Yunnan Mini Raw Pu-erh Tea Bricks (4g Single Servings)

Tea Type and Classification

• Category: Sheng Pu-erh / Raw Pu-erh (生普洱茶, Sheng Puerh)
• Format: Mini compressed bricks (小砖茶, Xiao Zhuan Cha)
• Individual Brick Weight: 4 grams — ideal single-serving size for 100-150ml personal brewing

Vintage and Pressing Details

• Leaf Harvest Years: 2016-2017 Spring Tea Blend — multi-vintage selection for enhanced complexity and balance
• Pressing Date: February 2018
• Current Age: 8+ years as of 2024-2025

Origin and Terroir

• Province: Yunnan, China — the ancestral homeland of Pu-erh tea
• Regions: Triple-origin strategic blend from three legendary terroirs:Lincang (临沧): Contributes floral elegance and mineral clarityFengqing (凤庆): Provides robust body and sweet structural backboneMenghai (勐海): Adds depth, complexity, and exceptional aging potential
• Elevation: Approximately 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) — high-altitude gardens where cooler temperatures produce denser, more complex leaf material
• Terroir Character: Mist-shrouded mountain environment with year-round spring-like climate, fertile volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, and rich biodiversity

Raw Material and Processing

• Cultivar: Yunnan Large-Leaf Varietal (云南大叶种, Yunnan Dayezhong) — the broad-leaf genetics prized for aging transformation
• Harvest: Hand-picked spring flush
• Initial Processing: Traditional sun-drying (晒青, Shaiging) — the foundational step that preserves enzymatic activity for long-term aging
• Compression: Optimized structure for decades of continued maturation

Producer

• Factory: Chunming Tea Industry (春茗茶业)
• Credentials: Established producer with decades of Pu-erh expertise; awarded "China's Top 10 Pu-erh Brands" recognition (2008)

Maturity Stage

• Current Classification: Mid-Maturity Sheng — 8-9 years aged
• Development Phase: Past the harsh astringency of youth; entering the honeyed smoothness phase; retains vibrant energy and substantial aging runway
• Balance Point: Optimal intersection of immediate drinkability and future potential

Storage History

• Storage Type: Premium Dry Storage (干仓, Gan Cang)
• Warehouse Locations: Kunming (Yunnan) and Xi'an (Shaanxi) — both renowned for clean, moderate climates ideal for refined Sheng aging
• Storage Duration: Continuously stored under controlled conditions since February 2018
• Guarantee: Clean, slow transformation pathway with zero humid storage, no accelerated aging shortcuts, and absolutely no off-notes, mustiness, or contamination

Packaging

• Individual bricks wrapped separately for freshness protection
• Portable format requires no tools or equipment for serving
• Wrapper integrity preserves flavor and enables flexible aging strategies

Dry Leaf Appearance and Aroma

The mini bricks display even, uniform compression with excellent structural integrity. Close inspection reveals visible white buds (白芽显露, Bai Ya Xianlu) scattered throughout—a hallmark of quality spring material. The dry leaf color has transitioned from the bright green of youth toward deeper olive and brown tones characteristic of mid-aged Sheng.

The dry aroma announces transformation: honeyed stone fruit emerges first, followed by dried orchid and subtle camphor wood. Secondary notes of white peach and sweet hay linger beneath. Notably absent are any harsh green notes, raw astringency smell, or storage-related off-odors. The fragrance reads as "香气纯正" (pure, clean aroma)—refined sweetness with complete integrity.

Wet Leaf Appearance and Aroma

After steeping, the leaves unfurl to reveal supple, intact leaf material with good elasticity—evidence of quality processing and proper storage. The wet aroma intensifies the honeyed apricot character while releasing additional notes of mineral spring water and light bamboo.

Liquor Color

The tea soup glows a brilliant golden-amber (汤色明亮, Tang Se Mingliang)—clear and luminous with a warm, inviting glow. This color tells the aging story visually: no longer the pale yellow of young raw Pu-erh, but not yet the deep cognac or mahogany of decades-old tea. This perfect mid-age luminosity signals optimal current maturity.

Flavor and Mouthfeel

The first sip reveals the hallmark of successful mid-age transformation: silky smooth entry with astringency mellowed to a gentle, pleasant backbone rather than aggressive sharpness.

Primary Flavor Notes: Honeydew melon, dried longan, fresh honeycomb, white peach
Secondary Flavor Notes: Light bamboo, mineral stone, hint of aged orchid
Character: Sweet-forward profile with natural sugars dominating—bright enough to feel alive and energetic, yet mellow enough for comfortable, approachable drinking

The texture is substantial without heaviness—a coating quality that never becomes cloying. There is distinct minerality reminiscent of clean spring water, with emerging thickness that suggests the viscosity will continue developing with age.

