Fermented tea: Difference between revisions

Fermented tea
Fermented tea
	Golden melon pu'er tea
Chinese	黑茶
Literal meaning	Black/dark tea
Hanyu Pinyin	hēichá
Hokkien POJ	hek-tê
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	後發酵茶
Simplified Chinese	后发酵茶
Literal meaning	post-fermented tea
Hanyu Pinyin	hòu fājiào chá

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 00:41, 31 August 2024

Fermented tea (also known as post-fermented tea or dark tea) is a class of tea that has undergone microbial fermentation, from several months to many years. The exposure of the tea leaves to humidity and oxygen during the process also causes endo-oxidation (derived from the tea-leaf enzymes themselves) and exo-oxidation (which is microbially catalysed). The tea leaves and the liquor made from them become darker with oxidation. Thus, the various kinds of fermented teas produced across China are also referred to as dark tea, not be confused with black tea, which is actually referred to as "red tea" (hong cha, 红茶) in Chinese. The most famous fermented tea is pu'er produced in Yunnan province.^[1]^[2]

The fermentation of tea leaves alters their chemistry, affecting the organoleptic qualities of the tea made from them. Fermentation affects the smell of the tea and typically mellows its taste, reducing astringency and bitterness while improving mouthfeel and aftertaste. The microbes may also produce metabolites with health benefits.^[1]^[3] Additionally, substances like ethyl carbamate (urethane) may be produced.^[4]

The fermentation is carried out primarily by molds. Aspergillus niger was implicated as the main microbial organism in the pu'er process,^[1]^[5]^[6] but that species identification has been challenged by comprehensive PCR-DGGE analysis, which points to Aspergillus luchuensis as the primary agent of fermentation.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

Most varieties of fermented teas are produced in China, its country of origin, with several varieties also produced in Korea^[11] and Japan.^[12] In Myanmar, lahpet is a form of fermented tea that is eaten as a vegetable, and similar pickled teas are also eaten or chewed in northern Thailand and southern Yunnan.^[13]

History

The early history of dark tea is unclear, but there are several legends and some credible theories.

For example, one legend holds that dark tea was first produced accidentally, on the Silk Road and Tea Road by tea caravans in the rainy season.^[14]^[15] When the tea was soaked in rain, the tea transporters abandoned it for fear of contamination. The next year, nearby villages suffered from dysentery, and decided to drink the abandoned mildewed tea in desperation. The legend concludes that the tea cured those suffering, and quickly became popular.

Other historical accounts attribute the first production of dark tea to the Ming dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries. It may have been first traded by tea merchants much earlier than the legends state, across the historical borders of Han and Tibetan cultural areas.^[15]

Varieties

Fermented teas can be divided according to how they are produced. Piled teas, such as the Chinese post-fermented teas, and the Toyama kurocha produced in Japan, are fermented with naturally occurring fungus under relatively dry conditions. Other fermented teas, called pickled teas, are fermented in a wet process with lactic acid bacteria. Pickled teas include miang from Thailand and awabancha from Japan.^[16] A third category, including the Japanese goishicha and Ishizuchi kurocha, is fermented with the piled and pickling methods successively.^[17]

China

Fermented tea originated in China, where it is commonly known as hei cha (黑茶) or dark tea. Hei cha is produced in many areas of China, mostly in the warmer southern provinces. It is commonly pressed into bricks or cakes for ageing.^[1]^[2]

The most famous and important producing areas and varieties include:

Anhui: Liu an lan cha (安徽六安籃茶, Anhui Lu'an basket tea)
Guangxi: Liu bao cha (廣西六堡茶, Guangxi Liubao tea, often sold as 松黑茶, loose dark tea)
Hubei: Qing zhuan cha (湖北青砖茶, Hubei green brick tea)
Hunan: Fu zhuan cha (湖南茯磚茶 (黑茶), the famous fu zhuan 茯磚茶 “brick tea”)
Jingyang, Shaanxi: Fu zhuan cha (陕西泾阳茯茶 (黑茶), the famous fu zhuan 茯磚茶 “brick tea”)
Sichuan: Lu bian cha (四川路边茶, Sichuan border tea)
Tibet: Zang cha (藏茶, Tibetan tea, often called Tibetan brick tea)
Yunnan: Pu'er cha (雲南普洱茶, either "raw" sheng pu'er 生普洱 or "ripened" shu pu'er 熟普洱)

Shapes include:

Bamboo leaf logs
Cakes, or bing cha (餅茶)
Bricks, or zhuan cha (磚茶)
Loose, in baskets
Bird nests, or tuo cha (沱茶), usually pu'er tea
Squares, or fang cha (方茶)

Japan

Several distinct varieties of fermented tea are produced in Japan.^[12] Toyama prefecture's kurocha is Japan's only piled tea, similar to the Chinese post-fermented teas. Toyama kurocha is traditionally prepared by boiling in water, adding salt and stirring with a whisk as in a traditional tea ceremony. It is consumed on religious occasions or during meetings in the Asahi area of the prefecture.^[18] Awabancha (阿波番茶), produced in Tokushima prefecture, and batabatacha, like the Toyama kurocha associated with Asahi, Toyama, are made from bancha, or second flush tea leaves, with bacterial fermentation.^[19] Batabatacha has been found to contain vitamin B₁₂, but in insignificant amounts for human diets.^[20] Goishicha (碁石茶) from Ōtoyo, Kōchi and Ishizuchi kurocha grown at the foot of Mount Ishizuchi in Ehime prefecture are made by fermenting the tea in a two step process, first with aerobic fungi, then with anaerobic bacteria.^[17]^[21]

Korea

Tteokcha (떡차; lit. "cake tea"), also called byeongcha (병차; 餠茶; lit. "cake tea"), was the most commonly produced and consumed type of tea in pre-modern Korea.^[22]^[23]^[24] Pressed tea made into the shape of yeopjeon, the coins with holes, was called doncha (돈차; lit. "money tea"), jeoncha (전차; 錢茶; lit. "money tea"), or cheongtaejeon (청태전; 靑苔錢; lit. "green moss coin").^[25]^[26]^[27] Borim-cha (보림차; 寶林茶) or Borim-baengmo-cha (보림백모차; 寶林白茅茶), named after its birthplace, the Borim temple in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province, is a popular tteokcha variety.^[28]

Edible pickled tea

Though the early history of tea is unclear, it has been established that for centuries people have chewed tea leaves.^[29] Few peoples today continue to consume tea by chewing or eating.^[13]

In Northern Thailand, a pickled tea product called miang (เมี่ยง) is chewed as a stimulant. Steamed tea leaves are kept pressed into sealed bamboo baskets until the anaerobic fermentation produces a compact cake with the desired flavor. The fermentation takes four to seven days for young leaves and about a year for mature leaves.^[30] Miang is related to the Thai and Lao street snack miang kham.^[31]

Pickled tea known as lahpet is widely consumed in Burmese cuisine, and plays an important role in Burmese ritual culture. After fermentation, the tea is eaten as a vegetable.^[13]

A similar pickled tea is eaten by the Blang people of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan, China, on the border with Myanmar and Laos.^[32] The tea, known locally as miam and in Chinese as suancha (酸茶), is first packed into bamboo tubes, then buried and allowed to ferment before eating.^[33]

Production

During fermentation, the yeast in the mixture converts sugar to alcohol. But then, bacteria take over and convert that alcohol into acetic acid (vinegar) which is what gives kombucha its tangy taste. However, some residual alcohol can be left behind. In commercially produced kombucha, the amount is very low, typically less than 0.5% alcohol by volume - which means it can be labelled as non-alcoholic. But homemade kombucha, or kombucha that's fermented for a longer time, can have slightly higher traces of alcohol.^[34]

