Snow Mountain Rare Wild Ancient Tree Sheng Pu-erh (2016–2023) – 100g Mini Cake

• Tea Type: Sheng (Raw) Pu-erh / 生普洱
• Harvest Years: 2016-2023 (Multi-year curated selection)
• Tea Tree Type: Wild Ancient Tea Trees (Gushu / 古树) from natural forest environment
• Origin: Yunnan Province, China - Snow Mountain Highland Tea Forests
• Elevation: High Mountain, 1,200-1,800 meters above sea level
• Raw Material Grade: Premium wild ancient tea leaves, hand-selected for optimal maturity
• Compression: 100g Mini Cake (Xiao Bing / 小饼), traditionally stone-pressed
• Storage History: Dry storage (Gan Cang / 干仓) in Kunming, Yunnan and Xi'an, Shaanxi under professional climate-controlled conditions
• Current Maturity Stage: Young-to-mid aged; ideal for both current drinking and continued aging. Ideally, a sheng puerh tea should be aged for at least five years to reach its flavor and aroma potential. This tea has achieved foundational maturation while retaining exceptional aging potential.
• Storage Condition Assurance: Professionally dry-stored with no off-flavors, no mustiness, no foreign odors - clean, pure, and ready for enjoyment or continued aging

Dry Leaf Appearance and Aroma:
The compressed cake displays a harmonious blend of olive-green and silvery-tipped leaves with visible whole buds, indicating careful hand-processing. Upon warming the dry leaves, an elegant bouquet emerges - delicate orchid florals intertwined with wild mountain flowers, a whisper of raw honey, and subtle mineral undertones that speak to the high-altitude forest terroir.

Wet Leaf Appearance and Aroma:
Once awakened by hot water, the leaves unfurl to reveal their full integrity - large, supple leaves with visible stems that confirm genuine wild ancient tree origin. The wet leaf releases intensified floral aromatics, now joined by notes of fresh apricot and a gentle vegetal sweetness reminiscent of spring meadows.

Liquor Color:
Vibrant golden-yellow with exceptional clarity, reminiscent of morning sunshine filtering through mountain mist. The liquor demonstrates good viscosity, leaving visible legs when swirled - a hallmark of mineral-rich ancient tree tea.

Palate and Mouthfeel:
The first sip reveals remarkable smoothness for a Sheng Pu-erh of this age - silky and full-bodied without aggressive bitterness or astringency. While young tea tree PuErh ends with a short and dry finish the moment that you swallow, Gushu tea leaves a lingering dry, juicy and tingling feeling and a sweet taste in the mouth. Flavor notes cascade through the palate: initial orchid florals, followed by honey sweetness, light malt complexity, and subtle wild herb undertones. The texture is velvety and coating, flowing gently across the tongue.

Empty Cup Aroma (Bei Di Xiang / 杯底香):
After the liquor is consumed, the empty cup retains a haunting fragrance of honeyed florals and distant forest air - a sign of exceptional raw material quality.

Finish and Huigan (Returning Sweetness / 回甘):
The finish is remarkably clean and refreshing, with a pronounced huigan that builds gradually and persists for several minutes. The sweetness rises from the throat and spreads across the entire mouth, accompanied by active salivation (Sheng Jin / 生津) that invites the next infusion.

Body Sensation (Chaqi / 茶气):
Common markers include a feeling of warmth in the chest, tingling in the fingertips, a "dropping" of the shoulders, and a quieting of the mind (a "stillness"). This tea delivers a balanced, uplifting chaqi - comforting rather than overwhelming, promoting a meditative calm ideal for mindful sipping. Many drinkers report gentle warming sensations and enhanced mental clarity.

Durability:
Exceptional steeping endurance - expect 12-18 quality infusions using gongfu method, with the tea revealing different facets as the session progresses. Clean throughout with absolutely no off-flavors or muddiness.

Q: What flavor profile can I expect from this tea?

A: This Snow Mountain wild ancient tree Sheng Pu-erh delivers a sophisticated flavor journey accessible to Western palates. Think of it as beginning with the delicate perfume of orchids and honeysuckle, transitioning through notes similar to acacia honey and light barley malt, and finishing with subtle herbal complexity reminiscent of chamomile or meadow grasses. Unlike some young Sheng Pu-erh that can be aggressively bitter or astringent, this tea's wild ancient tree origin and seven years of careful selection result in a remarkably smooth, well-rounded cup. The clean finish leaves a natural sweetness that continues building in your mouth long after swallowing - this "returning sweetness" (huigan) is highly prized among connoisseurs and is a defining characteristic of genuine Gushu quality.

Q: How will this tea change with further aging, and is it a good candidate for long-term storage?