Empty Cup Aroma (杯底香, Bei Di Xiang)

After the liquor is consumed, the empty vessel retains a persistent, sweet fragrance. Notes of warm honey, dried apricot, and faint floral orchid linger in the cup—an indicator of quality material and clean storage.

Finish and Aftertaste

Huigan (回甘, Sweet Return): Immediate and pronounced. Within 15-30 seconds after swallowing, a wave of natural sweetness floods the mouth and throat. This sensation persists for 15+ minutes with excellent duration and clarity.

Shengjin (生津, Salivation): Active and continuous. Both cheeks and the tongue root produce steady saliva flow—a sign of quality material and proper aging development.

Overall Finish: Remarkably clean with no bitter echoes or astringent aftertaste. The mouth feels refreshed, sweetened, and subtly coated with a light residual honey character.

Body Sensation (茶气, Chaqi)

This mid-aged Sheng delivers balanced, uplifting energy. Expect gentle warmth spreading through the chest and upper body within the first few steeps. Mental clarity arrives without jitters or overstimulation—an alert calmness that many describe as meditative.

The chaqi at this age is stronger and more substantive than young raw Pu-erh, yet gentler and more refined than the sometimes harsh energy of freshly pressed tea. With continued aging, this body sensation will deepen into grounding warmth with whole-torso radiating energy—the penetrating presence associated with premium aged Sheng.

Brewing Endurance (耐泡度, Nai Pao Du)

Highly durable brewing performance—each 4g brick easily delivers 10+ Gongfu-style infusions with sustained flavor quality. Unlike front-loaded teas that exhaust quickly, this Sheng maintains consistent character across steeps. Late infusions develop a pleasant honey-water sweetness that many drinkers particularly treasure.

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

A: This 8-year aged Sheng Pu-erh has moved well beyond the sharp, grassy, astringent character of young raw Pu-erh into a sweeter, smoother mid-aged profile. Expect primary flavors reminiscent of honeydew melon, ripe stone fruit like apricot and white peach, dried longan, and fresh honeycomb. You will notice secondary notes of light bamboo, mineral spring water, and subtle dried orchid. The overall impression is sweet-forward and approachable—there is no harsh bitterness or mouth-puckering astringency to navigate. After swallowing, a pronounced sweet return (huigan) floods your mouth and persists for 15+ minutes. If you enjoy semi-sweet white wines, stone fruit, honey, or melon, you will find this flavor profile immediately appealing. The tea finishes clean with no unpleasant aftertaste—just lingering honeyed sweetness and gentle warmth.

Q: I am new to Pu-erh tea. Is this a good choice for beginners?

A: This is actually one of the best possible entry points into the world of Sheng (raw) Pu-erh. Young raw Pu-erh, typically under 5 years old, can be intensely bitter, astringent, and challenging for newcomers—characteristics that require an acquired taste. At 8-9 years of age, this tea has mellowed past those harsh qualities while retaining the energy and complexity that makes Sheng Pu-erh fascinating. The individually wrapped 4g portions also remove any intimidation factor: there is no specialized knife required to break a compressed cake, no scale needed to measure portions, and no commitment to a large 357g cake before knowing if you enjoy the category. Simply unwrap one brick, steep it, and experience aged Sheng in its most approachable form. If you discover you love it—as many do—you can explore further into the world of Pu-erh with confidence.

Q: How should I store these bricks if I want to age them further?

A: These mini bricks have spent 8 years in premium dry storage, and continuing this trajectory is essential for clean, refined evolution. Store them at stable room temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Celsius) with moderate humidity around 50-65% relative humidity. Choose a dark, odor-free location away from kitchens, spices, cleaning products, or anything with strong scents—tea absorbs surrounding aromas readily. Keep the original wrappers intact, as they protect the tea while still allowing it to breathe gently. Avoid sealed plastic containers, which trap moisture and prevent necessary air exchange. Never expose the bricks to direct sunlight, temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or high humidity above 70% relative humidity. If your home runs very dry in winter, consider storing them in a cabinet with a small dish of water nearby. Each brick ages independently, making these perfect for creating your own time-lapse tasting library: drink some now, sample others in 5 years, and reserve some for 15-20 year evaluation.

Q: How does this tea compare to fully aged Sheng Pu-erh that is 20-30 years old?