Many fermented teas do not arrive on the market ready for consumption. Instead, they may start as green teas or partially oxidized oolong-like teas, which are then allowed to slowly oxidize and undergo microbial fermentation over many years (comparable to wines that are sold to be aged in a cellar).^[35] Alternatively, fermented teas can be created quickly through a ripening process spanning several months, as with Shu Pu'er. This ripening is done through a controlled process similar to composting, where the moisture and temperature of the tea are carefully monitored. The product is "finished" fermented tea.^{[citation needed]}

Fermented teas are commonly sold as compressed tea of various shapes, including bricks, discs, bowls, or mushrooms.^[36]^{[better source needed]} Ripened pu'er teas are ripened while loose, then compressed. Fermented teas can be aged for many years to improve their flavor, again comparable to wines. Raw pu'er tea can be aged up to 50 years in some cases without diminishing in quality, and ripened pu'er can be aged up to 10 or 15 years. Experts and aficionados disagree about the optimal age.^{[citation needed]}

Many Tibetans and Central Asians use pu'er or other fermented teas as a caloric and micronutrient food, boiled with yak butter, sugar and salt to make yak butter tea.

Ageing and storage

Post-fermented tea usually gets more valuable with age. Dark tea is often aged in bamboo baskets, bamboo-leaf coverings, or in its original packaging.

Many varieties of dark tea are purposely aged in humid environments to promote the growth of certain fungi, often called "golden flowers" or jin hua (金花) because of the bright yellow color.^[37]^[38]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Mo, Haizhen; Zhu, Yang; Chen, Zongmao (2008). "Microbial fermented tea–a potential source of natural food preservatives". Trends in Food Science & Technology. 19 (3): 124–130. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2007.10.001.
^ ^a ^b Lv, Hai-peng; Zhang, Ying-jun; Lin, Zhi; Liang, Yue-rong (2013). "Processing and chemical constituents of Pu-erh tea: A review". Food Research International. 53 (2): 608–618. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2013.02.043.
^ Ling, Tie-Jun; Wan, Xiao-Chun; Ling, Wei-Wei; Zhang, Zheng-Zhu; Xia, Tao; Li, Da-Xiang; Hou, Ru-Yan (2010). "New Triterpenoids and Other Constituents from a Special Microbial-Fermented Tea—Fuzhuan Brick Tea". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 58 (8): 4945–4950. doi:10.1021/jf9043524. ISSN 0021-8561. PMID 20307093.
^ Tang, A. S.; Chung, S. W.; Kwong, K.; Xiao, Y.; Chen, M. Y.; Ho, Y. Y.; Ma, S. W. (2011). "Ethyl carbamate in fermented foods and beverages: Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong population in 2007–2008". Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance. 4 (3): 195–204. doi:10.1080/19393210.2011.605524. PMID 24786007. S2CID 1852027.
^ Gong, Jia-shun; Zhou, H.J.; Zhang, X.F.; Song, Shan; An, W.J. (2005). "Changes of Chemical Components in Pu'er Tea Produced by Solid State Fermentation of Sundried Green Tea". Journal of Tea Science. 25 (3): 126–132.
^ Abe, M.; Takaoka, N.; Idemoto, Y.; Takagi, C.; Imai, T.; Nakasaki, K. (2008). "Characteristic fungi observed in the fermentation process for Puer tea". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 124 (2): 199–203. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2008.03.008. PMID 18455823.
^ Mogensen, J.M.; Varga, J.; Thrane, U.; Frisvad, J.C.; Imai, T; Nakasaki, K (2009). "Aspergillus acidus from Puerh tea and black tea does not produce ochratoxin A and fumonisin B₂". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 132 (2–3): 141–144. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.04.011. PMID 19439385.
^ Varga, J.; Frisvad, J.C.; Kocsubé, S.; Brankovics, B.; Tóth, B.; Szigeti, G.; Samson, R.A. (2011). "New and revisited species in Aspergillus section Nigri". Studies in Mycology. 69 (1): 1–17. doi:10.3114/sim.2011.69.01. PMC 3161757. PMID 21892239.
^ Haas, Doris; Pfeifer, Bettina; Reiterich, Christoph; Partenheimer, Regina; Reck, Bernhard; Buzina, Walter; Samson, R.A. (2013). "Identification and quantification of fungi and mycotoxins from Pu-erh tea". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 166 (2): 316–322. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.07.024. PMC 3161757. PMID 21892239.
^ Hong, Seung-Beom; Lee, Mina; Kim, Dae-Ho; Varga, Janos; Frisvad, Jens C.; Perrone, Giancarlo; Gomi, Katsuya; Yamada, Osamu; Machida, Masayuki; Houbraken, Jos; Samson, Robert A. (2013). McCluskey, Kevin (ed.). "Aspergillus luchuensis, an industrially important black Aspergillus in East Asia". PLOS ONE. 8 (5): e63769. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...863769H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063769. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3665839. PMID 23723998.
^ Moon, Doo-Gyung (2 April 2020). "The Characteristics of Korean Traditional Post-Fermented Tea (Chungtaejeon)". Bioactive Compounds in Nutraceutical and Functional Food for Good Human Health. doi:10.5772/intechopen.91855. ISBN 978-1-83880-887-7.^{[predatory publisher]}
^ ^a ^b Hua-Fu Wang; Xiao-Qing You; Zong-Mao Chen (2002). Zhen, Yong-su (ed.). Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential. Taylor & Francis. p. 104. ISBN 9780203301272. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Yamamoto, Takehiko; Juneja, Lekh Raj; Chu, Djoin-Chi; Kim, Mujo, eds. (1997). Chemistry and Applications of Green Tea. CRC Press. p. 6. ISBN 9780849340062. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ Teas, Vicony. "Dark Tea – Hei Cha". Retrieved 4 November 2012.
^ ^a ^b Tea Net. "Hei Cha". Teanet.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
^ Organizing Committee of ISTS (1991). Proceedings of the International Symposium on Tea Science. p. 95.
^ ^a ^b "Effect Of The Flavor Component The Pu-er Tea In Aging Period" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ Kawakami, Michiko; Shibamoto, Takayuki (1991). "Volatile Constituents of Piled Tea: Toyama Kurocha" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ "Two Fermented Japanese Banchas". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ Raloff, Janet (28 January 2004). "Bacteria Brew a B Vitamin Boost". Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ "Saijo City Sightseeing Information". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ Cheong, Kyoung; Cho, Hee-sun (2006). "The Customs of Ddeok-cha(lump tea) and Characteristics by Degrees of Fermentation". Journal of Korean Tea Society. 12 (3): 71.
^ Jung, Seo-Kyeong (2015). "Historycity about Coastal inflow of tteok-tea to Jeon-nam". Journal of North-East Asian Cultures (in Korean). 1 (42): 105–126. doi:10.17949/jneac.1.42.201503.006.
^ "Taste the slow life with these Korean food specialties". Korea JungAng Daily. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
^ "doncha" 돈차. Standard Korean Language Dictionary. National Institute of Korean Language. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
^ "jeoncha" 전차. Standard Korean Language Dictionary. National Institute of Korean Language. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
^ "Don Tea". Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
^ "Borim Backmocha". Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
^ Mitscher, Lester A.; Dolby, Victoria (1998). The Green Tea Book: China's Fountain of Youth. Avery Publishing Group. p. 24. ISBN 9780895298072. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ Utilization of Tropical Foods: Sugars, Spices and Stimulants. Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations. 1989. pp. 55–56. ISBN 92-5-102837-0.
^ David Thompson. Thai Food. Ten Speed Press (2002), p. 483. ISBN 978-1-58008-462-8.
^ "Eating Tea and Masticating Betel". Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardens. Archived from the original on 24 January 2004. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
^ Fasi, Jason. "Lao Man'e: a Bulang Village in Transformation" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
^ "Kombucha and alcohol: How much it contains, safety risks, and more". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 26 April 2023.
^ 溫, 志杰; 張, 凌云; 吳, 平; 何, 勇強 (2010), "黑茶加工中微生物作用的研究", 茶葉通訊 "Tea Communication", 37 (2)
^ "Native Tastes Fermented Tea Production Methods and Processes". Methods and Processes. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
^ "Hei Cha". Dark Tea. Chawang Shop. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
^ TAN, Yu-Mei; WANG, Ya-Ping; GE, Yong-Yi; REN, Xiu-Xiu; WANG, Yu-Chen; LIU, Zuo-Yi (2017). "贵州地区茯砖茶"金花菌"的分离和分子鉴定" [Isolation and molecular identification of Aspergillus cristatus in fermented “fuzhuan” brick tea from Guizhou Province]. 菌物学报 Mycosystema (in Chinese). 36 (2): 154–163. doi:10.13346/j.mycosystema.160125. ISSN 1672-6472. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[Haizhen,_Yang_Zhu_2008-1] Mo, Haizhen; Zhu, Yang; Chen, Zongmao (2008). "Microbial fermented tea–a potential source of natural food preservatives". Trends in Food Science & Technology. 19 (3): 124–130. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2007.10.001.

