EN
Cha Hua Shi (Chinese: 茶化石, pinyin: Cháhuàshí) is one of the varieties of high-quality pu'er from ancient trees, created by synthesizing traditional and modern processing of raw materials. The product was first released and patented by the Longyuan Tea Company (Chinese: 龙园茶业, Lóngyuáncháyè). Only spring leaves and buds from trees over 100 years old from the Menghai area are suitable for its production, which undergo a complex production process. Therefore, Chahua is a rather rare product. According to shape and size, they are divided into: Chahuashi (Chinese: 茶化石, pinyin: Cháhuàshí) - tea fossils, Suyinzi (Chinese: 碎银子, pinyin: Suìyínzi) - literally translated as "silver coin", etc.
During the fermentation process, the tea leaf secretes pectin, which firmly glues the tea leaves together. The stuck pieces are removed from the total mass of pu'er, since during storage the tea pieces become increasingly dense. Due to their shape, such fossils are called "change silver", because their shape resembles ancient money. Recently, the names suyinzi and chahuashi have begun to be used for small and medium-sized tea heads. In fact, tea fossils belong to the type of pu'er tea heads, but of higher quality, since the fermented pieces of shu pu'er undergo additional processing. We can say that they are the best examples of tea heads that can withstand up to 30 steeps.
The process of producing tea fossils includes 36 stages lasting about a year. This is how much time it takes to create an ideal product. Tea undergoes fermentation 3 times. At the first stage, excellent raw materials are selected, during the fermentation process, pectin is allowed to glue the leaves together, this creates a thick, rich aroma. At the second stage, ripening occurs, and at the third, a special aroma appears, which indicates readiness.
They say about this product: "Without trying Chahuashi, how dare you say that you understand pu-erhs." The drink from them is warm in nature, having a beneficial effect on digestion. Its long-term use improves the functioning of the stomach, promotes weight loss, lowers blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol in the blood, is used to prevent coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Suitable for use by middle-aged and elderly people, especially with a weak (cold) stomach. In addition, during the fermentation process, tea is enriched with probiotics and has high nutritional value.
The shape of real chahuashi is round and smooth, the color is brown or dark brown, shiny and uniform, without traces of mold, high density, without other impurities. A high-quality product has a pronounced smell of pu-erh tea and a light aroma of sticky rice. Counterfeits usually have a strong aroma of rice and almost no aroma of tea, or have a musty smell.