What is tea bricks?

Tea bricks, also known as compressed tea or tea cakes, are a type of tea that has been tightly compressed into a solid shape. This form of tea has a long history, dating back to ancient China, where it was used as a form of currency and traded along the Silk Road.

Tea bricks are typically made with a variety of tea leaves, stems, and other materials, including herbs and spices, which are compressed using a hydraulic press. The resulting shape can vary, from a flat disc to a rectangular brick, and can be wrapped in paper or stored in bamboo or wooden boxes.

Tea bricks were popular because they were easy to transport and store, and could be easily broken apart and brewed for drinking. They were often used for long journeys, as well as for medicinal purposes.

Today, tea bricks are less common, but can still be found in specialty tea shops and online. They are often prized for their unique flavor profiles and the ritualistic process of breaking apart the tea and brewing it.