[Hai-peng,_2013-2] Lv, Hai-peng; Zhang, Ying-jun; Lin, Zhi; Liang, Yue-rong (2013). "Processing and chemical constituents of Pu-erh tea: A review". Food Research International. 53 (2): 608–618. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2013.02.043.

[3] Ling, Tie-Jun; Wan, Xiao-Chun; Ling, Wei-Wei; Zhang, Zheng-Zhu; Xia, Tao; Li, Da-Xiang; Hou, Ru-Yan (2010). "New Triterpenoids and Other Constituents from a Special Microbial-Fermented Tea—Fuzhuan Brick Tea". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 58 (8): 4945–4950. doi:10.1021/jf9043524. ISSN 0021-8561. PMID 20307093.

[4] Tang, A. S.; Chung, S. W.; Kwong, K.; Xiao, Y.; Chen, M. Y.; Ho, Y. Y.; Ma, S. W. (2011). "Ethyl carbamate in fermented foods and beverages: Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong population in 2007–2008". Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance. 4 (3): 195–204. doi:10.1080/19393210.2011.605524. PMID 24786007. S2CID 1852027.

[5] Gong, Jia-shun; Zhou, H.J.; Zhang, X.F.; Song, Shan; An, W.J. (2005). "Changes of Chemical Components in Pu'er Tea Produced by Solid State Fermentation of Sundried Green Tea". Journal of Tea Science. 25 (3): 126–132.

[6] Abe, M.; Takaoka, N.; Idemoto, Y.; Takagi, C.; Imai, T.; Nakasaki, K. (2008). "Characteristic fungi observed in the fermentation process for Puer tea". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 124 (2): 199–203. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2008.03.008. PMID 18455823.

[7] Mogensen, J.M.; Varga, J.; Thrane, U.; Frisvad, J.C.; Imai, T; Nakasaki, K (2009). "Aspergillus acidus from Puerh tea and black tea does not produce ochratoxin A and fumonisin B₂". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 132 (2–3): 141–144. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.04.011. PMID 19439385.

[8] Varga, J.; Frisvad, J.C.; Kocsubé, S.; Brankovics, B.; Tóth, B.; Szigeti, G.; Samson, R.A. (2011). "New and revisited species in Aspergillus section Nigri". Studies in Mycology. 69 (1): 1–17. doi:10.3114/sim.2011.69.01. PMC 3161757. PMID 21892239.

[9] Haas, Doris; Pfeifer, Bettina; Reiterich, Christoph; Partenheimer, Regina; Reck, Bernhard; Buzina, Walter; Samson, R.A. (2013). "Identification and quantification of fungi and mycotoxins from Pu-erh tea". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 166 (2): 316–322. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.07.024. PMC 3161757. PMID 21892239.

[10] Hong, Seung-Beom; Lee, Mina; Kim, Dae-Ho; Varga, Janos; Frisvad, Jens C.; Perrone, Giancarlo; Gomi, Katsuya; Yamada, Osamu; Machida, Masayuki; Houbraken, Jos; Samson, Robert A. (2013). McCluskey, Kevin (ed.). "Aspergillus luchuensis, an industrially important black Aspergillus in East Asia". PLOS ONE. 8 (5): e63769. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...863769H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063769. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3665839. PMID 23723998.

[11] Moon, Doo-Gyung (2 April 2020). "The Characteristics of Korean Traditional Post-Fermented Tea (Chungtaejeon)". Bioactive Compounds in Nutraceutical and Functional Food for Good Human Health. doi:10.5772/intechopen.91855. ISBN 978-1-83880-887-7.^{[predatory publisher]}

[bioactivity-12] Hua-Fu Wang; Xiao-Qing You; Zong-Mao Chen (2002). Zhen, Yong-su (ed.). Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential. Taylor & Francis. p. 104. ISBN 9780203301272. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[Chemistry-13] Yamamoto, Takehiko; Juneja, Lekh Raj; Chu, Djoin-Chi; Kim, Mujo, eds. (1997). Chemistry and Applications of Green Tea. CRC Press. p. 6. ISBN 9780849340062. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[TG_PPT-14] Teas, Vicony. "Dark Tea – Hei Cha". Retrieved 4 November 2012.

[Dark_Tea_Produce-15] Tea Net. "Hei Cha". Teanet.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012.

[16] Organizing Committee of ISTS (1991). Proceedings of the International Symposium on Tea Science. p. 95.

[flavor-17] "Effect Of The Flavor Component The Pu-er Tea In Aging Period" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[toyamakurocha-18] Kawakami, Michiko; Shibamoto, Takayuki (1991). "Volatile Constituents of Piled Tea: Toyama Kurocha" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[19] "Two Fermented Japanese Banchas". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[20] Raloff, Janet (28 January 2004). "Bacteria Brew a B Vitamin Boost". Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[21] "Saijo City Sightseeing Information". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[Cheong_Cho-22] Cheong, Kyoung; Cho, Hee-sun (2006). "The Customs of Ddeok-cha(lump tea) and Characteristics by Degrees of Fermentation". Journal of Korean Tea Society. 12 (3): 71.

[Jung-23] Jung, Seo-Kyeong (2015). "Historycity about Coastal inflow of tteok-tea to Jeon-nam". Journal of North-East Asian Cultures (in Korean). 1 (42): 105–126. doi:10.17949/jneac.1.42.201503.006.

[JoongAng-24] "Taste the slow life with these Korean food specialties". Korea JungAng Daily. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.

[SKLD_don-25] "doncha" 돈차. Standard Korean Language Dictionary. National Institute of Korean Language. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.

[SKLD_jeon-26] "jeoncha" 전차. Standard Korean Language Dictionary. National Institute of Korean Language. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.

