Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Dragon Pearls | 300-Year Gushu | Lincang 2021

• Tea Type: Sheng / Raw Pu-erh (生普洱)
• Raw Material Year: 2021 Spring Harvest
• Production/Pressing Year: 2021
• Origin Region: Lincang Tea District, Yunnan Province, China
• Tree Age: 300+ years (Gushu / 古树 Ancient Trees)
• Tea Factory: Chunming Tea Factory (春茗茶厂), Ancient Tea Forest Series
• Harvest Season: Spring (pre-Qingming and early spring flush)
• Picking Standard: Hand-picked; no rain-harvested leaves, no pest-damaged leaves
• Form: Dragon Pearl (Lóng Zhū 龙珠) — hand-rolled tea balls
• Package Contents: 15 individually wrapped dragon pearls, 8g each (120g total net weight)
• Packaging: Elegant gift box with individual pearl sachets
• Storage History: Dry storage (干仓) — Kunming and Xi'an climate-controlled warehouses
• Storage Condition: Clean, odor-free, humidity-controlled environment; no off-flavors or mustiness
• Maturity Stage: Young-to-Early Aged (approximately 4-6 years post-production); vibrant and lively with emerging depth. Suitable for immediate drinking or further aging 15-25+ years.
• Brewing Endurance: 15+ infusions per pearl

Appearance & Aroma (Dry Leaf)

• Visual: Tightly hand-rolled spherical pearls with visible silver-tipped buds (Yá Tóu 芽头) emerging from dark green compressed leaves. Uniform pearl size indicates careful hand-rolling craftsmanship.
• Dry Aroma: Pronounced floral bouquet reminiscent of orchid and wild mountain honey, with subtle vegetal undertones of fresh green beans and sun-dried hay. Clean, inviting, and complex.

Wet Leaf (After Brewing)

• Visual: Leaves unfurl to reveal full, plump, and highly intact spring buds and young leaves. Vibrant olive-green color with excellent elasticity—a hallmark of ancient tree material with superior cellular vitality.
• Wet Aroma: Intensified floral-honey fragrance with emerging notes of apricot and a faint cooling minerality. Exceptional clarity with no off-notes.

Liquor Color

• Description: Bright yellow-green with golden highlights; crystal clear with notable viscosity visible when tilting the cup. The clarity indicates clean processing and proper storage.

Mouthfeel

• Texture: Silky, smooth, and medium-bodied with a subtle oiliness that coats the palate. Refined and elegant rather than heavy.
• Huigan (回甘, Returning Sweetness): Pronounced and long-lasting; begins approximately 10-15 seconds after swallowing and builds progressively with each infusion.
• Shēngjīn (生津, Salivation): Active and persistent; creates a refreshing, mouth-watering sensation concentrated at the sides of the tongue and extends to the throat.
• Throat Resonance (喉韵, Hóu Yùn): Soft, lingering sweetness descends into the throat with a gentle, soothing quality that persists for several minutes.

Core Flavor Notes

• Primary Notes: White floral (jasmine, orchid), raw honey, fresh apricot
• Secondary Notes: Green melon, sweet hay, light vegetal crispness
• Tertiary Notes (Later Infusions): Emerging stone fruit sweetness, subtle mineral backbone, hints of brown sugar
• Flavor Evolution: Early infusions emphasize bright florals and delicate sweetness; middle infusions develop richer honey-apricot depth; later infusions reveal a calm, persistent sweetness with clean minerality.

Empty Cup & Finish

• Empty Cup Aroma (挂杯香, Guà Bēi Xiāng): Lingering honey and floral fragrance remains detectable in the empty cup for 10+ minutes—an indicator of premium ancient tree material.
• Finish: Extended and clean; the sweetness fades gradually without any astringent or bitter aftertaste. Final impression is of pure, calming sweetness.

Body Sensation / Chaqi (茶气)

• Physical Response: Gentle warming sensation beginning in the chest and radiating outward. Many drinkers report mild perspiration on the back and forehead after 4-5 infusions, indicating active Chaqi.
• Mental Effect: Calming yet alert; promotes a focused, meditative state without drowsiness. Often described as "washing away the dust of the world" (风尘洗尽).
• Chaqi Intensity: 4/5 — Notably strong for a young Sheng Pu-erh; the ancient tree origin contributes significant energetic depth that will concentrate further with age.

