Hei Cha

Explore Hei Cha, also known as dark tea, through our curated selection from China’s Hunan and Sichuan provinces. This collection includes Liu An, Liu Bao, and carefully aged selections that showcase the breadth of the style.

Unlike Western black tea, producers create Hei Cha using a wet piling process. They apply water to loose tea leaves and allow controlled fermentation to occur in warm, humid conditions. So, while black tea gets its unique color and flavor from oxidation, Hei Cha relies more on this fermentation process. Gradually, microbial fermentation changes the compounds in the tea leaves. It transforms the flavors and adds a great deal more complexity.  This method deepens aroma, smooths texture, and produces the dark, polished appearance that defines this tea category. The longer the tea ages, the richer and more intense it becomes, with Hei Cha continuing to evolve over the years.

Time softens bitterness and removes the astringent vegetal flavors common in younger tea. It builds earthy depth and enhances body, resulting in a fuller, more rounded mouthfeel. Hei Cha is an exceptional variety, made for discerning tea drinkers. It also serves as a great introduction to dark tea. So, if you’re looking for a complex tea to add to your collection or want to sample post-fermented tea for the first time, check out our selection of Hei Cha below.

We sourced all of these products from esteemed vendors in age. We certified that they have been properly grown, harvested, fermented, and stored. Our unique selection process and focus on the highest quality mean that our Hei Cha stock is often very limited and tends to go quickly.