2008 "Ban Zhang Golden Tips" Ripe (Shu) Pu-erh Tea Cake

"Golden Tips" refer to the tender buds of tea leaves, typically adorned with golden hairs. These hairs are rich in beneficial compounds such as polyphenols, catechins, and caffeine, which contribute to the tea's high quality and distinctive aroma. The presence of golden tips is a hallmark of premium tea.

Unlike raw Pu-erh tea, ripe Pu-erh undergoes a more intricate production process, including an additional fermentation step with carefully controlled heat and moisture. This fermentation builds upon the foundation of raw tea, yielding a distinctive, mellow flavor and a smooth, velvety texture.

Our "Ban Zhang Golden Tips" Pu-erh tea cake is crafted from the tender buds of large-leaf tea trees in Ban Zhang village, handpicked in the spring of 2008, just before the Qingming Festival. Sourced from one of the most prestigious tea regions, this tea cake is crafted during the optimal harvest season using only the finest buds, yielding a classic, high-quality ripe Pu-erh tea.

This rare 380-gram tea cake, unlike conventional weights, has been carefully aged for 17 years. The tea liquor is clean and rich, offering a smooth, full-bodied flavor complemented by delicate aged aromas and a bold, long-lasting sweetness that lingers on the palate.

Please note that the packaging of aged tea cakes may naturally develop creases or signs of wear over time. This is entirely normal and does not affect the tea's quality or flavor. Instead, these marks serve as a testament to the tea's storied journey through time. As Pu-erh tea ages, it deepens in complexity, character, showcasing its truly unique charm.