[27] "Don Tea". Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved 21 March 2017.

[28] "Borim Backmocha". Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved 21 March 2017.

[29] Mitscher, Lester A.; Dolby, Victoria (1998). The Green Tea Book: China's Fountain of Youth. Avery Publishing Group. p. 24. ISBN 9780895298072. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

[UN1989-30] Utilization of Tropical Foods: Sugars, Spices and Stimulants. Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations. 1989. pp. 55–56. ISBN 92-5-102837-0.

[thompson-31] David Thompson. Thai Food. Ten Speed Press (2002), p. 483. ISBN 978-1-58008-462-8.

[32] "Eating Tea and Masticating Betel". Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardens. Archived from the original on 24 January 2004. Retrieved 12 August 2014.

[33] Fasi, Jason. "Lao Man'e: a Bulang Village in Transformation" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 12 August 2014.

[34] "Kombucha and alcohol: How much it contains, safety risks, and more". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 26 April 2023.

[micro-35] 溫, 志杰; 張, 凌云; 吳, 平; 何, 勇強 (2010), "黑茶加工中微生物作用的研究", 茶葉通訊 "Tea Communication", 37 (2)

[36] "Native Tastes Fermented Tea Production Methods and Processes". Methods and Processes. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.

[Golden_Flower_Zhuan-37] "Hei Cha". Dark Tea. Chawang Shop. Retrieved 4 November 2012.

