Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea Cake| Rare Vine-Shaped Pu’er Tea from Yunnan
What is Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea?
Perhaps many Pu-erh Tea enthusiasts in Yunnan have heard of—or even tasted—various kinds of Pu’er Tea: some labeled by major production regions, specific mountain peaks, or villages, and others identified by brand, series, or batch number.
However, the name Teng Tiao (Vine-Shaped) Pu-erh Tea has nothing to do with these common naming conventions. In China, it is often mistakenly thought to belong to a specific region or brand series; internationally, this name is almost unknown.
Pu’er Tea Varieties in Yunnan
Pu’er Tea comes in many forms, often identified by production region, mountain, village, brand, series, or batch number. Teng Tiao, or Rattan Pu-erh as some collectors call it, stands apart from these common naming conventions due to its unique vine-like tea tree shape.
My First Encounter with Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea
I am Chen Wenjin, a passionate tea enthusiast and tea master. Over the past seventeen years, I have visited Yunnan twenty-six times to study and select Pu’er Tea.
The first time I heard of “Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea” was in 2010. The name itself puzzled me—it was neither a regional designation, nor a famous brand, nor a tea tree variety. Surprisingly, the tea farmers did not discuss the usual details like region or tree age; instead, they kept emphasizing the special word “Teng Tiao.”
Curious, I began to learn about this type of Pu’er Tea bit by bit through farmers’ introductions and later research.
Studying and Selecting Pu’er Tea in Yunnan
Like all raw Pu’er Tea, Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea (also called Rattan Pu-erh by some collectors) is harvested from Yunnan large-leaf tea trees. It is not a unique variety. This tea originates from a Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) pruning technique, which shapes the trees into a vine-like form. In recent years, farmers have started naming the tea after this distinctive shape. Due to its scarcity, it remains relatively unknown.
The Vine-Shaped Tea Trees Behind Rattan Pu-erh
These tea trees often grow scattered in the wilderness or in remote ancient tea gardens, making harvesting difficult and inefficient. When farmers’ own tea trees could no longer meet market demand, they rediscovered these wild or neglected trees. However, after long periods of natural growth, many trees have thick leaves but few tender buds. Although vigorous, these trees are in a precarious state.
Ancient Pruning Techniques
Farmers follow an ancient pruning and nurturing method, known as “retaining tops and nurturing markers.” Excess branches and leaves are removed, leaving only the top one or two leaves of new shoots. Side branches are cut off, focusing nutrients on the remaining tender leaves.
Over years of “harvest-and-retain” pruning, the trees gradually take on a graceful, vine-like shape, reminiscent of the form associated with Rattan Pu-erh. This technique not only sustains the trees’ growth and revitalizes them but also improves tea quality while significantly reducing yield. Simply put, a long branch could produce many leaves, yet only a few premium tender leaves are preserved.
We can thus confirm that Teng Tiao Pu-erh Tea is truly organic in the purest sense, cultivated entirely through careful pruning.
Harvesting and Rediscovering Old Tea Trees
I became fascinated with this tea. For the following years, I reserved a portion for annual spring purchases for my team at Chinese Tea Group. Unfortunately, due to slight inconsistencies in taste, limited supply, or high prices, we often missed out.
In 2019, at an ancient tea garden in Shuangjiang Mengku, Yunnan, 1,600 meters above sea level, we discovered a batch of old tea trees’ spring-harvested Teng Tiao raw Pu-erh Tea. That August, we pressed the leaves into tea cakes and adopted a dual approach: aging and collecting the tea to observe its annual flavor development, while sharing limited batches with tea enthusiasts.
Pressing into Tea Cakes
After several years of aging, the dry tea’s color has gradually evolved, yet the plump, glossy leaves and dense white tips remain clearly visible. This not only reflects the high-grade selection and robust buds but also indicates proper storage during aging.
Brewing the 2019 Teng Tiao Old Tree Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake
Brewing this 2019 Teng Tiao Old Tree Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake allows one to fully appreciate the qualities of a premium Pu’er Tea. The liquor is golden and clear, silky on the palate, and sweet and refreshing.
From the first infusion that gently awakens the leaves, to the second when the compressed tea begins releasing its compounds, and by the fourth infusion when the leaves are fully unfurled, the tea develops from a delicate initial taste to a rich, full-bodied profile.
Flavor Profile and Evolution
Infusions five through eight represent the peak experience: the aroma rises, the flavors are fully expressed, and the tea’s depth and complexity are at their height. Even by the tenth infusion, the tea remains strong and vibrant.
After fifteen infusions, the taste gradually softens into a light, sweet finish, still satisfying those who enjoy a gentle tail. The long-lasting infusion quality typical of spring tea is vividly demonstrated.
For this vintage Raw tea cake, the aroma is at a subtle stage between fresh and aged tea—retaining the freshness and delicate buds of new leaves while gradually developing the depth and richness of aged Pu’er Tea, with layered complexity.
Based on my experience and expertise, I anticipate that over the next five years, its flavor will gradually evolve into a “sweet and smooth” style—a style different from the earthy tones common in most ten-year-old Pu’er Tea. While occasionally appearing in other Pu’er Tea cakes, this style is relatively rare.
Choosing the Right Pu’er Tea for Your Taste
Preferences vary: some tea lovers enjoy sweet, others prefer bitter. I cannot judge whether this flavor evolution is “good” or “bad.” For newcomers to Pu’er Tea, this also means they need not overthink the distinctions between earthy flavors and off-flavors caused by improper storage. Indeed, some teas on the market suffer from inadequate storage or inexperienced handling.
Why Rely on Experienced Tea Vendors
Choosing a traditional tea vendor with both passion and expertise remains the most reliable way to purchase Pu’er Tea or Rattan Pu-erh. You are welcome to explore our Pu-erh Tea collection—we offer far more than just one tea.
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