Anhua Dark Tea

Anhua Dark Tea, hailing from Anhua County, Yiyang City, Hunan Province, China, holds a prestigious place in the world of tea. With its rich history dating back centuries, Anhua Dark Tea is not only a national geographical indication product but also a cornerstone of Chinese tea culture.

The origins of Anhua Dark Tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where it was first recorded in 856 AD as "Qujiang Thin Slices" in historical texts. Initially served as a royal tribute, Anhua Dark Tea officially emerged in 1524 during the Ming Dynasty, solidifying its position as a significant tea variety. By the late 16th century, Anhua Dark Tea had already secured a leading position in China and was designated as the official tea for northwest China, extensively exported to regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, and even Russia.

Throughout history, Anhua Dark Tea has evolved from loose-leaf tea to compressed bricks, known as "brick tea." These bricks, including Fu Zhuan, Hei Zhuan, Hua Zhuan, and Qing Zhuan, were instrumental in facilitating long-distance trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.

Legends and Stories

One fascinating legend surrounding Anhua Dark Tea involves its mysterious healing properties. According to folklore, in ancient times, a severe epidemic ravaged the land, and villagers despaired of finding a cure. An old tea farmer, upon realizing the potential of his dark tea, brewed a potion using the tea leaves. Miraculously, those who drank the tea recovered, earning Anhua Dark Tea the reputation of a panacea.

Another story speaks of a wise old tea master who, through years of experimentation, discovered the unique fermentation process that gives Anhua Dark Tea its distinctive flavor and health benefits. It is said that he stumbled upon the conditions that promote the growth of "golden flowers" (coronophora coronata), now recognized as a hallmark of high-quality Anhua Dark Tea.

Cultural Significance

Anhua Dark Tea is deeply embedded in Chinese cultural heritage. It symbolizes not just a beverage but a lifestyle and a connection to the land and its people. The intricate process of tea making, from planting to harvesting, processing, and finally brewing, embodies the essence of traditional craftsmanship and respect for nature.

Moreover, Anhua Dark Tea played a vital role in promoting economic and cultural exchanges between China and neighboring countries, particularly along the historic Tea Horse Road. This ancient trade route not only transported tea but also facilitated the spread of ideas, technologies, and religions.、

Culturally, Anhua Dark Tea is often gifted during festivals or special occasions, signifying hospitality, respect, and good fortune. Its unique packaging, such as the hand-woven bamboo baskets used for Qianliang Tea, adds an element of artistry and tradition to the gift.

Modern Appreciation

In modern times, Anhua Dark Tea continues to gain recognition globally for its health benefits and rich flavor. Scientific studies have confirmed its ability to aid digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and boost the immune system. With the rise of health consciousness, Anhua Dark Tea has found a new audience among tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Tea houses and high-end cafes now offer carefully curated blends and aged teas, appealing to those seeking a unique and sophisticated tea experience. Additionally, the traditional tea-making processes, including the manual rolling, steaming, and pressing, have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage, attracting visitors and tea lovers alike to witness the artistry firsthand.

As Anhua Dark Tea continues to evolve while staying true to its roots, it serves as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and innovation in preserving and promoting tea culture. Whether enjoyed for its historical significance, cultural value, or health benefits, Anhua Dark Tea remains a cherished symbol of China's rich tea heritage.

Shipping Methods, Duration Estimates & Fees

1. Shipping Methods

4px as our logistics partner to ship out AllenTeas products. They will choose the carrier that they think works best for our customers.

Where does AllenTeas ship to? For tea products, the following countries can be shipped：

North America
Canada, Mexico, United States

South America
Brazil, Chile, Colombia

Europe
Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Asia
Afghanistan, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan

Africa
Egypt, Morocco, South Africa

Oceania
Australia, New Zealand

Delivery Scope Notes:

United States: Mainland, all territories outside the mainland, and overseas military postal addresses.
United Kingdom: Mainland and the Channel Islands, Isle of Man.
France: Mainland only, postal codes starting with 01-95. Delivery to overseas territories is not available, including Corsica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte.
Other countries: Mainland only.

2. Duration Estimates

The expected delivery time is between 8 to 20 days for most countries, unless stated otherwise during checkout.

Fulfillment time takes 1-3 business days.

Total transit time is: Fulfillment time(1-3 business days) + Transit Time(8-20 days).

3. Fees

We offer free shipping sitewide.

Note: We always work hard to dispatch your order as fast as possible (usually the next working day), but we can’t control delays due to custom clearance (especially during the shopping high season). When you place an order, please take into account the possibility for delays.

Order Processing Speed

All products offered in our online store are in stock unless stated otherwise. Thus, orders are processed usually the next business day. Orders placed during the weekend are processed on Monday.

Unfortunately, in rare cases products may run out of stock. In such situations, we'll have to wait for restocking and it may take 2-4 working days to process your order.

Shipping Confirmation with Trace & Trace Number 

All orders are packed with care to guarantee safe delivery. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you a shipping confirmation the next day by email, which includes an online tracking number. If you haven't received your shipping confirmation, please check if it landed in your junk folder.

All parcels can be tracked on the Track your Order page. Once your parcel has arrived in your country, you may also use the tracking number on the website of your local post.

Customs

From 1 July 2021, the Valued-Added Tax (VAT) on cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities in the European Union (EU) has to be applied on all goods that are sold online to EU.

For most non-EU countries you don't have to pay any taxes when receiving the parcel. However, sometimes local authorities may require you to pay custom taxes. As an importer, you're responsible for paying customs taxes and import fees if the arise.

For many EU countries, we've started offering tax inclusive shipping, meaning you don't have to pay tax when you receive the parcel. Taxes are included, if its stated in the selected shipping method.

Country Specific Information

South Korea:For shipping to South Korea please make sure you mobile phone number is correct as this will be used for identification purposes at the customs. Ideally, please also fill in a Personal Customs Clearance Code in the VAT field of the address details. For more information about personal custom clearance code you can visit this page on customs.go.kr.

Brazil: For shipments to Brazil it's mandatory to add your personal Tax number to your shipping details. You may fill your tax number in the second address line or the company name field.

Japan: For shipments to Japan it's mandatory to provide the shipping address in Japanese language.

Türkiye: Personal ID number (tax number) is required. You may fill your tax number in the second address line or the company name field.