Seasonal artisan hydrosol: Pu'er
A collaboration distillation with Fang Studio
Pu'er tea leaves undergo enzyme deactivation, twisting, sun-drying and rolling, followed by shaping in steaming, compressing and post-fermentation. Microorganisms and microbial enzymes during post-fermentation stimulate biotransformation of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds, resulting in unique taste and scent profile of Pu'er tea.
The Pu'er leaves that are distilled into this product is harvested from a single wild ancient tea tree (gushu) in a very natural, pristine, and undisturbed environment in the native lands of Lincang, Yunnan. This tea tree is estimated to be between 200 to 300 years old. It's a spring harvest from a good year where climatic conditions were favourable and allowed for the growth of quality picking, yielding tea that has good depth, persistency, body, and a sweet-tasting profile. What makes this tea really exceptional is that it is from a single tree from the wild, and not mixed leaves from cultivated tea plantation(s).
The processing of our Pu'er leaves does not involve a controlled and artificially induced fermentation process called wodui. This gushu danzhu is a raw pu’er that was sun dried, rolled, and undergone natural ageing over the years.
This is also a unique hydrosol as I couldn't find any research articles or brands/companies producing such of a quality raw Pu'er hydrosol. Due to this rarity, there isn't any information regarding Pu'er hydrosol that I could gather in terms of its therapeutic benefits on the skin and body. We can only generalise safely and conclude certain compounds that are hydrolysable, based on the constituents of the original raw material (raw pu'er leaves) and pu'er tea (aqueous extraction).
For topical skin use, apart from being the usual hydrating toning mist, it seems to carry more anti-oxidants and firming/tightening qualities due to Pu'er having more tannins than other teas. It also seems to have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting microbial and bacterial growth which can be helpful for acne problems and minor wound infections.
One can also drink it as a pu'er infused water by spraying 2-3 times into regular drinking water. You can enjoy the benefits of Pu'er after a meal as a soothing and wellness digestive aid, without worrying about caffeine intake as this compound cannot be found in the hydrosol (too heavy a molecule to be collected as a distillate).
This rare, aromatic hydrosol is steam distilled at my home studio, using raw Pu'er tea leaves from my friend Kenny, the tea practitioner behind Fang Studio. This is the First Distillate, meaning it possesses the most potent, therapeutic and medicinal qualities of Pu'er at its purest and truest form. What's extremely beautiful about this is that you are literally experiencing the soul of this particular wild camellia tea tree, aromatically.
If you are interested in tasting the gushu danzhu Pu'er leaves, please choose the Gift Box option where we will prepare a limited edition box set of the 33g bottle of Pu'er hydrosol with a 20g pack of Pu'er tea leaves. Into its fifth year of ageing, this tea continues to mature as it develops a more layered, rounded profile that evokes apricot, dried fruit, jujubes, and nuts. If stored well, the tea has the potential to age for decades to come, with even deeper layers of flavours and texture that will be coaxed out with the passage of time.
The packaging box is hand crafted by Taiwanese aborigines, using the sheaths of the betel nut palm tree, and is wholly natural, sustainable, eco-conscious, and reusable.
PLEASE READ: If you appreciate and want to experience First Distillate pure hydrosol, then choose the original Pu'er. If you prefer something lighter on your nose, I created a beautiful blend of Chinese rose (Rosa centifolia) hydrosol with Pu'er hydrosol. Go for this for that imperial concubine vibes~<3
Sources and further readings:
Chemical constituents and biological properties of Pu-erh tea
How to use: Use it as a face toner or anytime when you want it, or as a natural scented perfume mist on face and body. You can also use this hydrosol in drinking water for a Pu'er infused water.
Aromatherapy properties: Grounding, reduce anxiety and soothe a busy mind.
Skin benefits: Anti-aging due to high anti-oxidants, may help to reduce pore size, skin tightening, may show brightening effects, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti microbial. As a mouth gargle (diluted in water), it helps with preventing tooth decay and promote healthy gums and good oral health.
Health benefits (ingestion): Reduces oxidative stress, gentle digestive aid, antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antihypercholesterolemia, cytotoxic to cancer cells, protecting neuro cells, preventing obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease and improving metabolic disorders.
Scent: Warm and malty, lightly floral with undercurrents of sweet plums and dried apricots. On the skin, it lends a grounding character, suggesting a fleeting hint of wild forest as it slowly evaporates.
Ingredient: Camellia sinensis var. assamica leaf distillate (presumably assamica variety, we cant confirm)
Raw material origin:
Licang, Yunnan, China
Manufactured/production origin: Singapore
Extraction: The aromatic waters (first distillate) collected during steam distillation of raw Pu'er leaves
Plant part: Aged raw leaves
Best Before: Once opened, please use within 1 year as this is a fully natural product without the use of any preservatives. Otherwise, please refer to the best before date on the bottle label.
Storage:
If not using for more than 1 month, you may store in the fridge to help extend its shelf-life. Keep away from direct heat, light/sunlight and refrain from opening bottle cap around wet, moist areas to prevent contamination.
