2012 Li Yuan Long "Shi Liang Cha" Anhua Hei Cha

The 2012 Li Yuan Long "Shi Liang Cha" Anhua Hei Cha is a special blend of tea grown in Anhua County, Hunan Province of China. The tea is harvested in Spring and then expertly processed into a rich, dark Hei Cha. The tea's unique taste, rich aroma and energizing properties create a truly memorable experience. Shi Liang Cha (十两茶) is a smaller cousin of Bai Liang Cha (百两茶) and the largest Qian Liang Cha (千两茶). Shi Liang Cha is 365 grams (0.365kg) Bai Liang Cha is 3650 grams (3.65kg) Qian Liang Cha is 36,500 gram (36.5kg) Shi Liang Cha process is similar to Qian Liang Cha, but on a smaller scale. Qian Liang tea is compressed in a long column (typically 36.5kg) through a laborious process that involves steaming the leaves and funneling them into a three layered cylinder of woven bamboo.  Then a team of 5 to 8 people will simultaneously compress the tea using leverage and then tighten each section with thick bamboo stripling.  Once firmly compressed the Qian Liang "logs" are dried in the sun