1. Do you have seasonal sales or bulk order discounts?

We aim for a "fair pricing" model. Because we prefer to focus our energy on sourcing and quality rather than constant marketing, we set our prices at a reasonable level and adjust them only according to wholesale market fluctuations. This ensures a transparent and fair experience for every customer, every time you visit.

• Seasonal Sales: Our promotions are strictly limited to Black Friday and the Chinese Lunar New Year. During the Lunar New Year holiday (approximately 10–15 days), we are unable to ship orders. To reward our customers' patience during this shipping hiatus, we offer a special discount.

• Large Order Discounts: We generally do not use discounts to attract customers or boost sales volume. In many cases, discounts can unintentionally encourage impulsive buying, leading people to purchase something they may not truly want or may later regret. For this reason, we don't offer promotional discounts to new or returning customers. 

  (For our royal customers with first-hand experience of our products, services, and shipping—and confidence in them—when you wish to purchase in bulk (over 1 kg for loose-leaf tea or more than one stack for compressed tea), whether for resale or personal consumption, please feel free to reach out. We will be happy to calculate a special price to help you save more.)

• Loyalty Rewards: Instead of one-off promotions, we provide reward points equal to 5% of every order. Please remember to register for our "Points and Rewards" system to claim these.

A Note for Newcomers: We strongly encourage you to try samples first and make comparisons to find what suits your taste preferences. If a tea you are interested in has no sample option, please feel free to reach out. While we cannot guarantee it for every tea, we are actively working to add a sample option to each item in our collection.

2. I am a newcomer to your store (or Chinese tea). How do I choose from such a large collection?

It is easy to feel confused or struggle when facing a large collection. We generally recommend that newcomers follow these principles:

• Start with Samples: Small-scale testing is the best way to learn without commitment.

• Follow the Data: Look for teas with more reviews or those that are frequently wishlisted.

• Price-Friendly Entry: Begin with our more accessible options to establish your baseline.

• Regarding Puerh and Dark Tea:

  • From Young to Aged: We suggest starting with younger teas before moving to aged ones. Younger sheng puerh tea is less influenced by various storage conditions.

  • Listen to Your Body: There is a saying that young puerh tea is not recommended for heavy daily drinking because it can be too "cold" or "cooling" (寒凉) and may stimulate the stomach. Based on both theory and our own experience, we agree. We recommend you find your own balance according to your physical condition—do not force it and do not just follow the trends.

• Start with "Benchmarks": Begin with classic recipes from large factories to understand the industry standards.

  • Sheng (Raw) Puerh: Examples include 7542, 8582, or 7532 from DaYi; 8653 from XiaGuan; 7548 from LaoTongZhi; Mu Shu Cha or Qiao Mu Wang from MengKu RongShi; and Na Ka, Yi Wu, or Chen Sheng Yi Hao from ChenShengHao.

  • Shou (Ripe) Puerh: Examples include 7572 from Dayi, Xiao Fa Tuo from Xiaguan, or 7578 from LaoTongZhi.

  • Note: These are just a few examples for reference; there are many other excellent benchmark teas from these and other factories.

Expand Your Vision: You are welcome to list us alongside other tea vendors in the market. We do not believe it is ideal for customers—even loyal ones—to limit their field of vision to a single seller. Horizontal comparisons will help you improve your tea experience. You never know how your preferences will evolve; it is a truly enjoyable journey. You may start as a beginner, but one day you may become an influential participant in the tea community. A healthy market attracts informed consumers and participants; a shrinking market does the opposite.

3. Why are there "tea oil" stains on the wrapper?

It is very common to find yellow or brownish oily spots on the paper wrappers of puerh tea, especially with shou (ripe) puerh or aged sheng (raw) puerh. Please do not worry—this is a natural occurrence and usually a positive sign.

• The Cause: Tea leaves contain natural essential oils and fats. During the pressing process and subsequent aging, these oils can be released from the leaves. Since puerh wrappers are typically made of thin, breathable paper, they act like a "blotting sheet," absorbing these oils over time.

• A Sign of Quality: In the tea community, these stains are often called "tea oil" (茶油). Many experienced collectors view them as a sign that the tea is rich in material and has been stored in a healthy, appropriately humid environment that allows the tea to "breathe" and transform.

• The Difference Between Oil and Mold: * Tea Oil: Usually appears as flat, brownish, or amber-colored translucent spots. It has no fuzzy texture and smells like the tea itself (earthy or woody).

  • Mold: Usually appears as fuzzy, white, or colorful patches with a distinct musty or "stinking sock" smell.

• Safe to Enjoy: Tea oil stains do not affect the safety or flavor of the tea. In fact, they often indicate a tea that will have a thicker, smoother "mouthfeel" due to its high oil content.

Our Advice: If the tea smells clean and looks healthy once you unwrap it, the stains on the paper are simply a "footprint" of the tea's natural aging journey.

Here is the revised FAQ regarding the presence of powder and damaged wrappers, focusing on clarity and the natural reality of aged tea.

4. Why is there fine powder (粉末) on the tea or holes in the wrapper?

If you notice tiny holes in the paper or a fine, dust-like powder on the surface of your puerh cake, do not be alarmed. This is a very common phenomenon in the world of aged tea, usually caused by "Paper Pests" (纸虫).

• What they are: These are tiny, harmless insects (often called Booklice or Silverfish) that feed exclusively on the paper wrapper and the organic starch glue used in packaging. They are attracted to the natural fibers of traditional handmade paper
  

• A Sign of Natural Storage: In the tea community, these "bites" are often seen as a sign that the tea was stored in a healthy, chemical-free environment. If the storage were treated with harsh pesticides, these insects would not survive.
  

• Is the tea still safe to drink? Yes. Paper bugs do not affect the quality, flavor, or safety of the tea. They are non-toxic and do not carry diseases.
  

Our Advice: Simply brush away the powder and any stray paper fragments before brewing. As a standard practice, always perform a "rinse" or "wash" (the first quick steep that you discard) with boiling water. This cleans the leaves and prepares them for brewing. If the damaged wrapper bothers you, you can re-wrap the cake in plain acid-free tissue paper or a cotton bag.

5.  What is the description of the differences between tea grades?

Here is another article that introduces the details of these differences. Click to view.

A Guide to Our Tea Grades: From A to S+++++

6. How do the grades of tea materials differ in puerh tea?

Here is another article that introduces the details of these differences. Click to view.

The Differences in Tea Material Grades Used in Puerh Tea