Tea Knowledge: Why is there a small piece of paper pressed into a Pu'er tea cake?

When you remove the tissue paper from a Pu'er tea cake, you might find a small, square piece of paper with patterns and text printed on it.

But do you know what this small piece of paper is? What is its purpose inside the tea cake?

Now, let's answer the question for tea lovers: what is this "small piece of paper"?

This seemingly ordinary piece of paper pressed into the tea cake is actually Pu'er tea's "identity card," called "Nei Fei."

It's embedded into the tea cake from the very beginning of the pressing process, firmly bonding to the tea leaves and making it difficult to replace or counterfeit.

Its existence is not only a testament to tea history, but also reflects the Chinese people's unwavering pursuit of "authenticity."

What exactly is "Nei Fei"?

Simply put, it's a small piece of paper pressed into tea cakes, Tuo tea, or brick tea, bearing the manufacturer's or custom-made mark.

When drinking tea, after tearing off the tissue paper, this piece of paper is often hidden on the surface or inside the tea cake. It's small in size but substantial—it acts like a "security chip" for Pu'er tea, its core function being to verify the tea's authenticity.

Why is the "inner fly" necessary?

This stems from the unique properties of Pu'er tea. Its aroma increases with age, making it a favorite among collectors. The value of aged tea increases with age, making it a valuable asset for counterfeiters. So, how can one verify the identity of a tea cake?

The "inner fly" was born. Pressed inside the tea, unlike the outer wrapping, it's difficult for counterfeiters to replace the fly without damaging the tea cake, even if they wanted to.

This "physical embedding" anti-counterfeiting logic makes the inner fly the most reliable "identity verification" for Pu'er tea.

Looking back at the history of Pu'er tea, the story of the "inner fly" begins in the Qing Dynasty. During the era of number-grade tea (from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China), Pu'er tea was still popularly packaged in naked cakes—no tissue paper, no inner ticket, only an outer layer of bamboo husk.

The only thing that proved the tea's identity was the "inner flyer" pressed into the tea cake.

Tea merchants at the time were well versed in anti-counterfeiting tactics. Established brands like Tongchanghao, Songpinhao, and Tongqinghao would print the company name and the name of the person in charge on the inner flyer, sometimes using special fonts or illegible graphics.

These details, like ancient "secret seals," allowed only insiders to verify authenticity.

Imagine tea merchants a century ago holding a cake of tea, gently peeling back the tissue paper, and identifying the tea's origin by the subtle markings on the inner flyer. This unwavering commitment to quality is the very foundation of Pu'er tea culture.

During the era of printed-grade tea (from the 1950s to the 1970s), Pu'er tea packaging began to standardize. Cotton paper replaced the bamboo husk, and the packaging bore the traditional Chinese characters "China Tea Company Yunnan Province Company" and "China Tea Brand Round Tea".

At this time, the "Inner Flying" trademark was unified into the "Eight Chinese Tea" trademark—a single "tea" in the center, surrounded by eight "Zhong" characters, creating a simple and eye-catching design.

However, this unified trademark also brought a new problem: its anti-counterfeiting capabilities were weakened. Because of its fixed design, it was easier for counterfeiters to imitate, and the "Inner Flying" gradually shifted from a "secret key" to a "universal symbol."

However, the "Inner Flying" of this period still retained its brand identity, becoming an important indicator for veteran tea lovers to determine the age of their teas.

In 2007, the Pu'er tea market ushered in a technological revolution. Dayi Tea was the first to introduce a new type of "Inner Flying" on some of its teas. A faint dark brown line was visible on the paper, with the words "Da Yi" printed in laser microprint. In certain locations, the microprinted letters "DAYI" could be seen through a magnifying glass.

This high-tech anti-counterfeiting measure deterred counterfeiters.

Modern tea companies sometimes use embedded QR codes on their "Inner Flying" labels, or use special inks, even color-changing inks that appear different under different lighting conditions. The addition of technology has elevated "Inner Flying" from a traditional paper label to "anti-counterfeiting technology."

Interestingly, today's "Inner Flying" not only protects against counterfeiting but also adds a layer of cultural warmth. The rise of customized tea has made "Inner Flying" a vehicle for emotional connection.

Some people press "Inner Flying" stamped with inscribed blessings into tea cakes and give them to friends or family. Others carve their children's names and birthdays into the stamped stamp, much like the Shaoxing people do with "Zhuangyuanhong" and "Nü'erhong" teas, treating Pu'er tea as a gift of time.

A tea lover once shared, "I saved a cake of customized tea from 2018. The stamped stamp reads, 'Let's drink together ten years later. May you, like the tea, become more fragrant with age.'

Now, every time I see this stamped stamp, I'm reminded of the promise I made with my friend." This humane innovation has transformed "Inner Flying" from a simple anti-counterfeiting tool into a bond connecting people and time.

Why has "Inner Flying" become such an indispensable part of Pu'er tea?

The answer may lie in its irreplaceability.

The physical embedding process makes replacement extremely costly, while specialized anti-counterfeiting technology complicates counterfeiting. However, the cultural significance it carries imbues it with a vitality that transcends practical value.

From the anti-counterfeiting battles waged by Qing Dynasty merchants to the safeguards of modern technology, and finally to the emotional connection offered by personalized customization, "Nei Fei" has witnessed Pu'er tea's transformation from a commodity to a cultural icon.

Next time you hold a cup of Pu'er tea, consider the small piece of paper inside the cake. It could be a code of history, a token of personal appreciation, or the unwavering commitment of a generation of tea connoisseurs to upholding quality.

In an era where authenticity is difficult to distinguish, "Nei Fei" tells us in the simplest terms: authentic Pu'er tea never needs fancy packaging; its essence lies within this small piece of paper.