Mao Cha 毛茶 [mao ča] – – literally ‘hairy tea’. In this context, however, the word ‘mao’ should be translated more as ‘crude’, ‘raw’ or ‘unfinished’. The term Mao Cha refers to a pu-erh semi-finished product which is formed at a certain stage of production of any pu-erh. For its production, it is then necessary that the semi-finished product (maocha) is dried in the sun (there are several drying procedures – they determine the quality and taste of tea). This technological step has only one purpose – shaqing. After this step, the tea loses its grassy flavor and fresh green color, on the contrary, it gets soft.
Lao Mao Cha 老 毛茶 – literally an old maocha; maocha which has been purposefully stored for further maturation in a loose state; the process of natural post-fermentation (maturation) is significantly faster in the bulk state.