[TAN-38] TAN, Yu-Mei; WANG, Ya-Ping; GE, Yong-Yi; REN, Xiu-Xiu; WANG, Yu-Chen; LIU, Zuo-Yi (2017). "贵州地区茯砖茶"金花菌"的分离和分子鉴定" [Isolation and molecular identification of Aspergillus cristatus in fermented “fuzhuan” brick tea from Guizhou Province]. 菌物学报 Mycosystema (in Chinese). 36 (2): 154–163. doi:10.13346/j.mycosystema.160125. ISSN 1672-6472. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Redirect|Dark tea|the Brooklyn-based music project|Dark Tea (musical group)}}
 {{Distinguish|Black tea}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 {{Chinese
-|title='''Fermented tea'''
+|title=Fermented tea
 |pic=Golden melon.jpg
 |piccap=Golden melon [[Pu'er tea|{{transl|zh|pu'er}} tea]]
@@ Line 19: / Line 20: @@
 }}
-'''Fermented tea''' (also known as '''post-fermented tea''' or '''dark tea''') is a class of [[tea]] that has undergone microbial [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]], from several months to many years. The exposure of the tea leaves to [[humidity]] and [[oxygen]] during the process also causes endo-[[oxidation]] (derived from the tea-leaf [[enzymes]] themselves) and exo-[[oxidation]] (which is [[microbe|microbially]] [[catalysed]]). The tea leaves and the liquor made from them become darker with oxidation. Thus, the various kinds of fermented teas produced across [[China]] are also referred to as dark tea, not be confused with [[black tea]]. The most famous fermented tea is {{transl|zh|[[Pu'er tea|pu'er]]}} produced in [[Yunnan|Yunnan province]].<ref name="Haizhen, Yang Zhu 2008">{{Cite journal |last1=Mo |first1=Haizhen |last2=Zhu |first2=Yang |last3=Chen |first3=Zongmao |title=Microbial fermented tea–a potential source of natural food preservatives |journal=Trends in Food Science & Technology |volume=19 |issue=3 |year=2008 |pages=124–130 |doi=10.1016/j.tifs.2007.10.001}}</ref><ref name="Hai-peng, 2013">{{Cite journal |last1=Lv |first1=Hai-peng |last2=Zhang |first2=Ying-jun |last3=Lin |first3=Zhi |last4=Liang |first4=Yue-rong |year=2013 |title=Processing and chemical constituents of Pu-erh tea: A review |journal=Food Research International |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=608–618 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2013.02.043}}</ref>
+'''Fermented tea''' (also known as '''post-fermented tea''' or '''dark tea''') is a class of [[tea]] that has undergone microbial [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]], from several months to many years. The exposure of the tea leaves to [[humidity]] and [[oxygen]] during the process also causes endo-[[oxidation]] (derived from the tea-leaf [[enzymes]] themselves) and exo-[[oxidation]] (which is [[microbe|microbially]] [[catalysed]]). The tea leaves and the liquor made from them become darker with oxidation. Thus, the various kinds of fermented teas produced across [[China]] are also referred to as dark tea, not be confused with [[black tea]], which is actually referred to as "red tea" (''hong cha'', [[wikt:红茶|红茶]]) in Chinese. The most famous fermented tea is {{transl|zh|[[Pu'er tea|pu'er]]}} produced in [[Yunnan|Yunnan province]].<ref name="Haizhen, Yang Zhu 2008">{{Cite journal |last1=Mo |first1=Haizhen |last2=Zhu |first2=Yang |last3=Chen |first3=Zongmao |title=Microbial fermented tea–a potential source of natural food preservatives |journal=Trends in Food Science & Technology |volume=19 |issue=3 |year=2008 |pages=124–130 |doi=10.1016/j.tifs.2007.10.001}}</ref><ref name="Hai-peng, 2013">{{Cite journal |last1=Lv |first1=Hai-peng |last2=Zhang |first2=Ying-jun |last3=Lin |first3=Zhi |last4=Liang |first4=Yue-rong |year=2013 |title=Processing and chemical constituents of Pu-erh tea: A review |journal=Food Research International |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=608–618 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2013.02.043}}</ref>
-The fermentation of tea leaves alters their chemistry, affecting the [[organoleptic]] qualities of the tea made from them. Fermentation affects the [[odor|smell]] of the tea and typically mellows its taste, reducing astringency and bitterness while improving [[mouthfeel]] and aftertaste. The microbes may also produce metabolites with health benefits.<ref name="Haizhen, Yang Zhu 2008"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ling |first1=Tie-Jun |last2=Wan |first2=Xiao-Chun |last3=Ling |first3=Wei-Wei |last4=Zhang |first4=Zheng-Zhu |last5=Xia |first5=Tao |last6=Li |first6=Da-Xiang |last7=Hou |first7=Ru-Yan |year=2010 |title=New Triterpenoids and Other Constituents from a Special Microbial-Fermented Tea—Fuzhuan Brick Tea |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |volume=58 |issue=8 |pages=4945–4950 |doi=10.1021/jf9043524 |pmid=20307093 |issn=0021-8561}}</ref> Additionally, substances like [[ethyl carbamate]] (urethane) may be produced.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24786007/ |pmid=24786007 |year=2011 |last1=Tang |first1=A. S. |last2=Chung |first2=S. W. |last3=Kwong | first3=K. | last4=Xiao | first4=Y. | last5=Chen |first5=M. Y. |last6=Ho |first6=Y. Y. |last7=Ma |first7=S. W. |title=Ethyl carbamate in fermented foods and beverages: Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong population in 2007-2008 |journal=Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=195–204 |doi=10.1080/19393210.2011.605524 |s2cid=1852027}}</ref>
+The fermentation of tea leaves alters their chemistry, affecting the [[organoleptic]] qualities of the tea made from them. Fermentation affects the [[odor|smell]] of the tea and typically mellows its taste, reducing astringency and bitterness while improving [[mouthfeel]] and aftertaste. The microbes may also produce metabolites with health benefits.<ref name="Haizhen, Yang Zhu 2008"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ling |first1=Tie-Jun |last2=Wan |first2=Xiao-Chun |last3=Ling |first3=Wei-Wei |last4=Zhang |first4=Zheng-Zhu |last5=Xia |first5=Tao |last6=Li |first6=Da-Xiang |last7=Hou |first7=Ru-Yan |year=2010 |title=New Triterpenoids and Other Constituents from a Special Microbial-Fermented Tea—Fuzhuan Brick Tea |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |volume=58 |issue=8 |pages=4945–4950 |doi=10.1021/jf9043524 |pmid=20307093 |issn=0021-8561}}</ref> Additionally, substances like [[ethyl carbamate]] (urethane) may be produced.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24786007/ |pmid=24786007 |year=2011 |last1=Tang |first1=A. S. |last2=Chung |first2=S. W. |last3=Kwong | first3=K. | last4=Xiao | first4=Y. | last5=Chen |first5=M. Y. |last6=Ho |first6=Y. Y. |last7=Ma |first7=S. W. |title=Ethyl carbamate in fermented foods and beverages: Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong population in 2007–2008 |journal=Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=195–204 |doi=10.1080/19393210.2011.605524 |s2cid=1852027}}</ref>
 The fermentation is carried out primarily by molds. ''[[Aspergillus niger]]'' was implicated as the main microbial organism in the {{transl|zh|pu'er}} process,<ref name="Haizhen, Yang Zhu 2008"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gong |first1=Jia-shun |last2=Zhou |first2=H.J. |last3=Zhang |first3=X.F. |last4=Song |first4=Shan |last5=An |first5=W.J. |title=Changes of Chemical Components in Pu'er Tea Produced by Solid State Fermentation of Sundried Green Tea |journal=Journal of Tea Science |volume=25 |issue=3 |year=2005 |pages=126–132}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Abe |first1=M. |last2=Takaoka |first2=N. |last3=Idemoto |first3=Y. |last4=Takagi |first4=C. |last5=Imai |first5=T. |last6=Nakasaki |first6=K. |year=2008 |title=Characteristic fungi observed in the fermentation process for Puer tea |journal=International Journal of Food Microbiology |volume=124 |issue=2 |pages=199–203 |doi=10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2008.03.008 |pmid=18455823}}</ref> but that species identification has been challenged by comprehensive [[Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis|PCR-DGGE]] analysis, which points to ''[[Aspergillus luchuensis]]'' as the primary agent of fermentation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mogensen |first1=J.M. |last2=Varga |first2=J. |last3=Thrane |first3=U. |last4=Frisvad |first4=J.C. |last5=Imai |first5=T |last6=Nakasaki |first6=K |year=2009 |title=Aspergillus acidus from Puerh tea and black tea does not produce ochratoxin A and fumonisin B{{sub|2}} |journal=International Journal of Food Microbiology |volume=132 |issue=2–3 |pages=141–144 |doi=10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.04.011 |pmid=19439385}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Varga |first1=J. |last2=Frisvad |first2=J.C. |last3=Kocsubé |first3=S. |last4=Brankovics |first4=B. |last5=Tóth |first5=B. |last6=Szigeti |first6=G. |last7=Samson |first7=R.A. |year=2011 |title=New and revisited species in Aspergillus section Nigri |journal=Studies in Mycology |volume=69 |issue=1 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.3114/sim.2011.69.01 |pmc=3161757 |pmid=21892239}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Haas |first1=Doris |last2=Pfeifer |first2=Bettina |last3=Reiterich |first3=Christoph |last4=Partenheimer |first4=Regina |last5=Reck |first5=Bernhard |last6=Buzina |first6=Walter |last7=Samson |first7=R.A. |year=2013 |title=Identification and quantification of fungi and mycotoxins from Pu-erh tea |journal=International Journal of Food Microbiology |volume=166 |issue=2 |pages=316–322 |doi=10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.07.024 |pmc=3161757 |pmid=21892239}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hong |first1=Seung-Beom |last2=Lee |first2=Mina |last3=Kim |first3=Dae-Ho |last4=Varga |first4=Janos |last5=Frisvad |first5=Jens C. |last6=Perrone |first6=Giancarlo |last7=Gomi |first7=Katsuya |last8=Yamada |first8=Osamu |last9=Machida |first9=Masayuki |last10=Houbraken |first10=Jos |last11=Samson |first11=Robert A. |year=2013 |editor-last=McCluskey |editor-first=Kevin |title=Aspergillus luchuensis, an industrially important black Aspergillus in East Asia |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=e63769 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0063769 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3665839 |pmid=23723998|bibcode=2013PLoSO...863769H |doi-access=free}}</ref>