How can you guarantee these leaves come from 300-year-old ancient tea trees?

Chunming Tea Factory operates as a vertically integrated producer with direct ownership and long-term stewardship agreements over designated ancient tea forest plots in the Lincang region. Unlike brokers or blenders who purchase leaves on the open market, Chunming maintains full traceability from tree to finished product. The factory has built a strong reputation within China's specialty tea community and among international collectors for honesty and consistency. Ancient tree verification in Yunnan involves local government registration, community knowledge passed through generations of tea-farming families, and observable botanical characteristics—Gushu trees display distinctive thick trunks, expansive root systems, and unique leaf morphology that experienced processors can identify immediately. Professor Gong Zhengli's academic involvement adds an additional layer of credibility, as his professional reputation depends on factual accuracy. While no tea carries laboratory DNA certification of tree age, Chunming's direct-source model and industry standing provide the strongest assurance available in the authentic Pu-erh market.

What flavor profile should I expect from this raw Pu-erh, and how will it change over time?

Upon opening, this 2021 spring harvest raw Pu-erh delivers an immediate floral explosion—expect pronounced orchid and jasmine aromatics layered over raw wildflower honey sweetness and subtle fresh apricot notes. The mouthfeel is silky and refined, not heavy or aggressive, with a clean mineral backbone that speaks to the ancient trees' deep root systems. Returning sweetness (Huigan) builds progressively, leaving a lasting impression of brown sugar and stone fruit in the throat. As with all quality Sheng Pu-erh, the flavor profile will transform significantly over the coming decades. Years 5-10 typically see the bright floral notes soften into deeper honey and dried fruit characteristics. Years 10-20 introduce emerging woody complexity, leather hints, and concentrated sweetness. Beyond 20 years, expect camphor, aged plum, and a profoundly smooth, almost medicinal depth. The individual pearl format and dry storage history make this tea exceptionally well-suited for long-term aging experiments—consider setting aside several pearls to open at 5-year intervals and document your own tasting journey.

How do I properly brew these dragon pearl raw Pu-erh for optimal flavor?

Dragon pearls require a slightly modified approach compared to loose-leaf or cake Pu-erh because the tightly compressed form needs time to unfurl. Begin by placing one 8g pearl into a 100-120ml gaiwan or a travel-friendly infuser cup. Rinse with freshly boiled water (95-100°C), pour off immediately, and discard—this "awakens" the leaves and rinses surface dust. Pour a second brief rinse (3-5 seconds) to further open the pearl; this liquid can be discarded or sipped as a light preview. From the third infusion onward, begin your drinking session: start with 5-second steeps for infusions 3-7, then gradually extend to 10-15 seconds for infusions 8-12, and 20-30 seconds for later infusions as the leaves exhaust. Expect 15+ quality infusions from each pearl. After approximately the fifth infusion, consider transferring the partially spent leaves to a clay, silver, stainless steel, or glass pot for gentle boiling—this extraction method reveals richer, more rounded fruit sweetness and extends the session further. Always use filtered or spring water for best results.

What is the best way to store this tea for aging, and can I keep it in the refrigerator?

Proper storage is essential for Pu-erh aging, and this tea should never be stored in a refrigerator. Refrigeration introduces moisture fluctuation, foreign odors from other foods, and temperature swings that damage the microbial environment necessary for healthy Sheng Pu-erh transformation. Instead, follow the "Three Avoidances" principle: avoid odors (store away from kitchens, spices, perfumes, and cleaning products), avoid excess moisture (target 60-70% relative humidity; avoid bathrooms or damp basements), and avoid direct sunlight (UV degrades tea compounds and causes premature aging). Ideal storage uses a dedicated cabinet, cardboard box, or unglazed ceramic vessel in a room with stable temperature (15-28°C) and moderate humidity. The individual wrapping on each pearl provides an extra protective layer, but for long-term cellaring beyond 5 years, consider grouping pearls together in a larger sealed container or pumidor to maintain consistent microclimate. This tea has already been professionally dry-stored in Kunming and Xi'an, so it arrives in optimal condition—your job is simply to maintain that environment and let time work its transformation.

