Fu Brick Tea

History and Culture of Fu Tea in China

Jun 13, 2025

"True heritage doesn’t fade—it waits to return."

Key Takeaways

Fu Brick Tea originated in Jingyang, Shaanxi, over 600 years ago.
Its signature “Golden Flower” forms naturally during fermentation.
The tea played a vital role in Silk Road trade and nomadic health.
Production was relocated to Hunan in the 1950s for economic reasons.
Shaanxi revived authentic techniques in the early 21st century.
Modern Jingyang Fu Tea preserves historical methods and climate-based fermentation.

More Than Just a Brick of Tea – A Silk Road Legend Re-examined

Along the dusty trails of the ancient Silk Road, a unique currency traveled on camel backs. It wasn't gold or silk, but a dense, dark brick of tea that supported empires and fed nomadic cultures.

This was Fu Brick Tea, known as the "Life-sustaining Tea" for helping supplement meat-heavy diets of peoples in Tibet, Mongolia, and Xinjiang. Its most famous feature is the "Golden Flowers" (Eurotium cristatum), a helpful mold that grows within the brick during fermentation, giving the tea its special smell and health benefits. But as people learned about it, its history became unclear.

Today, many think Fu Brick Tea comes from Hunan province. This story tells the truth. The true origin and spiritual home of this legendary tea is, and has always been, Shaanxi, Jingyang.

The Tea That Fueled an Empire

For hundreds of years, this traditional Chinese dark tea was more than just a drink. It was a vital product that provided needed vitamins and helped digestion, making it essential for the health of nomadic tribes who controlled the vast trade routes of Central Asia.

Setting the Record Straight: The Shaanxi Origin

This is the true story of Fu Brick Tea's birth in Shaanxi, its forced move, and its proud return to its birthplace. The story has many parts, but the history is clear.

While it's an interesting type of dark tea, many don't know its full story. To understand what is Fu Brick tea, we must go back in time to where it began.

The Cradle of Fu Tea: Why Jingyang, Shaanxi Became Its Birthplace

The story of Fu Brick Tea starts with an odd fact. Jingyang, on the Guanzhong Plain, doesn't grow tea. Yet, for over 600 years, it was the center of Fu Brick Tea making and trading in all of China.

This wasn't by chance. Jingyang's special place in history, trade, and climate created the perfect spot for this famous tea to be born.

A Perfect Storm of Geography and Commerce

Jingyang was the main processing hub, a tea clearinghouse set up by royal order since the Ming Dynasty. Raw tea from the south had to be sent here before being sold to the north and west.

It had many advantages:

Proximity to Consumers: Jingyang was the final gateway from farming China to the vast nomadic regions. It was the last major trading center before caravans left for Tibet, Mongolia, and beyond.
Access to Raw Materials: It sat at a crossroads where raw tea leaves (maocha) from tea-growing provinces like Hunan and Sichuan could be easily brought for final processing.
Hub on the Silk Road: As an old trading powerhouse, Jingyang had the buildings, money, and skilled merchants to handle the huge tea trade.

The Accidental Discovery: The Birth of "Golden Flower" Culture

The real magic of Jingyang is its climate. Raw tea, stacked high in Jingyang's warehouses after traveling from the humid south, was exposed to the area's unique weather.

Jingyang has a mild continental climate with clear seasons, big daily temperature changes, and specific humidity levels. This climate turned out to be the perfect natural place for a special golden-yellow mold to grow throughout the tea bricks.

At first, this might have looked like spoiled tea. But local tea makers found that this "Golden Flower," or Jin Hua, was not only safe but amazingly improved the tea. It made it less bitter, deepened the flavor, and helped digestion, making it even more valuable to nomadic customers.

This process—a natural, climate-driven microbial fermentation—became the guarded secret of Jingyang. The "fahua" (发花) or "flowering" technique was created. This is the very heart of Fu Brick Tea. The presence of these bright golden spores, now known as the probiotic Eurotium cristatum, became the sign of the highest quality tea, as shown by modern scientific studies on Eurotium cristatum that confirm its unique qualities.

The clips of the Chinese TV drama Nothing Gold Can Stay present the historical story of the discovery of the "golden flower" Fu Brick Tea.

The "Fu" Name Demystified

The name "Fu" (茯) itself shows its origin. There are two main explanations, both rooted in Jingyang's tradition.

