Liu an basket tea is a liu an gua pian green tea which has been fired and steamed compressed into baskets for aging. Like most hei cha, liu an begins similar to green tea and is aged to undergo flavor and aroma development via post-fermentation. Liu An tea is a famous tea originating in An Hui Province in China. This region has a long tradition of making post-fermented teas like their neighbors in Yunnan province who make Puer.  The manufacturing process is similar to Puer. Liu An is a much sought after favourite among tea connoisseurs.
 
Liu-an is traditionally brewed by gongfu style. Also it is a tradition to brew a piece of the bamboo wrapping with the tea together. Medicinally, dried aged mandarin orange peel is sometimes added to the tea, though this might add unsavory seasoning to unglazed pots, such as yixing teapots.