Sticky Rice Aroma Raw Pu-erh Cake (2013, 200g) – Lincang Blend

Twelve years of pristine dry aging meet Yunnan's legendary Nuomi Xiang herb in this utterly unique Sheng Pu-erh—where natural sticky rice fragrance and mid-aged smoothness create an unforgettable aromatic journey.

In the misty highlands of southern Yunnan, where tea culture and botanical wisdom intertwine across millennia, there exists a small, aromatic leaf known locally as Nuomi Xiang (糯米香, "Sticky Rice Fragrance"). This rare herb—Semnostachya menglaensis—grows wild in the same forests as ancient tea trees, releasing a natural fragrance so intoxicating it's been described as freshly steamed glutinous rice mixed with vanilla bean and sweet cream. For generations, Yunnan's ethnic minorities have used this plant as a natural flavor enhancer, and in the early 2000s, visionary tea makers pioneered something revolutionary: infusing premium raw Pu-erh with Nuomi Xiang's aromatic essence to create a category-defying tea experience.

This 2013 Sticky Rice Aroma Raw Pu-erh represents the apex of that tradition. Pressed over a decade ago using high-altitude spring material from Chunming Tea Factory's estates across Lincang, Fengqing, and Menghai (elevations around 1,800 meters), this 200g cake underwent traditional scenting with genuine Nuomi Xiang leaves—a meticulous process where fresh herb and tea are layered together, allowing the tea to absorb the plant's volatile aromatic oils (containing natural compounds like glutinous rice alcohol, vanillin, and thymol). The herb leaves are then completely removed, leaving behind pure fragrance embedded in the tea itself—no additives, no artificial flavoring, just botanical alchemy.

Now, after twelve years of pristine dry storage in Kunming and Xi'an warehouses, this tea has reached a magical equilibrium: the Nuomi Xiang fragrance has mellowed from its initial intensity into something more integrated and sophisticated, while the underlying Sheng Pu-erh has shed its youthful astringency and developed honeyed depth. The result is a mid-aged tea of dual personality—simultaneously exotic and comforting, aromatic yet substantive, unique yet unmistakably authentic Yunnan Pu-erh.

What does it taste like? Imagine pouring hot water over the leaves and watching them unfurl as waves of sweet rice pudding aroma fill the air—not cloying or artificial, but clean and naturally creamy, like walking past a kitchen where jasmine rice is being steamed with pandan leaves. The liquor glows bright reddish-amber (the description says "红亮," luminous red-bright, which in aged Sheng indicates oxidative maturation). First sip delivers layered complexity: there's the signature sticky rice cream sweetness upfront, followed by the mineral backbone of Lincang tea, then emerging honeyed stone fruit from twelve years of aging. The texture is smooth and mellow ("味醇厚")—no sharp edges, just rounded richness. And that finish? The Chinese description promises "回味之甘" (returning sweetness)—a lingering sweet aftertaste that coats your palate with both the herbal fragrance and the tea's natural sugars, lasting 10-15 minutes after you swallow.

But here's what makes this tea truly special: it's still evolving. At twelve years, this cake sits in prime mid-maturity—delicious today, but with another 10-15 years of transformation potential ahead. The Nuomi Xiang fragrance will continue to integrate, becoming less "perfume" and more "essence." The tea base will deepen from bright amber toward richer cognac hues, developing aged wood and medicinal notes. Continue dry storage, and by 2030 you'll have a rare aged scented Sheng that bridges botanical heritage and time-transformation—a tea that can't be rushed or replicated.