First, the special "fahua" fermentation process was historically done during the "Fu" days (伏天), the hottest and most humid days of summer, to encourage the growth of the Golden Flowers.

Second, the tea's health benefits were seen as a blessing or good fortune. The word for fortune (福, Fú) sounds like the character used in the tea's name (茯, Fú), giving the tea a feeling of bringing wellness and prosperity.

The Great Relocation: How Fu Brick Tea Production Moved to Hunan

For centuries, the process was simple: raw tea from Hunan was made into Fu Brick Tea in Jingyang. However, in the mid-20th century, this historical connection was broken by a big political and economic decision that moved the entire industry hundreds of miles away.

This event is the most confusing chapter in Fu Brick Tea history for today's consumers. It explains why Hunan, the historical supplier of raw tea, became the new center of production, while Jingyang, its birthplace, fell quiet.

A Policy-Driven Shift in the 1950s

After the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the nation's economy was reorganized under central planning. All key industries, including tea, were put under state control through a system of unified buying and selling.

Efficiency and cost-cutting were most important. The central government, looking at the logistics of moving large amounts of raw tea from Hunan to Shaanxi for processing, decided the long-distance transport was not cost-effective.

The decision was made. Between 1953 and 1958, a huge transfer of technology, equipment, and skilled workers was carried out. The state-owned factories and their special Fu Brick Tea processing methods were moved completely from Jingyang, Shaanxi, to Anhua, Hunan—the source of the raw leaves.

The Legacy Divides: Shaanxi's Hiatus and Hunan's Rise

This policy-driven move had big effects. For nearly 50 years, the production of authentic Fu Brick Tea in its birthplace of Jingyang stopped completely. The kilns went cold, the "fahua" techniques were unused, and a legacy that had defined the region for over 600 years was put on hold. The historical records on the Silk Road tea trade clearly show Jingyang's previous importance, making this break all the more significant.

At the same time, Hunan's tea industry, especially in Anhua County, became the new government-approved producer. With the imported expertise and machinery from Jingyang, they began making Fu Brick Tea, eventually developing their own distinct styles and establishing a new identity for the tea category.

This historical split is key to understanding the differences between products from the two regions, a topic we explore further in our comparison of Fu Brick Tea vs. other dark teas. What was once a single, unified tradition became a tale of two provinces.

The Homecoming: Shaanxi's Fu Tea Renaissance in the 21st Century

History, however, has a way of coming full circle. After a nearly 50-year silence, the early 21st century saw a powerful movement in Shaanxi: the determined effort to bring Fu Brick Tea home.

This modern chapter is not just about restarting a factory. It's a story of cultural rediscovery, of reclaiming a lost identity, and of reviving an art form that is deeply tied to the land of its birth.

Rediscovering a Lost Art

The revival was driven by a new generation of Shaanxi tea entrepreneurs and cultural historians who felt responsible for restoring their heritage. The task was huge. The original techniques, which depended on the unique Jingyang climate, had not been practiced for decades.

They began a quest, studying old texts, finding the few remaining elderly artisans who remembered the old ways, and doing countless experiments to recreate the natural "fahua" process. This was not about simply copying Hunan's methods; it was about reawakening the specific mix of tea, climate, and craft that only exists in Jingyang.

To visit a revived Jingyang tea factory today is to step into living history. The air is filled with the sweet, yeasty smell of the Golden Flowers. You can see artisans, guided by centuries-old principles, expertly steaming, pressing, and storing the bricks in climate-controlled rooms that mimic the old warehouses. To taste a cup of freshly revived Jingyang Fu Tea is to feel connected to the Silk Road caravans of the past—a flavor recreated after decades of absence.

Reclaiming Intangible Cultural Heritage

This revival was not just a business effort; it was a cultural one. The work led to a moment of great validation. The "Jingyang Fu Brick Tea making technique" was officially recognized and listed as National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

This designation was more than just a plaque on a wall. It was an official acknowledgment from the highest cultural authorities that Jingyang is the authentic origin of this craft. Its status is confirmed by its official recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, proof of its historical legitimacy and the success of the revival movement.

The Modern Face of an Ancient Tea

Today, Shaanxi Fu Brick Tea is thriving once more. The new wave of production focuses on restoring the original character of the tea that made it a legend.