-Most varieties of fermented teas are produced in China, its country of origin, with several varieties also produced in [[Korea]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Moon |first1=Doo-Gyung |title=The Characteristics of Korean Traditional Post-Fermented Tea (Chungtaejeon) |journal=Bioactive Compounds in Nutraceutical and Functional Food for Good Human Health |date=2 April 2020 |doi=10.5772/intechopen.91855 |url=https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71634}}</ref> and [[Japan]].<ref name="bioactivity">{{cite book|author1=Hua-Fu Wang|author2=Xiao-Qing You|author3=Zong-Mao Chen|editor1-last=Zhen|editor1-first=Yong-su|title=Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential|year=2002|publisher=Taylor & Francis|page=104|isbn=9780203301272|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tlEm6wjbAQUC&pg=PA104|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> In Myanmar, [[lahpet]] is a form of fermented tea that is eaten as a vegetable, and similar pickled teas are also eaten or chewed in northern Thailand and southern Yunnan.<ref name="Chemistry"/>
+Most varieties of fermented teas are produced in China, its country of origin, with several varieties also produced in [[Korea]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Moon |first1=Doo-Gyung |title=The Characteristics of Korean Traditional Post-Fermented Tea (Chungtaejeon) |journal=Bioactive Compounds in Nutraceutical and Functional Food for Good Human Health |date=2 April 2020 |doi=10.5772/intechopen.91855 |isbn=978-1-83880-887-7 |url=https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71634|doi-access=free }}{{Predatory publisher}}</ref> and [[Japan]].<ref name="bioactivity">{{cite book|author1=Hua-Fu Wang|author2=Xiao-Qing You|author3=Zong-Mao Chen|editor1-last=Zhen|editor1-first=Yong-su|title=Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential|year=2002|publisher=Taylor & Francis|page=104|isbn=9780203301272|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tlEm6wjbAQUC&pg=PA104|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> In Myanmar, [[lahpet]] is a form of fermented tea that is eaten as a vegetable, and similar pickled teas are also eaten or chewed in northern Thailand and southern Yunnan.<ref name="Chemistry"/>
 ==History==
 The early history of dark tea is unclear, but there are several legends and some credible theories.
-For example, one legend holds that dark tea was first produced accidentally, on the [[Silk Road]] and [[Ancient tea route|Tea Road]] by tea caravans in the rainy season.<ref name="TG_PPT">{{cite web |first1=Vicony |last1=Teas |title= Dark Tea - Hei Cha |url=http://www.viconyteas.com/directory/tea-encyclopedia/dark-tea.html |access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Dark Tea Produce">{{cite web |last=Tea Net |title=Hei Cha |url=http://www.teanet.com.cn/z_interbusiness/interm/heicha.htm |publisher=Teanet.com |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607124256/http://www.teanet.com.cn/Z_interBusiness/interm/heicha.htm |archive-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> When the tea was soaked in rain, the tea transporters abandoned it for fear of contamination. The next year, nearby villages suffered from [[dysentery]], and decided to drink the abandoned mildewed tea in desperation. The legend concludes that the tea cured those suffering, and quickly became popular.
+For example, one legend holds that dark tea was first produced accidentally, on the [[Silk Road]] and [[Ancient tea route|Tea Road]] by tea caravans in the rainy season.<ref name="TG_PPT">{{cite web |first1=Vicony |last1=Teas |title= Dark Tea – Hei Cha |url=http://www.viconyteas.com/directory/tea-encyclopedia/dark-tea.html |access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Dark Tea Produce">{{cite web |last=Tea Net |title=Hei Cha |url=http://www.teanet.com.cn/z_interbusiness/interm/heicha.htm |publisher=Teanet.com |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607124256/http://www.teanet.com.cn/Z_interBusiness/interm/heicha.htm |archive-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> When the tea was soaked in rain, the tea transporters abandoned it for fear of contamination. The next year, nearby villages suffered from [[dysentery]], and decided to drink the abandoned mildewed tea in desperation. The legend concludes that the tea cured those suffering, and quickly became popular.
-More historical accounts attribute the first production of dark tea to the [[Ming dynasty]] in the 15th and 16th centuries. It may have been first traded by tea merchants much earlier than the legends state, across the historical borders of Han and Tibetan cultural areas.<ref name="Dark Tea Produce"/>
+Other historical accounts attribute the first production of dark tea to the [[Ming dynasty]] in the 15th and 16th centuries. It may have been first traded by tea merchants much earlier than the legends state, across the historical borders of Han and Tibetan cultural areas.<ref name="Dark Tea Produce"/>
 ==Varieties==
@@ Line 38: / Line 39: @@
 === China ===
+[[File:Puer tea, Chinese green tea, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.jpg|thumb|[[Pu'er tea]] from Yunnan, China]]
 {{see also|Chinese tea|list of Chinese teas}}
@@ Line 43: / Line 45: @@
 The most famous and important producing areas and varieties include:
-* '''[[Anhui]]''': {{transl|zh|Liu an lan cha}} ({{lang|zh|安徽六安籃茶}}, Anhui Lu'an basket tea)
+* [[Anhui]]: {{transl|zh|Liu an lan cha}} ({{lang|zh|安徽六安籃茶}}, Anhui Lu'an basket tea)
-* '''[[Guangxi]]''': {{transl|zh|Liu bao cha}} ({{lang|zh|廣西六堡茶}}, Guangxi Liubao tea, often sold as {{lang|zh|松黑茶}}, loose dark tea)
+* [[Guangxi]]: {{transl|zh|Liu bao cha}} ({{lang|zh|廣西六堡茶}}, Guangxi Liubao tea, often sold as {{lang|zh|松黑茶}}, loose dark tea)
-* '''[[Hubei]]''': {{transl|zh|Qing zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|湖北青砖茶}}, Hubei green brick tea)
+* [[Hubei]]: {{transl|zh|Qing zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|湖北青砖茶}}, Hubei green brick tea)
-* '''[[Hunan]]''': {{transl|zh|Fu zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|湖南茯磚茶}} ({{lang|zh|黑茶}}), the famous {{transl|zh|fu zhuan}} {{lang|zh|茯磚茶}} “brick tea”)
+* [[Hunan]]: {{transl|zh|Fu zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|湖南茯磚茶}} ({{lang|zh|黑茶}}), the famous {{transl|zh|fu zhuan}} {{lang|zh|茯磚茶}} “brick tea”)
-* '''[[Jingyang, Shaanxi]]''': {{transl|zh|Fu zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|陕西泾阳茯茶}} ({{lang|zh|黑茶}}), the famous {{transl|zh|fu zhuan}} {{lang|zh|茯磚茶}} “brick tea”)
+* [[Jingyang, Shaanxi]]: {{transl|zh|Fu zhuan cha}} ({{lang|zh|陕西泾阳茯茶}} ({{lang|zh|黑茶}}), the famous {{transl|zh|fu zhuan}} {{lang|zh|茯磚茶}} “brick tea”)
-* '''[[Sichuan]]''': {{transl|zh|Lu bian cha}} ({{lang|zh|四川路边茶}}, Sichuan border tea)
+* [[Sichuan]]: {{transl|zh|Lu bian cha}} ({{lang|zh|四川路边茶}}, Sichuan border tea)
-* '''[[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]''': {{transl|zh|Zang cha}} ({{lang|zh|藏茶}}, [[Tibeti|Tibetan tea]], often called Tibetan brick tea)
+* [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]: {{transl|zh|Zang cha}} ({{lang|zh|藏茶}}, [[Tibeti|Tibetan tea]], often called Tibetan brick tea)
-* '''[[Yunnan]]''': {{transl|zh|Pu'er cha}} ({{lang|zh|雲南普洱茶}}, either "[[Pu'er tea#Raw pu'er|raw]]" {{transl|zh|sheng pu'er}} {{lang|zh|生普洱}} or "[[Pu'er_tea#Ripe_pu'er|ripened]]" {{transl|zh|shu pu'er}} {{lang|zh|熟普洱}})
+* [[Yunnan]]: {{transl|zh|Pu'er cha}} ({{lang|zh|雲南普洱茶}}, either "[[Pu'er tea#Raw pu'er|raw]]" {{transl|zh|sheng pu'er}} {{lang|zh|生普洱}} or "[[Pu'er_tea#Ripe_pu'er|ripened]]" {{transl|zh|shu pu'er}} {{lang|zh|熟普洱}})
 Shapes include:
@@ Line 61: / Line 63: @@
 === Japan ===
