Liubao black tea undergoes an extended fermentation. The extra fermentation prepares the tea to improve for years or decades, like a fine wine. The tea, which is rich with notes of berries, earth and wood, takes its name from the small town in the east of the Guanxi provence, the sole source of the Liubao tea varietal.

Maosheng Liubao 5612

Gold Medal, China Tea Expo, Shanghai 2007. $24.99 + $3 shipping

Maosheng Liubao 5622

King Tea Medal, China International Tea Industry & Tea Culture Expo, Shenzhen 2007. $24.99 + $3 shipping Maosheng Liubao 5626

Gold Medal China International Tea Industry Expo, Beijing 2007. $24.99 + $3 shipping

Something old, something new

Bold, new flavors in aged black teas

C hina is a land of many enchanting regional black teas. In a country of primarily green-tea drinkers, two black teas, Liubao (below), from the Guangxi province, and Pu'er, (bottom right) from the Yunnan province are gaining national prominence -- particularly in modern cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Both are aged teas that continue to refine their taste over the years, like a fine wine.

Maosheng Liubao 5623
Gold Medal, China International Tea Industry Expo, Guangzhou 2006. $24.99 + $3 shipping

Loose leaf Pu'er. Pu'er (also spelled Pu-ehr and Pu'ehr) comes in loose and compressed forms. These loose leaf Pu'ers range in age and character. Each has been carefully selected from dozens of competitors for its taste and value.

Three loose leaf Pu'ers:
Red label -- A fabulous price for this 2-year-old introductory premium Pu'er. 3 10-gram cans for $3.49 or 6 for $5.99.

Tan label (Gongting No.2) -- This smooth 9-year-old Pu'er is a great value for 3 10-gram cans for $7.49 or 6 for $13.99.

Green label (Gongting No.2) -- We liked this 15-year-old Pu'er better than several more expensive top-shelf teas. 2 20-gram cans for $9.89; 4 for $18.49 or 5 for $21.99.