Changes

===Cultivation===

===Cultivation===

Perhaps equally or even more important than region or even grade in classifying ''pu-erh'' is the method of cultivation. ''pu-erh'' tea can come from three different cultivation methods:

Perhaps equally or even more important than region or even grade in classifying ''pu-erh'' is the method of cultivation. ''pu-erh'' tea can come from three different cultivation methods:

*Plantation bushes (''guànmù'', [[wiktionary:灌|灌]][[wiktionary:木|木]]; ''taídì'', [[wiktionary:台|台]][[wiktionary:地|地]]): Cultivated tea bushes, from the seeds or cuttings of wild tea trees and planted in relatively low altitudes and flatter terrain. The tea produced from these plants are considered inferior due to the use of pesticides and [[Fertilizer|chemical fertilizer]] in cultivation, and the lack of pleasant flavours, and the presence of harsh bitterness and astringency from the tea.

*Plantation bushes (''guànmù'', [[wiktionary:灌|灌]][[wiktionary:木|木]]; ''taídì'', [[wiktionary:台|台]][[wiktionary:地|地]]): Cultivated tea bushes, from the seeds or cuttings of wild tea trees and planted in relatively low altitudes and flatter terrain. The tea produced from these plants are considered inferior due to the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer in cultivation, and the lack of pleasant flavors, and the presence of harsh bitterness and astringency from the tea.

*"Wild arbor" trees (''yěfàng'', [[wiktionary:野|野]][[wiktionary:放|放]]): Most producers claim that their ''pu-erh'' is from wild trees, but most use leaves from older plantations that were cultivated in previous generations that have gone feral due to the lack of care. These trees produce teas of better flavour due to the higher levels of [[secondary metabolite]] produced in the tea tree. As well, the trees are typically cared for using organic practices, which includes the scheduled pruning of the trees in a manner similar to pollarding. Despite the good quality of their produced teas, "wild arbor" trees are not as prized as the truly wild trees.

*"Wild arbor" trees (''yěfàng'', [[wiktionary:野|野]][[wiktionary:放|放]]): Most producers claim that their ''pu-erh'' is from wild trees, but most use leaves from older plantations that were cultivated in previous generations that have gone feral due to the lack of care. These trees produce teas of better flavor due to the higher levels of secondary metabolite produced in the tea tree. As well, the trees are typically cared for using organic practices, which includes the scheduled pruning of the trees in a manner similar to pol larding. Despite the good quality of their produced teas, "wild arbor" trees are not as prized as the truly wild trees.

*''Wild trees'' (gŭshù, [[wiktionary:古|古]][[wiktionary:树|树]]; literally "old tree"): Teas from old wild trees, grown without human intervention, are the highest valued ''pu-erh'' teas. Such teas are valued for having deeper and more complex flavors, often with camphor or "mint" notes, said to be imparted by the many camphor trees that grow in the same environment as the wild tea trees. Young raw ''pu-erh'' teas produced from the leaf tips of these trees also lack overwhelming astringency and bitterness often attributed to young ''pu-erh''.

*''Wild trees'' (gŭshù, [[wiktionary:古|古]][[wiktionary:树|树]]; literally "old tree"): Teas from old wild trees, grown without human intervention, are the highest valued ''pu-erh'' teas. Such teas are valued for having deeper and more complex flavors, often with camphor or "mint" notes, said to be imparted by the many camphor trees that grow in the same environment as the wild tea trees. Young raw ''pu-erh'' teas produced from the leaf tips of these trees also lack overwhelming astringency and bitterness often attributed to young ''pu-erh''.