The Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, has just been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List—the first tea culture site to earn this global recognition! 🌏🏆
🔥 Roasted Tea: A Flavor Steeped in History
For the Blang people, an ethnic group native to the region, tea isn’t just a drink—it’s a sacred tradition. Their unique roasted tea method involves mixing tea leaves with charcoal in a gourd ladle, stirring until fragrant, then boiling the leaves in a clay pot. The result? A smoky, aromatic brew believed to boost health and connect drinkers to their ancestors.
🙏 A Cup of Gratitude
The first sip of roasted tea is always offered to Pa Aileng, the Blang’s legendary tea ancestor who taught them to cultivate tea trees over 1,000 years ago. "This recognition protects our heritage," says local tea farmer Li Wei. "It’s like our ancestors’ wisdom is finally being heard."
With over 1.13 million ancient tea trees still thriving, Jingmai Mountain is now a living museum of biodiversity and cultural pride. 🌳💚