Brewing Guide for Raw Pu-erh Dragon Pearls

Recommended Equipment:

• Gaiwan (盖碗) — 100-120ml capacity, porcelain or ceramic preferred
• Alternatively: Yixing clay teapot, glass teapot, or portable infuser cup

Brewing Parameters:

• Tea Amount: 1 dragon pearl (8g) per 100-120ml water
• Water Quality: Filtered or natural spring water; avoid distilled or heavily chlorinated tap water
• Water Temperature: 95°C - 100°C (203°F - 212°F); freshly boiled is ideal for raw Pu-erh

Step-by-Step Brewing Method:

Step 1 — Waking the Tea (醒茶, Xǐng Chá):
Waking the tea is critical for compressed forms like dragon pearls. Place the pearl in your preheated gaiwan. Pour freshly boiled water over the pearl to fully submerge it. Immediately pour off this water (within 3-5 seconds). This rinse serves three purposes: it raises the leaf temperature to prepare for extraction, it rinses any surface dust accumulated during processing and storage, and it begins loosening the tightly compressed leaves. Discard this liquid.

Step 2 —润茶 (Rùn Chá) - Moistening Rinse:
Pour a second rinse of hot water, allowing it to sit for 5-8 seconds as the pearl begins to noticeably expand. Pour off and discard (or sip lightly as a preview). At this stage, the pearl should be visibly opening, with outer leaves beginning to separate.

Step 3 — First Drinking Infusions (Infusions 3-7):
Pour water in a circular motion over the partially opened pearl. Steep for approximately 5 seconds, then pour into your fairness pitcher (公道杯, Gōng Dào Bēi) and serve. The short steep times prevent over-extraction and preserve the tea's layered complexity. Repeat, maintaining 5-second steeps for the first several drinking infusions.

Step 4 — Middle Infusions (Infusions 8-12):
As the leaves continue to open fully and release their compounds, gradually extend steeping time to 10-15 seconds. Watch for the liquor color to maintain brightness—this indicates the leaves still have significant flavor to offer.

Step 5 — Later Infusions & Boiling (Infusions 13+):
Extend steep times to 20-30 seconds. Once the flavor begins to thin noticeably, transfer the spent leaves to a ceramic pot, silver kettle, stainless steel pot, or heat-resistant glass pot. Add 500-800ml of water and bring to a gentle boil for 3-5 minutes. This boiling method extracts remaining sugars and deeper woody-fruit notes, producing a rich, soothing brew with pronounced honey sweetness.

Yield: 15+ quality infusions per 8g dragon pearl when brewed attentively.

Storage Recommendations for Long-Term Aging

The Three Avoidances Principle (三无原则):

1. Avoid Foreign Odors:
   Pu-erh tea readily absorbs surrounding aromas. Never store near kitchens, spice cabinets, incense, perfumes, cleaning supplies, or strong-smelling materials. Dedicate a specific cabinet, box, or storage vessel exclusively for tea.
2. Avoid Excess Moisture:
   Maintain relative humidity between 60-70% for optimal aging. Environments that are too dry (below 50%) slow microbial activity and flavor transformation; environments that are too humid (above 75%) risk mold development and off-flavors. Avoid bathrooms, basements, or any area prone to condensation.
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight:
   UV radiation breaks down tea polyphenols and chlorophyll, causing premature degradation and flavor loss. Store in opaque containers or dark cabinets away from windows.

Critical Warning — No Refrigerator Storage:
Unlike green tea or light oolongs, Pu-erh must never be refrigerated. Cold storage halts the enzymatic and microbial processes essential for aging, introduces damaging humidity fluctuations, and exposes tea to food odors that permanently compromise flavor.

Recommended Storage Solutions:

• Unglazed ceramic jar (紫砂罐) with loose-fitting lid for air exchange
• Cardboard box lined with clean paper, stored in a stable interior room
• Dedicated "pumidor" (humidity-controlled cabinet) for serious collectors
• Keep the original individual pearl wrappers intact for added protection

Ideal Conditions:

• Temperature: 15-28°C (59-82°F), stable year-round
• Humidity: 60-70% relative humidity
• Air: Clean, gently circulating; not hermetically sealed
• Location: Interior room, away from exterior walls

Storage Note:
This tea has been professionally dry-stored in Kunming and Xi'an since production—two locations renowned for ideal Pu-erh aging climates. It arrives in pristine condition with no musty odors or storage defects. Your responsibility is simply to maintain these favorable conditions and allow time to develop the tea's remarkable aging potential.