A: At 8-9 years, this tea occupies the "mid-maturity" sweet spot in Sheng Pu-erh's long aging journey. Compared to truly aged Sheng (20+ years), this tea has brighter energy, more fruit-forward sweetness, and lighter body—while lacking the deep medicinal, aged wood, and profound "cha yun" (tea resonance) complexity that only decades of transformation produce. However, mid-aged Sheng offers its own unique pleasures that old tea cannot provide: vibrant honeyed character, lifted floral notes, and energetic chaqi that mellows as tea ages. Think of it like comparing a 10-year whisky to a 30-year expression—different virtues, both legitimate, and both worth experiencing. The exciting aspect of mid-aged tea is potential: this tea will continue evolving for another 20+ years. By 2035, expect deeper honey and aged wood notes. By 2045, anticipate the profound, meditative qualities of truly mature Sheng. You are not just buying tea at its current state—you are buying a ticket to its entire future journey.

Gongfu Style Brewing (Recommended Method)

Equipment: Gaiwan or small teapot (100-150ml capacity), tea pitcher (gongdaobei), tasting cups, kettle with temperature control

Water: Filtered or spring water recommended. Avoid distilled water, which produces flat results, and heavily chlorinated tap water, which introduces off-flavors.

Step 1 — Prepare Your Vessel
Preheat your gaiwan or teapot by filling it with freshly boiled water. Allow it to sit for 30 seconds, then discard the water. This step ensures stable brewing temperature throughout your session.

Step 2 — Add Tea
Unwrap one 4g mini brick and place it directly into your preheated vessel. The brick will begin to loosen slightly from the residual heat.

Step 3 — Rinse the Tea
Pour 95-100 degrees Celsius (203-212 degrees Fahrenheit) water over the brick. Allow it to sit for 5-10 seconds—just long enough to awaken the leaves and wash away any surface dust from aging. Discard this rinse water. You may perform a second quick rinse if desired.

Step 4 — First Infusion
Pour fresh hot water over the leaves and steep for 10-15 seconds. Pour all liquid into your pitcher, then into cups. This first drinking infusion reveals the tea's initial character: bright, honeyed, with gentle minerality.

Step 5 — Subsequent Infusions
Gradually increase steeping time with each round: 15 seconds, then 20, then 25, extending as needed. This tea is highly durable (耐泡, Nai Pao) and will provide 10-12 quality infusions, sometimes more. Later steeps develop beautiful honey-water sweetness.

Step 6 — Final Steeps
When flavor begins to thin, extend steep times to 1-2 minutes. The final infusions offer gentle, sweet, calming character that many drinkers treasure for evening sessions.

Western Style Brewing (Alternative Method)

Ratio: One 4g brick per 200-250ml (7-8 oz) of water

Temperature: 95-100 degrees Celsius (203-212 degrees Fahrenheit)

Method: Place the brick in a mug or teapot. Pour hot water directly over the tea. Steep for 2-3 minutes for the first infusion, adjusting to taste. The brick can be re-steeped 2-3 times, increasing time with each round.

Note: Western brewing produces fewer but larger servings compared to Gongfu method. The concentrated multiple-infusion approach of Gongfu style reveals more complexity and nuance, but Western brewing offers convenience when time or equipment is limited.

Grandpa Style Brewing (Casual Method)

Method: Drop one brick directly into a tall glass or travel mug. Add hot water and drink directly from the vessel, adding more water as you consume. This hands-off approach works excellently with mid-aged Sheng because the mellowed astringency prevents over-extraction bitterness. Ideal for office settings, travel, or relaxed everyday drinking.

Storage Recommendations

Ideal Environment:

• Temperature: 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Celsius) — stable and moderate
• Humidity: 50-65% relative humidity — dry storage continuation
• Light: Store in darkness; avoid all direct sunlight
• Odors: Keep in odor-free space away from kitchens, spices, perfumes, or cleaning supplies

Container Guidance:

• Keep original wrappers intact — they protect while allowing gentle air exchange
• Store in cardboard box, wooden container, or unglazed ceramic jar
• Avoid sealed plastic bags or airtight containers — tea needs to breathe for proper aging
• If using large storage container, group Sheng Pu-erh separately from other tea types

What to Avoid:

• Humidity above 70% relative humidity — risks mold and undesirable "wet storage" transformation
• Rapid temperature fluctuations — causes condensation that damages leaves
• Strong odors of any kind — tea readily absorbs surrounding scents
• Direct sunlight — degrades leaves and accelerates unwanted oxidation

Aging Strategy Suggestions:

• Immediate Drinking Supply: Keep 10-15 bricks accessible for regular enjoyment
• Medium-Term Aging (5-7 years): Store 20+ bricks separately; begin sampling around 2029-2031
• Long-Term Reserve (15-20 years): Set aside remaining bricks; experience peak transformation between 2035-2045

This tea has 8 years of pristine dry aging history. Maintaining this trajectory ensures clean, refined, increasingly complex evolution. Patience rewards: each year will reveal new dimensions of honeyed depth, aged wood character, and profound cha yun.