2012 Jasmine Mini Tuo Cha Raw Pu-erh

For us in the U.K, 2012 is probably best remembered for the London Olympic games. Reminiscent of mini-medals these pu-erh cakes are the perfect size for one person to have a full day of flavour and the floral jasmine offsets the mineral, bark of the raw tea cake.

Yunnan is the original home of aged tea and the techniques have been developing for hundreds or thousands of years, depending who you talk to.

Bordering Laos, Vietnam and Burma, the pu-erh tea pressed into cakes was a form of currency for traders here in the early 17th century. The tea is believed to have been used as a weight loss and digestive aid throughout history and has become a favourite of loose leaf tea lovers around the world for its unique flavour.