{"product_id":"bingdao-aged-raw-puerh-coin-cakes-2020","title":"Bingdao Aged Raw Pu-erh Coin Cakes — Mengku Rongshi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRaw pu-erh from Bingdao's core growing area, made from 2020 harvest material that was aged before being pressed and released. Mengku Rongshi — the brand widely credited with establishing Bingdao's reputation — has been sourcing from this area since 1984. Classic Bingdao character: rock-sugar sweetness, a clean cooling finish, and strong salivation that stays long after the cup is empty. Compressed into 8g coin cakes, packaged in small boxes of five. Available as a single box (40g) or a full set of eight boxes (320g).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMengku Rongshi and Bingdao\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBingdao is now one of the most recognized — and most sought-after — tea origins in China. Mengku Rongshi has been sourcing from the area since 1984, long before it was a name anyone outside the local tea trade knew. When the brand released their first Bingdao tea, the \"Mother Tree\" ( 母树茶), in 2005, it was among the first to formally introduce this material to a wider market. The description that has followed the brand since — \u003cem\u003ethe brand that excavated Bingdao\u003c\/em\u003e — reflects that history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a brand that discovered Bingdao recently. They were there before the reputation existed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Material and the Aging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raw material for this tea was harvested in 2020 from high-grade Bingdao area gardens — one bud plus two leaves, selected to the same standard as the brand's other Bingdao products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than pressing immediately after processing, the brand held the material in dry storage at their Yunnan factory — allowing it to settle, integrate, and develop before compression. The first batch was pressed and released in 2023 after aging in dry storage. Subsequent batches — released in 2024, 2025, and 2026 — draw from the same 2020 material, pressed and released in their respective years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter leaving the factory, the tea has been stored in Xi'an, in northwest China. Xi'an's climate is dry, with low annual humidity and clear seasonal variation — a natural dry storage environment that allows aging to continue cleanly and slowly, without the intervention of high ambient moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Note on the Year Marked on Your Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is released in batches: the first in 2023, with subsequent batches in 2024, 2025, and 2026. All batches are made from the same 2020 raw material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrders are fulfilled starting from the earliest available batch. The production year printed on your box reflects the actual pressing and release date of that specific batch — not the harvest year, which is 2020 for all batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat this means in practice: whichever batch you receive, the raw material is the same. If anything, later batches have had more time to age before you open them. The \"aged\" designation describes the minimum aging at first release; actual aging at time of drinking may be longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have a preference for a specific release year, feel free to contact us before ordering and we'll confirm current stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Bingdao Raw Pu-erh Tastes Like\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBingdao has a flavor profile that's distinct enough that experienced drinkers can often identify it blind. The defining characteristics are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweetness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not the mild background sweetness of many teas — Bingdao sweetness is forward and specific. The comparison that comes up most often is rock sugar or ice sugar water ( 冰糖水). It's clean and high-toned, and it starts at the front of the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCooling finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e After swallowing, there's a noticeable cooling sensation on the tongue and at the back of the throat. This is one of Bingdao's signatures. It's not menthol — it's subtler and more natural, and it persists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalivation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong, active, and lasting. The mouth stays lively for several minutes after each sip. This is the quality that makes people reach for another cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Floral and honeyed in the early steepings, shifting toward something quieter and more settled as the session continues. The cup aroma is sweet and clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale gold to light amber, clear and bright. The texture has weight to it — not thin, not heavy, but substantial for a raw pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBitterness and astringency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Present, as they are in all quality raw pu-erh, but not dominant. They resolve quickly into sweetness. After several years of aging, the initial sharpness of a young sheng has softened; the tea is more approachable than it would have been at production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn drinking now vs. aging further:\u003c\/strong\u003e This tea is at a good stage to drink. The aging period has taken the edge off the rawness without flattening the character. It will continue to develop with further storage — but there is no need to wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Coin Format\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach coin weighs 8g and is scored with a cross, dividing it into four 2g quarters. For gongfu brewing, one coin is a practical starting amount for a standard 100–120ml gaiwan. Breaking the coin into quarters lets you fine-tune without having to pry apart a larger compressed cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe small-box format — five coins per box — also makes this easy to give. It's a compact, complete package for someone who wants to try Bingdao raw pu-erh without committing to a full-size cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePackaging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFormat\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eContents\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 × 8g coins (40g total)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 boxes × 5 coins (320g total)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduced in compliance with Chinese national food safety standards (GB standard).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMengku Rongshi tea-making tradition recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVessel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA porcelain gaiwan is the ideal choice for Bingdao raw pu-erh — it's neutral, shows the soup color clearly, and doesn't interfere with the high, clean sweetness of the tea. A glass teapot works well too. Yixing clay is fine, but use a pot that hasn't been seasoned with ripe pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFiltered or spring water. \u003cstrong\u003e90–95°C (194–203°F)\u003c\/strong\u003e — slightly below full boil preserves the floral notes in the early steepings. Full boil is also acceptable if that's what you have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRatio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne coin (8g) per 100–120ml. Break into quarters to adjust down if preferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRinse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne quick rinse, 5 seconds. Discard. This opens the leaves and removes any surface dust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteeping Times (Gongfu)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSteepings\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTime\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 seconds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 seconds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 onward\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtend gradually\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cooling finish and salivation are most noticeable when the soup has cooled slightly in the cup — let it rest for ten seconds before drinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCasual brewing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne coin in a 350ml teapot or large mug, water at 90–95°C, steep 2 minutes. Strain and drink. Simple and effective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eStorage After Purchase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep somewhere cool, dry, and away from strong odors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe original small-box packaging is adequate for short-term storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor longer storage, place the boxes in a clean cardboard box or ceramic jar, away from direct light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo airtight sealing — some air exchange is beneficial for continued aging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn a very dry climate, don't leave coins fully exposed; keep them in their box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea can be drunk now and will continue to develop slowly with time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore the full range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Return to the \u003ca href=\"\/ja\/collections\/mengku-rongshi\"\u003eMengku Rongshi collection\u003c\/a\u003e to see all teas from this Shuangjiang, Lincang factory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"戎氏","offers":[{"title":"Single Box 5 × 8g coins (40g total)","offer_id":58370540667183,"sku":null,"price":17.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Full Box 8 boxs × 5 coins (320g total)","offer_id":58370540699951,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0848\/4854\/1999\/files\/01-2020-bingdao-raw-puerh-coin-cakes-full-gift-set.jpg?v=1787723383","url":"https:\/\/orientaleaf.com\/ja\/products\/bingdao-aged-raw-puerh-coin-cakes-2020","provider":"Orientaleaf","version":"1.0","type":"link"}