• Tea Type: Sheng Pu-erh (Raw Pu-erh / 生普洱茶) with Natural Nuomi Xiang Scenting (糯米香窨制)
• Special Designation: First-of-Its-Kind Innovation—Sticky Rice Aroma scented raw Pu-erh was pioneered by Yunnan tea masters; this represents authentic traditional craft
• Pressing Year: 2013 (giving this tea 12+ years of aging as of 2025)
• Net Weight: 200g compressed cake (smaller format ideal for personal exploration or gifting)
• Origin: High-Altitude Western & Southern Yunnan Blend
  • Primary regions: Lincang, Fengqing, Menghai
  • Elevation: ~1,800 meters (5,900 feet)—cooler mountain climate produces denser, more aromatic leaves
  • Sourced from Chunming Tea Factory's estate gardens across multiple peaks
• Raw Material: Yunnan large-leaf spring tea (云南大叶种春茶)—hand-picked, traditional sun-drying process
• Scenting Source: Authentic Nuomi Xiang (Semnostachya menglaensis)—rare wild herb native to Yunnan containing natural aromatic compounds:
  • Glutinous rice alcohol (糯米醇)
  • Vanillin (香草醇)
  • Thymol (麝香草酚)
  • Multiple aromatic esters (0.7–4% essential oil content in the herb)
• Scenting Method: Traditional layering technique—fresh Nuomi Xiang leaves and tea are alternated in layers, allowing natural oil absorption; herb is then completely removed (no plant material remains in final product)
• Processing: Stone-mold compression after scenting; moderate fermentation during storage
• Aging Stage: 12-Year Mid-Maturity Sheng—past harsh astringency; at optimal balance of aromatic vibrancy and aged smoothness
• Storage Condition: Premium Dry Storage (Kunming & Xi'an)—clean, slow aging preserves both herbal fragrance and tea base quality
• Current Drinkability: Excellent for immediate enjoyment—smooth, aromatic, no learning curve required
• Aging Potential: High (can continue aging 10-15+ years; fragrance will integrate further while tea base develops classic aged Sheng character)
• Cultural Significance: Represents Yunnan ethnic minority botanical wisdom—Nuomi Xiang has been used by local communities for centuries as digestive aid and natural flavoring
• Health Properties (Traditional): Valued for aiding digestion, relieving fatigue, clearing heat, promoting urination, supporting stomach health (as described in traditional use)

Storage Guidelines for Continued Aging

• Current Status: Already 12 years in dry storage—continue this trajectory
• Ideal Conditions: 60-70°F (15-21°C), 55-65% relative humidity, dark space, away from strong odors
• Special Consideration for Scented Tea: The Nuomi Xiang fragrance is volatile—avoid:
  • Overly humid storage (>70% RH)—can cause fragrance to dissipate or tea to develop off-notes
  • Strong competing odors (spices, coffee, etc.)—tea will absorb them
  • Frequent exposure to air—keep wrapped when not drinking
• Recommended: Continue dry storage in stable environment; check every 6-12 months
• Long-term Evolution: With proper storage, this tea will age beautifully for another 10-15 years (total 22-27 years), developing classic aged Sheng depth while retaining subtle aromatic signature

Quality Guarantees & Authentications

Heritage Craftsmanship Verification:

• First-of-Its-Kind Innovation: This tea represents Yunnan Pu-erh industry's pioneering effort to combine traditional ethnic minority herbal knowledge with premium tea production—a technique developed by master tea makers in the early 2000s and perfected over two decades
• Authentic Nuomi Xiang Sourcing: Genuine Semnostachya menglaensis wild herb from Yunnan's subtropical forests—contains verified natural aromatic compounds (glutinous rice alcohol, vanillin, thymol) at 0.7-4% essential oil concentration; no artificial flavoring or additives
• Traditional Scenting Method: Layered absorption process using fresh herb leaves (subsequently removed)—no chemical extraction, no spraying, no flavor oils; pure botanical transfer

Estate Quality Assurance:

• Chunming Tea Factory Pedigree: Sourced from established factory's high-altitude estates (1,800m) across Lincang, Fengqing, and Menghai—verified large-leaf spring tea from controlled-environment gardens
• 2013 Documented Pressing: Specific vintage with 12+ years of verifiable aging history; cake compression and storage timeline fully traceable

Storage Guarantee – Twelve Years of Pristine Dry Aging:

• Dual-Location Dry Storage: Continuously maintained in climate-controlled Kunming and Xi'an warehouses since 2013—optimal dry conditions (55-65% RH) that preserve both tea base quality and volatile aromatic compounds
• Clean Transformation Verified: Bright reddish-amber liquor, smooth mouthfeel, and persistent fragrance confirm proper storage conditions—no musty notes, no off-flavors, no humidity damage
• Aromatic Integrity: Twelve-year fragrance retention demonstrates successful long-term storage; natural herbal compounds remain stable and integrated rather than evaporated or degraded

Cultural Authenticity Certification:

• Ethnic Minority Botanical Heritage: This tea honors centuries of Dai, Hani, and Bulang peoples' traditional use of Nuomi Xiang herb for digestive health and natural flavoring
• Health Benefits Alignment: Traditional Chinese medicine properties attributed to the tea (digestive support, heat clearing, fatigue relief) align with documented herbal compounds in Nuomi Xiang
• "Beauty Tea" Designation: Historical consumer reputation as "美容茶" (beauty tea) reflects traditional beliefs about the herb's antioxidant and skin-health properties

Why This Tea Demands Your Attention

In a market saturated with artificially flavored teas and young Pu-erh, this 2013 Sticky Rice Aroma Raw Pu-erh occupies a category of one: authentic botanical scenting, twelve years of proven aging, and a flavor profile that bridges tradition and innovation.

