
Pu-erh Tea (Pu’er) — Ripe & Raw, Bulk Wholesale from Yunnan
Pu-erh tea (普洱茶, Pu’er) is the post-fermented specialty of Yunnan Province, made from large-leaf varietal sun-dried maocha. We supply both ripe (shou, wet-piled) and raw (sheng, naturally aging) Pu-erh as loose leaf, 357 g beeng cha cakes, bricks and mini tuocha — with custom pressing, wrapping and private-label cotton paper. Each lot ships with COA and testable fermentation degree for ripe material.
Product Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| English name | Pu-erh Tea (Pu’er / Puerh), dark tea |
| Chinese name | 普洱茶 (云南普洱) |
| Category | Dark tea (post-fermented), GB/T 22111 |
| Origin | Yunnan: Xishuangbanna, Pu’er City, Lincang |
| Forms | Loose leaf, 357 g cakes, 250 g bricks, 100 g mini tuocha, OEM shapes |
| Main markets | Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, Chinese communities worldwide |
| Minimum order | 500 kg loose leaf / 3,000 cakes per recipe |
Grades & Styles — How to Choose
| Grade / Style | Fermentation & form | How to identify |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe (Shou) loose / cake | Wet-piled 45–70 days | Deep reddish-brown liquor, smooth, woody-sweet, no fishy smell |
| Raw (Sheng) cake | Sun-dried maocha pressed, natural aging | Yellow-green liquor when young, brisk with returning sweetness (hui gan) |
| Aged / vintage | 3+ years natural or controlled storage | Mellow, camphor-wood notes, dark ruby liquor |
Liquor: ruby red (ripe) to golden (young raw), clear | Aroma: aged wood, jujube, camphor | Taste: thick, silky, sweet with lasting huigan
Buyer checklist: for ripe Pu-erh always request the pile-fermentation degree and check for off-smell (“pile odor” should be gone after 3–6 months resting); for raw cakes confirm the spring/autumn blend ratio and pressing weight tolerance ±5 g.
Technical Parameters (per lot COA supplied)
| Parameter | Specification | Method / Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 9.5% (loose) / ≤ 12% (pressed) | GB 5009.3 |
| Total ash | ≤ 7.5% | GB 5009.4 |
| Aflatoxin B1 | Not detected (LOD 0.5 ppb) | LC-MS/MS per lot on request |
| Tea polyphenols | ≥ 10–15% | GB/T 8313 |
| Pesticide residue | EU MRL (EC 396/2005) compliant | SGS / Intertek per lot |
Packing & Supply Terms
- Cakes: 357 g wrapped in cotton paper, 7 cakes in a bamboo shell (tong), 84 cakes per carton
- Loose leaf: 25–30 kg kraft paper bags with PE liner
- Private-label wrappers, neifei tickets and gift boxes available (OEM)
- Lead time: stock recipes 7–10 days; custom press & wrap 20–30 days
- Payment: T/T (30/70) or L/C at sight; FOB Xiamen / Shenzhen
Certifications & Export Documents
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin (CO / Form A / RCEP as applicable), Phytosanitary Certificate, per-lot COA (moisture, ash, pesticide residue EU MRL Reg. EC 396/2005), Health Certificate. Halal certificate available for Islamic markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) Pu-erh?
Raw Pu-erh is sun-dried maocha pressed and aged naturally — brisk and astringent when young, mellowing over years. Ripe Pu-erh is wet-piled (controlled fermentation 45–70 days) to mimic aged character — dark ruby liquor, smooth and woody-sweet, ready to drink now.
Can you do private-label cakes with our design?
Yes — we press custom shapes and weights, print your cotton paper wrapper, neifei ticket and gift box. MOQ for custom wrapper is typically 3,000 cakes per design.
How should Pu-erh be stored during transit and in my warehouse?
Keep cartons dry and ventilated, away from odors; relative humidity below 70%. We can add moisture-proof liners for tropical destinations.
Do you test for aflatoxin?
Yes, LC-MS/MS aflatoxin B1 test can be arranged per lot — a common requirement for EU and Middle East importers of dark tea.
What is the MOQ?
500 kg for loose leaf, 3,000 cakes for a custom-pressed recipe. Stock recipes can be mixed within one container.
Request a Quote
Contact Smileaf Tea (Xiamen, China) for FOB prices, free samples (50–200 g, courier collect) and OEM/private-label solutions. Related products: Specialty Tea Guide, Tieguanyin Oolong, Export Compliance Guide
