-strong fermentation gives it a creamy, dense texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the body feel is just as smooth and comforting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt drinks beautifully now, but also holds strong potential for aging, if you can resist finishing it first.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eBREWING SUGGESTION\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;GongFu brewing:\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;100°C\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;6g \/100ml\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;1st infusion: 15sec, next: +3sec\/infusion\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;12 infusions\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003eDon't be put off by the dark black liquor — this tea is easy to work with. It opens gradually over the first infusions and holds well across many brews.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eTEA ORIGIN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from an ancient garden on NanNuo mountain, with trees estimated between 300 and 800 years old, near the old Shitou village. The garden grows in a forest ecosystem where tea trees coexist with other plants. The trees, especially the older ones, have not been treated with fertilisers or pesticides for many years. This environment contributes to the depth and mineral character of the tea.\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003eThe producer manages the harvest and processing herself, with her family. I met her by chance in 2024, and her teas have consistently stood out, not just for their quality, but for the care and integrity she puts into them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eMUSICAL ASSOCIATION\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTRASHIII — INDUSTRIAL FUTURE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Tea Drunk Monkeys","offers":[{"title":"Small pouch - 70g | 28.9 € (0.41 €\/g)","offer_id":58015509971269,"sku":null,"price":28.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Sample - 15g | 6.9 € (0.46 €\/g)","offer_id":57431855006021,"sku":null,"price":6.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large pouch - 200g | 69.9 € (0.35 €\/g)","offer_id":58015510004037,"sku":null,"price":69.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/DSC07501-3.jpg?v=1780959183"},{"product_id":"2018-jingyang-fuzhuan-heicha","title":"Golden Loaf","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.tea-details {\nborder-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\npadding: 10px 0;\nmargin: 0;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary {\nfont-weight: 600;\ncursor: pointer;\nletter-spacing: 0.05em;\nlist-style: none;\ndisplay: block;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary::-webkit-details-marker {\ndisplay: none;\n}\n\n.tea-details p {\nmargin: 12px 0 0;\nline-height: 1.7;\n}\n\n.tea-graph {\nwidth: 100%;\ndisplay: block;\nmargin-bottom: 24px;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/2026_04_24_Golden_LoafWeb_graph_10x_b62661d0-c680-427c-bf51-2ae8fdf4697f.png?v=1779314836\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDETAILED TASTING NOTES\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDry leaf aroma: toasted almonds, clay, buckwheat bread\u003cbr\u003eWet leaf aroma: dry earth, bread, almonds\u003cbr\u003eTexture: medium, chalky yet coating\u003cbr\u003eTaste: chestnuts, malty kvass, dark sugar, hint of cinnamon, sunflower seeds, jujube\u003cbr\u003eFinish: soft and round, dry then juicy\u003cbr\u003eEmpty cup aroma: honey toast\u003cbr\u003eAftertaste: sunflower seed gozinaki\u003cbr\u003eBody sensation: warm, grounded\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eKEY INFO\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCategory: Dark Tea\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Name: 金花泾阳茯茶\u003cbr\u003eHarvest: Spring 2018\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Yiyang Town, Anhua County, Hunan Province; processed into Fu brick in JingYang, Shaanxi Province, China\u003cbr\u003eCultivar: Hunan Da Ye Zhong (Large Leaf)\u003cbr\u003eAltitude: 600-1000m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eEFIM'S COMMENTS\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost Fu teas on the market lean towards earthy, humid, with fermentation at the forefront — especially teas from AnHua (Hunan province). Fu teas from JingYang (Shaanxi province) are different: fruitier, nuttier, and noticeably cleaner — which I would attribute to Shaanxi's drier climate, shaping the storage and aging conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGolden flowers (JinHua) are present but not overpowering, which is rarer than one might think. They complement the tea without dominating it. Hand pressing also means there are no stems in the brick, and it breaks apart effortlessly. Honest quality at a price that doesn't do the tea justice, it's so good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like Fu teas and want to try something new, check out our Forest Saint-Germain — a unique white tea processed into a Fu brick (FuZhuan) by the same producer as Golden Loaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eBREWING INSTRUCTIONS\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGongFu Infusion:\u003cbr\u003e100°C\u003cbr\u003e7g \/100ml\u003cbr\u003e1st infusion: 10sec, subsequent: +5sec\/infusion\u003cbr\u003e15 infusions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoiled: Excellent for cooking — as an alternative or after GongFu infusion. Use 5-10g for 500ml and add 1-2 crystals of good mineral salt. Simmer over low heat and top up with water as needed. The longer the cooking, the thicker, darker, and sweeter the broth. Leave at least a third of the liquid in the pot and dilute with hot water as many times as you like.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the go: Put 5-10g in a one-liter thermos, fill with boiling water (100°C), and drink throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eTEA ORIGIN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFu brick (FuZhuan) is a type of tea that undergoes a unique fermentation, during which a fungus called eurotium cristatum develops inside the brick as characteristic golden spots, known as golden flowers (JinHua). JingYang, in Shaanxi province, where Fu tea is believed to have originated, has been perfecting this art for about six centuries, under the specific temperature and oxygen conditions that promote the development of golden flowers.