What You're Acquiring:

Immediate Experience Value:

• A 200g cake of 12-year mid-aged Sheng with explosive natural sticky rice cream aroma—unique sensory experience unavailable in any other tea category
• Smooth, mellow drinking profile with dual-layer complexity: herbal sweetness plus aged tea depth—no harsh astringency, no learning curve required
• Traditional digestive and wellness properties from genuine Yunnan herbal wisdom—this is functional beverage as much as pleasure drink

Long-Term Investment Potential:

• Rare aging trajectory: most scented teas are consumed young; this tea has demonstrated 12-year fragrance retention and can continue aging 10-15+ more years into genuinely collectible territory
• Cultural artifact representing first-generation innovation in Yunnan Pu-erh scenting techniques—historical significance beyond flavor
• 200g format ideal for personal aging experiments: drink half, age half; compare evolution without committing to full 357g cake

Knowledge Expansion:

• Gateway to understanding Yunnan's ethnic minority botanical traditions—experience Indigenous knowledge embedded in tea
• Education in how natural scenting differs from artificial flavoring—smell and taste the difference
• Insight into mid-aged Sheng characteristics using an aromatic roadmap—the Nuomi Xiang helps you track transformation

Social Currency:

• Conversation-starter tea that stops people in their tracks—"Wait, this smells like rice pudding? And it's aged Pu-erh?"
• Excellent introduction tea for skeptics, dessert wine lovers, or those who think "I don't like Pu-erh"—the sticky rice aroma breaks down resistance
• Perfect gift for adventurous tea drinkers or collectors seeking unusual profiles

Secure This Aromatic Time Capsule Before It Becomes Unobtainable

The Supply Reality: This tea was pressed in 2013 from that year's spring harvest—a specific moment in time that cannot be recreated. Current inventory represents a finite historical artifact, not a replenishable commodity. Once depleted, the next available "12-year naturally scented Sheng" won't exist until 2026-2028 pressings mature, and there's no guarantee those will use authentic Nuomi Xiang or equivalent base tea quality.

The Aging Window Urgency: At twelve years, this tea sits at optimal balance—aromatic enough to showcase the Nuomi Xiang signature, aged enough to be smooth and complex, young enough to continue transforming for decades. This is the sweet spot. Wait five years, and you'll pay premium prices for 17-year aged scented Sheng (if you can find it). Buy now, and you control the aging trajectory.

The Format Advantage: 200g cakes are increasingly rare in premium tea—most producers focus on standard 357g or 100g mini formats. This size is ideal for personal exploration without overwhelming commitment, yet substantial enough for serious aging experiments.

Current Availability Status: Remaining inventory limited to existing dry-stored stock. This specific vintage—2013 pressing with documented Kunming/Xi'an storage—will not be restocked.

Recommended Action:

For Curious Explorers: Purchase one 200g cake to experience this unique tea category—discover whether naturally scented aged Sheng belongs in your tea journey. Risk is minimal; reward is discovering a flavor profile unavailable anywhere else.

For Collectors and Investors: Acquire 3-5 cakes—drink one immediately to establish baseline, age the remainder for 5, 10, and 15 more years. Create your own comparative time-lapse study. Document the Nuomi Xiang transformation alongside tea base evolution. You'll own a genuinely rare aging dataset.

For Gift-Givers: This tea converts skeptics and delights connoisseurs alike. The aromatic accessibility makes it perfect for introducing premium aged tea to those intimidated by traditional Pu-erh. Purchase multiple cakes to share the experience across your tea community.

Contact our tea specialists for personalized guidance on aging strategies, storage optimization, or volume purchasing. We're here to support your exploration of this remarkable intersection of botanical tradition and time-transformation.

When tea meets rare herb through traditional craft, then matures across a dozen years in pristine storage, the result transcends category. This is not merely flavored tea or aged Pu-erh—it is botanical alchemy captured in compressed leaf, waiting for your water to unlock its aromatic secrets.

Sticky Rice Aroma Raw Pu-erh 2013—Where Yunnan's forests, ethnic wisdom, and patient time converge in 200 grams of liquid poetry.