Leading this renaissance are producers like Jingwei, who are dedicated to bringing back the original quality of this historic tea. They combine old techniques with modern quality control to produce Fu Bricks that truly express their Jingyang roots. You can learn more about them in our Jingwei Fu Tea guide. The legend has not only returned home—it is being written anew.

The Enduring Legacy: Why the History of Fu Brick Tea Matters Today

Understanding the full history of Fu Brick Tea—its birth in Shaanxi, its long stay in Hunan, and its modern revival in its homeland—is more than just academic. It deeply enriches the experience of drinking the tea itself.

This knowledge transforms a simple cup into a vessel of history, allowing you to appreciate the subtle differences in character and philosophy that define the tea today.

A Tale of Two Teas: Appreciating the Difference

Knowing this history helps explain why Fu Brick Teas from Shaanxi and Hunan can have different characteristics. Shaanxi producers, as part of their revival, often focus on the historical processing methods and the unique impact of Jingyang's climate, trying to recreate the original Silk Road tea.

Hunan, with its decades of continuous production, has developed its own distinct traditions and terroir. Appreciating both is possible, but recognizing the original lineage provides important context for any serious tea enthusiast.

Connecting with History, One Sip at a Time

To choose and brew a brick of Jingyang Fu Tea is to take part in its homecoming. It is to taste the revival of a lost art and connect with a legacy that goes back over 600 years to imperial courts and desert caravans.

Each brew releases a story of geography, accidental discovery, political shifts, and cultural resilience. The journey through time enhances the tasting experience. If you're ready to start your own journey, our guide on how to choose and brew Fu Brick tea is the perfect next step.

The story of its origin, its unique golden flowers, and its cultural journey is vast and fascinating. To learn even more, explore The Ultimate Guide to Fu Brick Tea (Fuzhuan Tea).

Conclusion: The Unbroken Thread of a Tea Legend

The history of Fu Brick Tea is a long story of trade, culture, and craft. It's a tale that was broken by the forces of the 20th century, leading to fifty years where the tea's story was told without its main character.

But the thread of this legend, though stretched thin, was never broken.

From Ancient Caravans to Modern Tea Tables

From its beginnings as a vital food for Silk Road nomads to its modern appreciation by tea lovers worldwide, Fu Brick Tea has shown remarkable staying power. Its journey reflects the enduring spirit of the cultures it once supported.

The Spirit of Jingyang Lives On

The return of Fu Brick Tea production to Shaanxi is the final, triumphant chapter in this long story. It confirms that while techniques can be moved and production can be relocated, the soul of something is tied to where it was born. The spirit of Fu Tea, created in the unique climate and busy hub of Jingyang, is finally home.

FAQ

What is Fu Brick Tea and what makes it special?
Fu Brick Tea is a traditional dark tea featuring "Golden Flowers" (Eurotium cristatum), a beneficial mold that improves flavor and provides health benefits. It originated in Shaanxi and was crucial for nomadic peoples along the Silk Road.
Where did Fu Brick Tea actually originate?
Fu Brick Tea originated in Jingyang, Shaanxi province (not Hunan as commonly believed) over 600 years ago, where its unique processing methods were developed due to the region's specific climate conditions.
Why was Fu Brick Tea production moved from Shaanxi to Hunan?
In the 1950s, the Chinese government moved production to Hunan for efficiency, as it was closer to the source of raw tea leaves, resulting in a 50-year absence from its birthplace.
How was Fu Brick Tea production restored to its original home in Shaanxi?
In the early 21st century, Shaanxi entrepreneurs and cultural historians worked to recover the original techniques, studying ancient texts and consulting elderly artisans to revive the authentic process.
What's the difference between Shaanxi and Hunan Fu Brick Tea?
Shaanxi Fu Brick Tea focuses on historical processing methods and Jingyang's unique climate to recreate the original Silk Road tea, while Hunan has developed its own distinct variations during its decades of continuous production.

Each year, we serve thousands of satisfied tea enthusiasts in our tea house, and we're excited to share these exceptional teas with tea lovers worldwide at Orientaleaf.com.

Try our award-winning Jingyang Fu Brick Tea – authentic taste, crowned World Tea Champion 2025 >>, and don’t forget to Join Us for updates and exclusive offers.