How to choose a Yunnan tea category
Choose the tea type by processing method first, then compare flavor, format and sales channel.
All four core categories in the catalog come from Yunnan large-leaf material. What separates them is what happens after picking: whether the leaf is pile-fermented, fully oxidised, or only withered and dried.
| Tea category | Core process or classification | Typical style | Current catalog formats | Common sales channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Pu-erh | Sun-dried maocha without pile fermentation | Fresh, structured and origin-led; bitterness and sweetness vary by lot | 357 g cakes; 250–500 g loose leaf | Tea houses, specialist retail, collectors and wholesale ranges |
| Ripe Pu-erh | Pile-fermented Pu-erh | Smooth, mellow and dark-toned | 357 g cakes; 500 g loose leaf | Everyday retail, tea houses and wholesale ranges |
| Dian Hong Black Tea | Fully oxidised Yunnan large-leaf tea | Malt, honey and ripe-fruit notes, depending on the lot | 357 g cakes; 400–500 g loose leaf | Specialist retail, gifting and hospitality |
| Yunnan White Tea | Withered and dried with minimal handling | Soft sweetness and floral or honeyed notes | 357 g cakes; 144 g mini-tablet boxes | Retail, gifting, hospitality and online sales |
| Specialty Tea | Lot-specific material outside the four core categories | Distinctive leaf material and a lot-specific profile | 150 g loose-leaf pouches | Specialist retail, samplers and online sales |
The formats listed are the ones currently in the catalog. Harvest year, net weight and packing are confirmed in writing for each order, and samples are available before a wholesale order.
Browse the range: Yunnan Tea Catalog · Raw vs Ripe Pu-erh: what's the difference? · What Is Yunnan Large-Leaf Tea? How One Leaf Becomes Pu-erh, Dian Hong and White Tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Yunnan tea categories does Baodun Yanyu supply?
Raw Pu-erh, ripe Pu-erh, Dian Hong black tea, Yunnan white tea, and lot-specific specialty teas outside those four categories.
How do I choose between raw and ripe Pu-erh for a retail range?
Raw Pu-erh is not pile-fermented and stays origin-led, which suits tea houses, specialist retail and collectors. Ripe Pu-erh is pile-fermented and mellow, which makes it easier to sell into everyday retail.
What formats are available in each category?
357 g pressed cakes across the four core categories, plus loose-leaf and boxed formats between 144 g and 500 g depending on the tea. The format for your order is confirmed in writing before shipment.
