2023 "Lao Ban Zhang" Pu-erh Tea Cake

$2,899.00

~~$2,899.00~~ $2,899.00

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This tea originates from the "iconic production area" of Pu-erh tea — Lao Ban Zhang Village in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. It was harvested and pressed in the spring of 2023.

"2023 Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh Tea Cake" displayed at Chinese Tea Group

Pu-erh teas named after their villages are all regarded as famous teas from renowned mountains, and Lao Ban Zhang "老班章" is considered the king among these famous mountains. Within the village, there is an ancient tea garden with a long history and the oldest tea trees, known as the "Tea King Land," a nationally recognized ecological tea garden. The tea tree numbered "111" comes precisely from this land.

This ancient tea tree, which is over 400 years old, produces approximately 3–3.5 kilograms of dry tea leaves each spring. The harvesting rights are publicly determined through bidding. In 2023, Chinese Tea Group successfully won the bid and pressed the leaves into 200-gram tea cakes (unconventional 357 grams), totaling 14 cakes. The tea cakes are packaged with a recognized design to ensure product traceability.

A rare origin, centuries-old tea trees, and single-tree (harvested from the same tea tree) raw material have long been regarded as treasures. In 2023, the region experienced drought conditions, resulting in tea leaves growing slowly due to a lack of rainfall. This resulted in a more concentrated aroma, richer flavor, and immense value for collection and aging. These unique climatic conditions have made it one of the most distinctive years for tea production in recent times.

Our tea masters have often been asked why there is such a significant price difference for teas from the same region. Here, with over 30 years of experience, we share some insights:

Different harvesting seasons in the same region.
Different tea tree varieties in the same region.
Different ages of tea trees in the same region.
Tea leaves closer to the core production area usually command higher prices.
Mixed picking (mixing materials from different trees, ages, and seasons) versus selective picking (single-harvest) can result in significant price differences.
Most Pu-erh teas are blends, with experienced tea masters combining raw materials from different regions, varieties, and ages to fine-tune the taste and flavor. For low-yield, renowned regions like "Lao Ban Zhang," the content in blends determines the final product price. Cheaper Lao Ban Zhang usually contains less in the blend.

Our 2023 Lao Ban Zhang raw Pu-erh tea is entirely made from single-tree ancient trees of the large-leaf variety in Lao Ban Zhang Village, harvested in spring, without any blending of materials from other seasons, tree varieties, or regions.

This tea has a bold and intense character upon entry, accompanied by a lasting aroma and a rapid returning sweetness. These unique characteristics are specific to this region of tea production. They are the reason it is known as the "King" of teas. Pu-erh tea in the 1-to-3-year range belongs to the period of being a fresh tea—a stage where its aroma is at its most intense, its tea energy at its strongest, and its tea character at its heaviest. As the years progress, it transforms step by step, becoming smoother and developing aged aromas.

It not only inherits the pure lineage of its renowned production area, allowing you to experience the unique charm of pure, unblended Lao Ban Zhang, but it is also an irreplaceable masterpiece, representing the pinnacle of Pu-erh tea. As it ages with time, it will allow you to savor the magical and ever-changing flavors of a single tea leaf.