If you’re reading this, you probably know that you’re not supposed to boil your tea water, but you may not have a good grasp on precisely what temperatures are best for your different tea varieties. The unoxidized leaves that are used in white, yellow, and green teas are brewed at lower temperatures. The partially and fully oxidized oolong and black teas require higher temperatures to break down  their more complex molecular structure and release their full flavor. Below are some general guidelines for water temperature based on the variety of tea you’re drinking.

• White Tea: 149 to 158 °F
• Yellow Tea: 158 to 167 °F
• Green Tea: 167 to 176 °F
• Oolong Tea: 176 to 185 °F
• Black Tea: 210 °F
• Herbal Tea: 210 °F
• Pu-erh Tea: 203 to 212 °F

image via House of Sims

In southwest China, in the Xishuangbanna prefecture, there are six mountains — famous mountains, in fact. For a variety of reasons, tea cultivation has decreased dramatically or even ceased completely in some parts of these mountains. The tea trees here are old and wild. Camphor trees have grown among them, affecting their flavor. Like many nations, the natural forests of China are diminishing, and the trees that make up these old forests are a treasured gem — a gem that is perhaps most highly treasured by tea connoisseurs of a certain ilk: those that drink pu-erh tea.

Pu-erh tea is a unique, rare tea that grows from old, wild trees of a certain large-leaf variety. When bought, date and region of cultivation are noted, much like wine, because pu-erh, unlike other teas, can be aged. While many will sell pu-erh that has grown on a plantation, the authentic variety comes from the old, wizened trees of the forest. Due to economies, nature, and culture, the major tea growing plantations have changed numerous times throughout the history of China, and what were once known as the six famous mountains have since lost that honorary title; however, for the pu-erh connoisseur, these mountains are still of high esteem. Their names are:

• Gedeng — “leather stirrup”
• Mansa — “seed sowing bag”
• Mangzhi — “copper cauldron”
• Manzhuan — “iron brick”
• Yibang — “wooden clapper”
• Youle — “copper gong”

Image via tellytom