Issue No. 3, 2007

The Art Of Tea Magazine

Introduction to the Three Ages of Puerh Tea

This era of tea includes major Puerh tea cakes that were produced prior to the formation of the People's Republic Of China.

The Antique Age
This era of tea includes major Puerh tea cakes that were produced prior to the formation of the People's Republic Of China. All of the manufactores from that time were private business and none had anywhere near the output of those today. ... 
The Masterpiece Era
The start of the Masterpiece Era began with the formation of the state-run factories, like Manghai, which is still in texistence today. At that time, the "New China" just established. In order to take over the control of the entire tea industry and stabilize the production of tea, "China Tea Corporation" was created. ... 
The Seven-son Era (Qi Zi Bing)
The Seven-son Era began in 1972 with the formation of the now-famous "China National Native Produce & Animal By-products Import & Export Corporation", referred to so often as the "CNNP". The new agency would take control over all the Puerh production during the period. ...