A: This tea represents an exceptional aging candidate for several important reasons. Transformation is a major advantage of Pu-erh tea. It defines its market value and quality range. With aging, the tea's astringency and bitterness fade, while its richness and complexity increase. Because this tea was professionally dry-stored from the beginning in Kunming and Xi'an, it retains its original aromatic complexity while having already begun its transformation journey. Over the coming years and decades, expect the bright floral notes to deepen into honeyed amber tones, the body to become increasingly silky and thick, and the chaqi to mellow into profound, grounding warmth. The fact that it already drinks beautifully means you can enjoy it now while setting aside portions for future exploration.

Q: What is "chaqi" and how does this tea perform in that regard?

A: Chaqi (tea energy) refers to the physical and mental sensations experienced when drinking quality tea, beyond just taste and aroma. In TCM and Daoist cosmology, Qi is the vital life force that flows through all living things. Food and medicine are vehicles for Qi. Wild ancient tree teas like this one are renowned for producing the most distinctive chaqi experiences. Drinkers commonly report sensations of gentle warmth spreading through the chest, a calming mental clarity, relaxed shoulders, and enhanced mindfulness. This particular tea offers what we call "balanced" chaqi - uplifting without being overstimulating, calming without causing drowsiness. It is ideal for afternoon meditation sessions or focused work.

Q: Why does dry storage matter, and how should I store this tea at home?

A: While excessive moisture in wet storage promotes quick and heavy fermentation, dry storage encourages a transformation of the tea leaves through the activity of the internal enzymes in the tea leaves. The action of the enzymes happens naturally; thus, the tea ages slower. Dry storage preserves the tea's original character while allowing gradual, natural evolution. This Snow Mountain Sheng has been professionally dry-stored since production, ensuring you receive a clean, pure foundation. For home storage, store the puerh in a dark, cool, odor free, dry place that is safe from dramatic temperature fluctuations. Keep it away from kitchens, perfumes, and strong-smelling items. If your home is very dry (below 50% relative humidity), consider using a dedicated storage container with controlled humidity around 60-70%.

Brewing Guide

Gongfu Method (Recommended for Full Experience):

• Vessel: Gaiwan (110-130ml) or unglazed Yixing clay teapot
• Tea Amount: 6-8 grams per 110ml
• Water Temperature: 95-100C (203-212F) - use fully boiled water, slightly cooled
• Rinse: Perform 1-2 quick rinses (5-10 seconds each) to awaken the leaves; discard this water
• First Infusions (1-3): 10-15 seconds - the tea opens gradually, revealing floral top notes
• Middle Infusions (4-8): 15-25 seconds - peak complexity emerges with full body and sweetness
• Later Infusions (9-15+): 30-60 seconds, gradually extending - expect honeyed sweetness and lingering huigan
• Expected Steeps: 12-18 quality infusions with proper technique

Western Style (Simplified Approach):

• Vessel: Large teapot or infuser mug (350-500ml)
• Tea Amount: 3-5 grams
• Water Temperature: 95-100C (203-212F)
• Steeping Time: 3-4 minutes for first infusion, adding 30-60 seconds for subsequent infusions
• Expected Steeps: 3-5 quality infusions

Grandpa Style (Casual Enjoyment):

• Vessel: Tall glass or travel tumbler (300-500ml)
• Tea Amount: 2-3 grams
• Method: Add tea to vessel, pour hot water, and sip throughout the day, adding more water as needed. The leaves will sink naturally.

Pro Tips:

• Use filtered or spring water with balanced mineral content for best results
• Pre-warm your brewing vessel before adding tea
• Pour water gently along the side of the vessel rather than directly onto the leaves
• After the session, examine the spent leaves - quality Gushu leaves should be large, intact, and supple

Storage Recommendations

For Immediate Drinking (1-3 years):
Keep the mini cake in its original wrapper inside a cardboard box or clean paper bag. Store in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, strong odors, and humidity extremes. A dedicated tea cabinet or bookshelf in a temperature-stable room works well.

For Long-Term Aging (5-30+ years):
This managed ecosystem depends on three key factors that control how the tea changes: Humidity: The most important factor. Humidity helps microbes work. Higher humidity speeds up fermentation, while lower humidity slows it down.

• Temperature: Maintain stable temperatures between 20-28C (68-82F); avoid dramatic fluctuations
• Humidity: Target 60-70% relative humidity; too dry (below 50%) halts transformation, too humid (above 75%) risks mold
• Air Quality: Ensure clean, odor-free environment with gentle air circulation
• Light: Store in complete darkness or use opaque containers
• Isolation: Keep Sheng Pu-erh separate from Shou Pu-erh and other strongly aromatic teas

Pumidor Setup (For Serious Collectors):
Consider creating a dedicated "pumidor" using a sealed plastic container with humidity control packs (Boveda 62% or 65% recommended). I don't even think 69% is desirable on very good sheng, slower aging (65%) will preserve the tea better.

Important Notes:

• Never store pu-erh in the refrigerator or freezer
• Allow newly arrived tea to "rest" for 2-4 weeks before drinking to recover from shipping stress
• Check on aging tea periodically (every 3-6 months) to ensure no mold development
• Document your storage conditions and the tea's evolution over time