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e JingYang Fu teas often use raw material (HeiMaoCha) from other regions, unlike AnHua, which almost always uses local tea. The raw material for this brick was harvested in AnHua, Hunan, according to a first-grade standard (one bud and two leaves), before going through kill-green (ShaQing) and initial drying. It was then transported to JingYang, where it was steamed, pile-fermented (WoDui) for two days, inoculated with the brand's own golden flower, and hand-pressed into bricks before 45 days of aging in dedicated chambers. Entirely handmade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of this tea with Tea Drunk Monkeys begins in Xi'An, the capital of Shaanxi province, where Efim serendipitously met a JingYang native who produces and sells his teas locally. He opened his shop just for us during the holidays, answered every question directly, and showed us what he and a close friend are quietly experimenting with. Their teas are almost impossible to find elsewhere in China, let alone abroad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eGOLDEN FLOWER CAUTION\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe golden spots you see in the brick are not mold in the harmful sense. This is eurotium cristatum, a fungal culture intentionally cultivated in the production of Fu tea for hundreds of years, valued for the depth it brings to the taste and for its purported digestive and metabolic benefits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe have encountered online reports from people with gluten sensitivity reacting to golden flower, although we have found no concrete evidence explaining this phenomenon. No gluten was used at any stage of this tea's processing. If you have known intolerances, we suggest starting with a small quantity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Tea Drunk Monkeys","offers":[{"title":"Small pouch - 100g  |  21.9 € (0.22 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494308165,"sku":null,"price":21.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sample - 20g | 4.9 € (0.25 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494340933,"sku":null,"price":4.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large pouch - 200g | 37.9 € (0.19 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494373701,"sku":null,"price":37.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Full brick - 450g | 75.9 € (0.17 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494406469,"sku":null,"price":75.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/DSC04649.jpg?v=1780480702"},{"product_id":"2023-da-gushu-jingmai-shou-puerh","title":"Le petit-déjeuner du dimanche","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.tea-details {\nborder-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\npadding: 10px 0;\nmargin: 0;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary {\nfont-weight: 600;\ncursor: pointer;\nletter-spacing: 0.05em;\nlist-style: none;\ndisplay: block;\n}\n\n.tea-details summary::-webkit-details-marker {\ndisplay: none;\n}\n\n.tea-details p {\nmargin: 12px 0 0;\nline-height: 1.7;\n}\n\n.tea-graph {\nwidth: 100%;\ndisplay: block;\nmargin-bottom: 24px;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"tea-details\" open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/2026_04_24_Sunday_BreakfastWeb_graph_10x_8c9e82a4-ae2f-4a0a-95d2-adeb8f53dd32.png?v=1779315021\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDETAILED TASTING NOTES\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScent of dry leaves: woody, cranberry, clay\u003cbr\u003eScent of wet leaves: raw almonds, oat milk\u003cbr\u003eTexture: medium-thick, mineral-chalky and slightly syrupy\u003cbr\u003eTaste: poppy seeds, whole wheat toast, wood, hazelnuts and toasted almonds\u003cbr\u003eFinish: dry then juicy, sweet\u003cbr\u003eScent of empty cup: hazelnuts\u003cbr\u003eAftertaste: Kurdish coffee\u003cbr\u003eBody sensation: energizing, clear mind\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\" class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eKEY INFO\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCategory: Cooked Pu-erh Tea\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Name: 景迈大古树熟普洱\u003cbr\u003eHarvest: Mixed spring\/autumn 2023\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Ancient forests of Nuogang and Baixiang, JingMai Mountain, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu'er City (Simao), Yunnan Province, China\u003cbr\u003eCultivar: Da Ya Zhong (Large leaf)\u003cbr\u003eAltitude: 1,300-1,550m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\" class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eEFIM'S COMMENTS\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium fermentation, the tea remains nutty and woody rather than turning completely dark. The perfect pu-erh to start the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\" class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003ePREPARATION TIPS\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGongFu Infusion:\u003cbr\u003e100°C\u003cbr\u003e6g \/ 100ml\u003cbr\u003e1st infusion: 10sec, subsequent: +5sec\/infusion\u003cbr\u003e9 infusions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the go: Put 5-10g in a one-liter thermos, fill with boiling water (100°C) and drink throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\" class=\"tea-details\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eTEA ORIGIN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJingMai Mountain, in Yunnan, is home to some of the world's largest ancient tea forests — five of them, covering about 1,180 hectares. These are not monocultures, but true living ecosystems, with about 1,500 species of native seed plants and 253 species of terrestrial vertebrates, within which tea trees have grown for centuries. We visited producers in many villages on the mountain and sourced two who stood out, both in Nuogang, JingMai's best-preserved ethical Dai village.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from the first producer we found there: a charismatic young man who artfully prepares tea and whose trees range from a hundred to truly ancient ages, so we call it what it is: old and ancient trees (Da\/GuShu). His teas always have an unusual character and never cease to surprise us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Tea Drunk Monkeys","offers":[{"title":"Small pouch - 70g  |  20.9 € (0.3 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494963525,"sku":null,"price":20.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sample - 15g | 5.5 € (0.37 €\/g)","offer_id":58015494996293,"sku":null,"price":5.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large pouch - 200g | 45.9 € (0.23 €\/g)","offer_id":58015495029061,"sku":null,"price":45.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/files\/DSC04579_6f92e2f6-1d42-4471-8715-474fae89a8f3.jpg?v=1780443190"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/7734\/6885\/collections\/DSC04649.jpg?v=1781024545","url":"https:\/\/teadrunkmonkeys.com\/en\/collections\/the-sombre.oembed","provider":"Tea Drunk Monkeys","version":"1.0","type":"link"}