2025 Laobanzhang Sheng Pu'er, Ancient Trees Stone-pressed cake

Harvested in Spring 2025 from ancient tea trees rooted deep in the soils of Laobanzhang, this sheng pu’er offers a true expression of one of Pu’er’s most storied landscapes.

Its fragrance rises softly: peach blossom, mountain flowers, and the earthy warmth of sunlit leaves. Sweetness takes centre stage in the first infusion, clear and bright, before giving way to a gentle rise of bitterness. The result is a layered experience, balancing bitterness, sweetness, forest notes and minerality in a way that is unmistakably Laobanzhang.

The liquor is full-bodied yet graceful, carrying the strength of the land. Its cháqì (茶气) builds slowly but surely, grounding and energising, flowing warmly through the body as the session unfolds.

This year, we chose to offer two expressions of Laobanzhang, both from ancient trees, both true to their origin. Think of them as fruits from the same orchard: this tea, from 100 year-old ancient trees, is like a fine, well-grown fruit, sweet, lively, and satisfying. The Selected Ancient Tree version, on the other hand, is like the ripest fruit from the sunniest branch of 300 year-old ancient trees, more concentrated, richer in juice, and unforgettable in flavour. That is the difference brought by careful, tree-by-tree selection.

Origin: Laobanzhang, Xishuangbanna, Southwest Yunnan
Flush: Spring 2025
Pressed on: June 20th 2025
Format: 100 g (3.5 oz) Stone-pressed cake
Storage: the leaves can be stored in their original package or in ceramic vases. Avoid heat, light, and moisture.