Fu Cha Gao

The original Cha Gao.

Made in China for centuries, Cha Gao is a traditional form of Pu'er tea, concentrated into a small, slowly dissolving tea resin. Drop one into hot or room-temperature water and in about ninety seconds you've got up to 800ml of tea, no leaves or strainer required.

With no leaves stewing away, it won't turn bitter if you leave it in. That makes it the perfect on-the-go tea. Drop a piece in your drink bottle and take it with you.

Fu pours a glossy, deep mahogany and smells like toasted grain and warm rice pudding. Then it gets darker, with molasses, dried date, a little cedar and some gentle spice. There's almost no bitterness, which makes it an easy first date if you've never tried Pu'er.

Measure: One piece per 400 to 800ml of water, to taste. Only making a small cup? Take the piece out once it's brewed to the strength you'd like, and rewrap it for your next cup.
Brew Time: 90 seconds to 3 minutes, or until it's as strong as you like
Water Temperature: Room temperature to 95°C
Best Enjoyed: Any time of day, hot or room temperature.

Available as 20 pieces in a 10g tin.