2022 Ban Pen Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Produced in Banpen Old Village, surrounded by famous tea villages, this 2022 Ban Pen Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake is a quintessential high-altitude, old-tree, historically rich, and excellent-value single-micro-region Pu-erh tea.

Banpen Old Village and Its Geographic Setting

Located at the junction of the famed Bulang Mountain and Hekai Mountain in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, Banpen Old Village is a tea village long overshadowed by its world-class neighboring Pu-erh tea regions.

To its west, it borders the villages of Lao Ban Zhang and Xin Ban Zhang, while to the east lie Lahu settlements such as Manmai and Mannong on Hekai Ancient Tea Mountain.

Ancient Tea Heritage and Bulang Tea Culture

Situated at an average altitude of 1,700 meters (≈ 5,577 feet), Banpen Old Village is home to the Bulang people, among Yunnan’s earliest tea-growing ethnic groups.

Tea trees hold a sacred place in their history, culture, and daily life. Generations have inherited abundant ancient tea tree resources and traditional tea-making skills.

The village has over 2,000 mu (≈ 133 hectares / 330 acres) of ancient tea gardens, with trees averaging 300–500 years old, and some exceeding 500 years—truly a “living fossil” for studying the tea culture of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities.

Banpen Tea and Lao Ban Zhang: Similar Origins, Different Character

Although administratively under the Hekai Mountain management area (Hekai Village Committee), Banpen Old Village is only about 3 kilometers (≈ 1.86 miles) in a straight line from Lao Ban Zhang Village in Bulangshan Township.

Consequently, Banpen tea shares nearly the same altitude and climate as Lao Ban Zhang tea, yet the two regions have developed very different reputations and flavor profiles.

The differences stem from subtle variations in terroir and tea tree varieties.

Soil Composition and Terroir Differences

• Lao Ban Zhang’s soil is mainly yellow and yellow-brown earth derived from shale weathering, rich in organic matter and trace elements such as manganese, zinc, and iron. This distinctive soil is believed to contribute to Lao Ban Zhang’s signature bold character—strong bitterness, intense tea Qi, and a fast, sweet aftertaste.
• Banpen’s soil is similarly fertile but contains more gravel and sandy material, providing improved drainage. This structure encourages tea tree roots to grow deeper in search of water and nutrients, which may support the accumulation of particular flavor compounds. As a result, compared with Lao Ban Zhang, Banpen tea generally presents a lighter bitterness and a more pronounced sweetness.

Tree Age and Tea Varieties

• While Lao Ban Zhang contains both old and newer tea trees, its core gardens are dominated by ancient trees aged between 200 and 600 years, mainly belonging to the “Lao Ban Zhang” variety, a unique ecological type within the Menghai large-leaf tea family.
• Banpen’s ancient tea trees also average 300–500 years old, though the varieties are more diverse. Alongside Menghai large-leaf tea trees, other local Yunnan large-leaf varieties can also be found throughout the village.

Spring 2022 Ancient Tree Harvest

This Ancient Tree Compressed Tea Cake is made from fresh spring 2022 leaves of Banpen’s ancient tea trees, crafted into raw (Sheng) Pu-erh tea.

Dry Leaves and Tasting Notes

Through our tea house’s unretouched product photos, you can observe the details clearly.

Dry Leaves

• Thick and tightly twisted leaf strips
• Robust appearance typical of ancient large-leaf tea trees

A close sniff reveals faint floral honey notes accompanied by a distinctive mountain aroma.

Tea Liquor and Taste

• Clear and bright tea liquor
• Pronounced floral fragrance after brewing
• Bold structure reminiscent of Lao Ban Zhang
• Sweetness and delicacy characteristic of Hekai teas
• Smooth and refined mouthfeel
• Lingering finish with a satisfying aftertaste

Upon brewing, the floral notes become more pronounced, and the tea liquor appears clear and bright. The taste combines the bold strength associated with Lao Ban Zhang and the sweetness and delicacy often found in Hekai teas. The tea liquor has a smooth, refined mouthfeel with a lingering finish, leaving a strong sense of satisfaction.

Wet Leaves/Leaf Base

After brewing, the leaves are thick, soft, and supple, displaying clear vein structures. The tender spring shoots show a unique vitality only found in freshly plucked ancient tea trees, reflecting the freshness and quality of the 2022 Ban Pen harvest.

Aging Potential – Ready to Drink Now, Worthy to Store

Pu-erh tea is traditionally known for its ability to evolve and improve with age.

While this 2022 Ban Pen Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake is still considered young, several years of natural resting have already softened its initial astringency and bitterness.

At this stage, the tea liquor is smooth and rounded, with a pleasant natural sweetness, making it ideal for drinking now.

At the same time, its deep ancient-tree character and rich internal structure provide strong aging potential. With proper storage, it will continue to develop greater complexity and depth over time—offering immediate enjoyment today and rewarding evolution in the future.

Not sure if this tea suits your taste? Try a sample and follow our brewing guide.

Try Sample & View Guide