-Several distinct varieties of fermented tea are produced in Japan.<ref name=bioactivity /> Toyama prefecture's {{transl|ja|kurocha}} is Japan's only piled tea, similar to the Chinese post-fermented teas. Toyama {{transl|ja|kurocha}} is traditionally prepared by boiling in water, adding salt and stirring with a whisk as in a traditional [[tea ceremony]]. It is consumed on religious occasions or during meetings in the [[Asahi, Toyama|Asahi]] area of the prefecture.<ref name=toyamakurocha>{{cite web|last1=Kawakami|first1=Michiko|last2=Shibamoto|first2=Takayuki|title=Volatile Constituents of Piled Tea: Toyama Kurocha|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bbb1961/55/7/55_7_1839/_pdf|access-date=11 August 2014|format=PDF|year=1991}}</ref> {{transl|ja|Awabancha}} ({{lang|ja-Hani|阿波番茶}}), produced in [[Tokusima Prefecture|Tokushima prefecture]], and {{transl|ja|batabatacha}}, like the Toyama {{transl|ja|kurocha}} associated with [[Asahi, Toyama]], are made from {{transl|ja|[[bancha]]}}, or second flush tea leaves, with bacterial fermentation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two Fermented Japanese Banchas|url=http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2014/05/two-fermented-japanese-banchas/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812204640/http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2014/05/two-fermented-japanese-banchas/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2014|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> {{transl|ja|Batabatacha}} has been found to contain vitamin B{{sub|12}}, but in insignificant amounts for human diets.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raloff|first1=Janet|title=Bacteria Brew a B Vitamin Boost|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/food-thought/bacteria-brew-b-vitamin-boost|access-date=11 August 2014|date=January 28, 2004}}</ref> {{transl|ja|[[Goishicha]]}} ({{lang|ja-Hani|碁石茶}}) from [[Ōtoyo, Kōchi]] and Ishizuchi {{transl|ja|kurocha}} grown at the foot of [[Mount Ishizuchi]] in [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime prefecture]] are made by fermenting the tea in a two step process, first with aerobic fungi, then with anaerobic bacteria.<ref name=flavor /><ref>{{cite web|title=Saijo City Sightseeing Information |url=http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/english/kankou/omiyage1.htm |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210629/http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/english/kankou/omiyage1.htm |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref>
+Several distinct varieties of fermented tea are produced in Japan.<ref name=bioactivity /> Toyama prefecture's {{transl|ja|kurocha}} is Japan's only piled tea, similar to the Chinese post-fermented teas. Toyama {{transl|ja|kurocha}} is traditionally prepared by boiling in water, adding salt and stirring with a whisk as in a traditional [[tea ceremony]]. It is consumed on religious occasions or during meetings in the [[Asahi, Toyama|Asahi]] area of the prefecture.<ref name=toyamakurocha>{{cite web|last1=Kawakami|first1=Michiko|last2=Shibamoto|first2=Takayuki|title=Volatile Constituents of Piled Tea: Toyama Kurocha|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bbb1961/55/7/55_7_1839/_pdf|access-date=11 August 2014|format=PDF|year=1991}}</ref> {{transl|ja|Awabancha}} ({{lang|ja-Hani|阿波番茶}}), produced in [[Tokusima Prefecture|Tokushima prefecture]], and {{transl|ja|batabatacha}}, like the Toyama {{transl|ja|kurocha}} associated with [[Asahi, Toyama]], are made from {{transl|ja|[[bancha]]}}, or second flush tea leaves, with bacterial fermentation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two Fermented Japanese Banchas|url=http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2014/05/two-fermented-japanese-banchas/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812204640/http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2014/05/two-fermented-japanese-banchas/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2014|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> {{transl|ja|Batabatacha}} has been found to contain vitamin B{{sub|12}}, but in insignificant amounts for human diets.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raloff|first1=Janet|title=Bacteria Brew a B Vitamin Boost|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/food-thought/bacteria-brew-b-vitamin-boost|access-date=11 August 2014|date=28 January 2004}}</ref> {{transl|ja|[[Goishicha]]}} ({{lang|ja-Hani|碁石茶}}) from [[Ōtoyo, Kōchi]] and Ishizuchi {{transl|ja|kurocha}} grown at the foot of [[Mount Ishizuchi]] in [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime prefecture]] are made by fermenting the tea in a two step process, first with aerobic fungi, then with anaerobic bacteria.<ref name=flavor /><ref>{{cite web|title=Saijo City Sightseeing Information |url=http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/english/kankou/omiyage1.htm |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210629/http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/english/kankou/omiyage1.htm |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref>
 === Korea ===
@@ Line 68: / Line 70: @@
 {{see also|Korean tea}}
-{{transl|ko|[[Tteokcha]]}} ({{Korean|hangul=떡차|labels=no|links=no|lit="cake tea"}}), also called {{transl|ko|byeongcha}} ({{Korean|hangul=병차|hanja=餠茶|labels=no|links=no|lit="cake tea"}}), was the most commonly produced and consumed type of tea in pre-modern Korea.<ref name="Cheong_Cho">{{Cite journal|last1=Cheong|first1=Kyoung|last2=Cho|first2=Hee-sun|year=2006|title=The Customs of Ddeok-cha(lump tea) and Characteristics by Degrees of Fermentation|url=http://scholar.dkyobobook.co.kr/searchDetail.laf?barcode=4010022748264|journal=Journal of Korean Tea Society|volume=12|issue=3|pages=71}}</ref><ref name="Jung">{{Cite journal|last=Jung|first=Seo-Kyeong|year=2015|title=Historycity about Coastal inflow of tteok-tea to Jeon-nam|url=http://www.dbpia.co.kr/Journal/ArticleDetail/NODE06297472|journal=Journal of North-East Asian Cultures|language=ko|volume=1|issue=42|pages=105–126|doi=10.17949/jneac.1.42.201503.006}}</ref><ref name="JoongAng">{{Cite news|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2922237|title=Taste the slow life with these Korean food specialties|date=24 October 2010|work=[[Korea JungAng Daily]]|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Pressed tea made into the shape of {{transl|ko|[[yeopjeon]]}}, the coins with holes, was called {{transl|ko|[[doncha]]}} ({{Korean|hangul=돈차|labels=no|links=no|lit="money tea"}}), {{transl|ko|jeoncha}} ({{Korean|hangul=전차|hanja=錢茶|labels=no|links=no|lit="money tea"}}), or {{transl|ko|cheongtaejeon}} ({{Korean|hangul=청태전|hanja=靑苔錢|labels=no|lit="green moss coin"}}).<ref name="SKLD_don">{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=87179|title=doncha|website=[[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]]|publisher=[[National Institute of Korean Language]]|script-title=ko:돈차|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="SKLD_jeon">{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=285158|title=jeoncha|website=[[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]]|publisher=[[National Institute of Korean Language]]|script-title=ko:전차|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/slow-food-presidia/don-tea/|title=Don Tea|website=[[Slow Food Foundation]]|access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref> ''Borim-cha'' ({{Korean|hangul=보림차|hanja=寶林茶|labels=no}}) or {{transl|ko|Borim-baengmo-cha}} ({{Korean|hangul=보림백모차|hanja=寶林白茅茶|labels=no}}), named after its birthplace, the [[Borim temple]] in [[Jangheung County|Jangheung]], [[South Jeolla Province]], is a popular {{transl|ko|tteokcha}} variety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/borim-backmocha/|title=Borim Backmocha|website=[[Slow Food Foundation]]|access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
