Country of Origin: China.
Region: Yunnan Province.    
Grade: Toucha.
Altitude: 2000 – 4000 ft. above sea level.
Manufacture Type: Formed tea, weight 100g. 
Cup Characteristics: Compressed green tea with a faint origin distinct character.  Legend has it that this tea cured “tired  heads” after a night of revelry.
Infusion: A lightish tea.  Leaves can be brewed multiple times.
Ingredients:  Luxury black tea

This ancient variety of tea is grown from a big leaf tea varietal, (Camellia assamica), grown in Yunnan province which is sometimes referred to as the “Kingdom of Tea”.  It is said that in Yunnan there is a tea tree of this variety growing over 200 feet tall that is more than 1700 years old.   
Although it is not known exactly when Toucha pods were first produced, they do have a long and rich history.  Like tea bricks, Toucha tea pods are made by compressing steamed tealeaves into a form.  Its compact shape, and the fact that as a variety of Pu-erh, Toucha generally improves with age meant that like tea bricks, the tea traveled exceptionally well and was even used as currency along the ancient spice caravan routes of China. 

But why the round bowl shape of the pods?  Well, legend has it that in parts of ancient China people believed that the heavens were shaped like an upturned bowl with the stars painted inside.  And the tea, with its sweetish earthy flavor and uplifting character, came to be associated with the earth itself – (in fact, the tea is known as “earth tea” in some parts of China).  Being a spiritual people, the makers of the tea began pressing it into the cup-like shape of the heavens.  So processed, the tea came to signify the “oneness” of the universe. 
 Try a cup for yourself - break off a piece of a large pod.  Savor the musty scent of this unique tea and ponder the universe, or any other subject of your choice – like your next tea order! 

Hot tea brewing method:  Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of broken Large Toucha for a 3-cup teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). This tea is best enjoyed on its own although a dash of milk can help open the earthy character of this tea.

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