2014 Yunnan Old Tree Raw Pu'er Tea Cake

This tea cake is made from raw Pu’er tea leaves harvested in 2014 from the Menghai region in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The leaves come from old tea trees growing deep in the mountains. These tea trees thrive in a remote wilderness area, untouched by construction or development, preserving their pristine ecological state and growing naturally.

Before introducing this tea, let's first understand the raw materials used in Pu’er tea. All Pu’er teas are made from Yunnan's large-leaf variety of tea trees, but there are two main types of raw materials used in final Pu’er tea: “single-origin” and “blended.”

“Single-origin” refers to tea leaves sourced from the same village or mountain, highlighting the specific altitude, climate, and terroir, offering a unique local flavor. In contrast, “blended tea” is made by mixing tea leaves from different villages or even wider tea-growing regions. Through expert blending techniques, the strengths of various leaves are combined to create a more complex flavor profile.

Menghai is an important tea-producing area in Xishuangbanna, encompassing famous tea regions such as Banzhang, Yiwu, and Mengsong. This 2014 Yunnan Old Tree Raw Pu’er Tea Cake is crafted from tea leaves of 50–100-year-old tea trees from different villages in the Menghai region. Using this blending technique, despite the challenges of inconvenient transportation, difficult harvesting, and low yields, the limited and diverse wild tea leaves are fully utilized. This not only preserves the regional characteristics of the Menghai tea region but also integrates the unique flavors of naturally grown tea trees.

The entire tea cake is made using traditional Pu’er tea craftsmanship, ensuring that the tea retains its natural state and aging potential. From the young, unfermented tea to a fully aged Pu’er tea, this tea has matured over 11 years, shedding its initial bitterness and developing a more complex aroma. The intense floral and fruity notes gradually give way to the more stable, mellow aged fragrance.

The tea liquor is full-bodied, smooth on the palate, delicate and gentle, with over fifteen stable infusions, and the final brews becoming gradually sweeter.

These sensory experiences come from the tea’s growth in an untouched wilderness, where it has perfectly preserved its original components and flavors. We recommend this 2014 Old Tree Raw Pu’er Tea as an ideal introduction to aged Pu’er cakes, or as a perfect companion for daily luxury tea drinking.

Tea Details

• Year: 2014
• Type: Raw (Sheng) Pu'er Tea
• Shape: Tea Cake
• Weight: 357g
• Origin: Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
• Elevation: Around 1,500 meters
• Tree Type: Gu Shu (Ancient Tea Trees)
• Varietal (Cultivar): Da Ye Zhong (Large-Leaf Variety)

Gongfu Tea Brewing Guide

(Traditional Method)

Tips: Tea masters recommend steeping times based on each tea's unique flavor, starting the timer after pouring the water.

Common Brewing Guide

(Easy Everyday Preparation)

Tips: You can adjust the steeping time or leaf-to-water ratio to suit your taste—shorten the infusion for a lighter brew or extend it for a stronger one.