+{{transl|ko|[[Tteokcha]]}} ({{Korean|hangul=떡차|labels=no|links=no|lit="cake tea"}}), also called {{transl|ko|byeongcha}} ({{Korean|hangul=병차|hanja=餠茶|labels=no|links=no|lit="cake tea"}}), was the most commonly produced and consumed type of tea in pre-modern Korea.<ref name="Cheong_Cho">{{Cite journal|last1=Cheong|first1=Kyoung|last2=Cho|first2=Hee-sun|year=2006|title=The Customs of Ddeok-cha(lump tea) and Characteristics by Degrees of Fermentation|url=http://scholar.dkyobobook.co.kr/searchDetail.laf?barcode=4010022748264|journal=Journal of Korean Tea Society|volume=12|issue=3|pages=71}}</ref><ref name="Jung">{{Cite journal|last=Jung|first=Seo-Kyeong|year=2015|title=Historycity about Coastal inflow of tteok-tea to Jeon-nam|url=http://www.dbpia.co.kr/Journal/ArticleDetail/NODE06297472|journal=Journal of North-East Asian Cultures|language=ko|volume=1|issue=42|pages=105–126|doi=10.17949/jneac.1.42.201503.006|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="JoongAng">{{Cite news|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2922237|title=Taste the slow life with these Korean food specialties|date=24 October 2010|work=[[Korea JungAng Daily]]|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Pressed tea made into the shape of {{transl|ko|[[yeopjeon]]}}, the coins with holes, was called {{transl|ko|[[doncha]]}} ({{Korean|hangul=돈차|labels=no|links=no|lit="money tea"}}), {{transl|ko|jeoncha}} ({{Korean|hangul=전차|hanja=錢茶|labels=no|links=no|lit="money tea"}}), or {{transl|ko|cheongtaejeon}} ({{Korean|hangul=청태전|hanja=靑苔錢|labels=no|lit="green moss coin"}}).<ref name="SKLD_don">{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=87179|title=doncha|website=[[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]]|publisher=[[National Institute of Korean Language]]|script-title=ko:돈차|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144219/http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=87179|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="SKLD_jeon">{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=285158|title=jeoncha|website=[[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]]|publisher=[[National Institute of Korean Language]]|script-title=ko:전차|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144417/http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=285158|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/slow-food-presidia/don-tea/|title=Don Tea|website=[[Slow Food Foundation]]|access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref> ''Borim-cha'' ({{Korean|hangul=보림차|hanja=寶林茶|labels=no}}) or {{transl|ko|Borim-baengmo-cha}} ({{Korean|hangul=보림백모차|hanja=寶林白茅茶|labels=no}}), named after its birthplace, the [[Borim temple]] in [[Jangheung County|Jangheung]], [[South Jeolla Province]], is a popular {{transl|ko|tteokcha}} variety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/borim-backmocha/|title=Borim Backmocha|website=[[Slow Food Foundation]]|access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
 === Edible pickled tea ===
@@ Line 80: / Line 82: @@
 ==Production==
+During fermentation, the yeast in the mixture converts sugar to [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]]. But then, bacteria take over and convert that alcohol into [[acetic acid]] ([[vinegar]]) which is what gives [[kombucha]] its tangy taste. However, some residual alcohol can be left behind. In commercially produced kombucha, the amount is very low, typically less than 0.5% alcohol by volume - which means it can be labelled as non-alcoholic. But homemade kombucha, or kombucha that's fermented for a longer time, can have slightly higher traces of alcohol.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kombucha and alcohol: How much it contains, safety risks, and more |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/does-kombucha-have-alcohol |website=www.medicalnewstoday.com |language=en |date=26 April 2023}}</ref>
 Many fermented teas do not arrive on the market ready for consumption. Instead, they may start as [[green tea]]s or partially oxidized [[oolong]]-like teas, which are then allowed to slowly oxidize and undergo microbial fermentation over many years (comparable to wines that are sold to be aged in a cellar).<ref name=micro>{{citation|title=黑茶加工中微生物作用的研究 |last1=溫|first1=志杰|last2=張|first2=凌云|last3=吳|first3=平|last4=何|first4=勇強 |journal=茶葉通訊 "Tea Communication" |year=2010 |volume=37 |number=2}}</ref> Alternatively, fermented teas can be created quickly through a ripening process spanning several months, as with [[Pu'er_tea#Ripe_pu'er|Shu Pu'er]]. This ripening is done through a controlled process similar to [[composting]], where the moisture and temperature of the tea are carefully monitored. The product is "finished" fermented tea.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
-Fermented teas are commonly sold as [[compressed tea]] of various shapes, including bricks, discs, bowls, or mushrooms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Native Tastes Fermented Tea Production Methods and Processes |url=http://nativetastes.at.hm/about-native-tastes/ |at=Methods and Processes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203062247/http://nativetastes.at.hm/about-native-tastes/ |archive-date=2014-02-03 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2022}} Ripened {{transl|zh|pu'er}} teas are ripened while loose, then compressed. Fermented teas can be aged for many years to improve their flavor, again comparable to wines. Raw {{transl|zh|pu'er}} tea can be aged up to 50 years in some cases without diminishing in quality, and ripened {{transl|zh|pu'er}} can be aged up to 10 or 15 years. Experts and aficionados disagree about the optimal age.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
+Fermented teas are commonly sold as [[compressed tea]] of various shapes, including bricks, discs, bowls, or mushrooms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Native Tastes Fermented Tea Production Methods and Processes |url=http://nativetastes.at.hm/about-native-tastes/ |at=Methods and Processes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203062247/http://nativetastes.at.hm/about-native-tastes/ |archive-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2022}} Ripened {{transl|zh|pu'er}} teas are ripened while loose, then compressed. Fermented teas can be aged for many years to improve their flavor, again comparable to wines. Raw {{transl|zh|pu'er}} tea can be aged up to 50 years in some cases without diminishing in quality, and ripened {{transl|zh|pu'er}} can be aged up to 10 or 15 years. Experts and aficionados disagree about the optimal age.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
 Many [[Tibet]]ans and [[Central Asia]]ns use {{transl|zh|pu'er}} or other fermented teas as a caloric and micronutrient food, boiled with [[yak butter]], sugar and salt to make [[butter tea|yak butter tea]].
 ==Ageing and storage==
+[[File:JinHua "golden flower" from Liu Bao.jpg|thumb| {{transl|zh|jin hua}} hei cha from Liu Bao with ''[[Aspergillus cristatus]]'', formerly ''Eurotium cristatum'']]
 Post-fermented tea usually gets more valuable with age. Dark tea is often aged in bamboo baskets, bamboo-leaf coverings, or in its original packaging.
-Many varieties of dark tea are purposely aged in humid environments to promote the growth of certain fungi, often called "golden flowers" or {{transl|zh|jin hua}} ({{lang|zh|金花}}) because of the bright yellow color.<ref name="Golden Flower Zhuan">{{cite web|title=Hei Cha|url=http://www.chawangshop.com|work=Dark Tea|publisher=Chawang Shop|access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2022}}
+Many varieties of dark tea are purposely aged in humid environments to promote the growth of certain fungi, often called "golden flowers" or {{transl|zh|jin hua}} ({{lang|zh|金花}}) because of the bright yellow color.<ref name="Golden Flower Zhuan">{{cite web|title=Hei Cha|url=http://www.chawangshop.com|work=Dark Tea|publisher=Chawang Shop|access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="TAN">{{cite journal |last1=TAN |first1=Yu-Mei |last2=WANG |first2=Ya-Ping |last3=GE |first3=Yong-Yi |last4=REN |first4=Xiu-Xiu |last5=WANG |first5=Yu-Chen |last6=LIU |first6=Zuo-Yi |title=贵州地区茯砖茶"金花菌"的分离和分子鉴定 |journal=菌物学报 Mycosystema |date=2017 |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=154–163 |doi=10.13346/j.mycosystema.160125 |url=https://manu40.magtech.com.cn/Jwxb/article/2017/1672-6472/1672-6472-36-2-154.shtml |access-date=10 October 2023 |trans-title=Isolation and molecular identification of Aspergillus cristatus in fermented “fuzhuan” brick tea from Guizhou Province |language=zh |issn=1672-6472}}</ref>
 ==See also==
 * [[List of Chinese teas]]
-* [[Kombucha]] a beverage produced by fermentation of brewed tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.
+* [[Kombucha]], a beverage produced by fermentation of brewed tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast
 ==References==
@@ Line 101: / Line 106: @@
   | editor3-last=Chu|editor3-first=Djoin-Chi|editor4-last=Kim|editor4-first=Mujo
   | title=Chemistry and Applications of Green Tea|date=1997|publisher=CRC Press|page=6
-  |isbn=9780849340062| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZcnLaP6-eoC&pg=PA6 |access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref>
+  |isbn=9780849340062|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZcnLaP6-eoC&pg=PA6 |access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref>
 <ref name=UN1989>
 {{cite book|title=Utilization of Tropical Foods: Sugars, Spices and Stimulants|date=1989|publisher=Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations|isbn=92-5-102837-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/utilizationoftro0000unse/page/55 55–56]|url=https://archive.org/details/utilizationoftro0000unse/page/55}}</ref>
+}}{{Alcohol and health}}
-}}
-==External links==
-* {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.mondeduthe.com/thes-noirs.html Le Monde du Thé - Black Teas].
-{{Alcohol and health}}
 {{Teas}}
 {{Portal bar|Drink|China}}