by LouPepe » Aug 20th, '17, 12:36
The issue is the lack of comprehension in the west about what tea is and could be. People know that wine is made from grapes and that there are expensive wines specifically because of terroir, grape quality, and great fermentation techniques. People are aware that certain coffees are better also due to terroir, organic farming, good soil etc., but many still don't even know that "tea" is strictly camellia sinensis plant. There's this universal term that describes any spice, leaf, root that is steeped, which in turn confuses, bewilders, and polarizes those who steep something that is called "tea" and have something truly underwhelming (including the mass/cheap true camellia teas in the market).
So puerh in general has a lot more hurdles in the west to gain a spotlight remotely similar to specialty coffee or trendy wine. Alternatively, would it COULD and is doing is attracting those who geek out on things. Like craft beer, as analogy I would compare the tart, funky lambics of Belgium which almost saw an extinction in the 70's-90's due to lack of interest with locals let alone beer consumers in other countries. But then the craft beer boom happened, the Shelton bros imported lambics to the US, a microscopic niche was born which turned into a small one. Now some of these lambic beers sell out instantly when made available! People stalk websites and stores. There is a secondary market for these beers with some selling at easily 20-40 times that of the original price, while a few rarities have sold for 100-500x . In turn these lambics created such a big demand that now US based breweries (and other world brewery's) are brewing up their own sour beers in masses, and selling them at wine prices all the while people are buying those up. And IMO the majority of these beers are not as good.
So you see, lambics is just a needle in a haystack in beer just as puerh is a needle in a haystack in tea. Yet, small but powerful market forces can change the whole outlook and economics of such small things. In addition, and unfortunately, tea growers can't just plant puerh plants in local tea gardens and expect to have a comparable product.
I dread for such things to happen to puerh, and hope with all my might that it doesn't catch on in the west. As people age and become more health conscious, they will turn away or moderate alcohol consumption and seek healthier things to consume. Think sushi 20 years ago in the US compared to now. People are much more adventurous nowadays and have expanded their palates. Add some expendable income and beware.