2023 Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake

The 2023 Ancient Tree Premium Ripe (Shou) Pu-erh tea cake comes from Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan, China—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army, and as the first site in the world dedicated to tea as cultural heritage.

Situated in Huimin Township, Lancang County, Pu’er City, Jingmai Mountain rises to an average altitude of 1,500 meters

Situated in Huimin Township, Lancang County, Pu’er City, Jingmai Mountain rises to an average altitude of 1,500 meters and includes 14 ancient villages. Known as the “Ten-Thousand-Acre Arbor Ancient Tea Garden,” it is home to the world’s largest contiguous ancient tea forest, covering approximately 4,620 acres (about 1,876 hectares) and housing over 1.2 million tea trees. Teas from this region are celebrated for their elegant, long-lasting floral and fruity aromas.

Why is Jingmai Mountain Pu-erh so aromatic?

Unique mixed-growth ancient tea varieties

The forests combine large-leaf trees with smaller-leaf variants that have been naturally interplanted over centuries. These smaller-leaf trees contain higher levels of terpene-based aromatic compounds, giving the tea a delicate, floral-fruity character rather than the heavier, earthy notes typical of large-leaf varieties.

Rich aromatic precursors

Jingmai Mountain teas naturally accumulate higher levels of compounds such as nerolidol, which contributes to sweet, floral (orange blossom, magnolia) and fruity (apple-like) aromas. The combination of soil, microclimate, and tree genetics creates a tea with vivid, long-lasting fragrance.

Premium ancient tree leaves and craftsmanship

This tea is made from carefully selected leaves from 200–300-year-old tea trees. While high-quality raw materials are essential, the piling fermentation process for Ripe Pu-erh (Shou) requires skill and a touch of unpredictability, influenced by microbial activity and subtle environmental variations.

Production details

The 2023 batch of Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake (Shou) combines exceptional raw material with meticulous craftsmanship. Only 1,299 cakes were produced, each bearing a unique serial number.

Appearance

The dry cake is dark, glossy, and plump, with intact leaves. It emits a clean woody sweetness and subtle floral notes, free of off-odors or impurities — a sign of meticulous craftsmanship.

Brewing notes

Upon infusion, it releases layers of aged, woody, and herbal aromas. The liquor is bright red, smooth, and full-bodied, with a lingering sweetness and no off-flavors. The aroma unfolds beautifully on the palate, while the initial gentle bitterness quickly transforms into a soft, sweet finish, highlighting the unique character of ancient tree leaves.

Brewing performance

Thanks to the rich nutrients of the ancient trees, this tea remains flavorful across multiple infusions.

• In Gongfu-style brewing, it can last over 15 steeps, with later infusions remaining sweet and flavorful. 
• Even brewed in a mug, it produces a smooth, rich, and aromatic liquor. 

Seasonal craftsmanship and natural variation

Each leaf reflects a poetic cycle:

• summer growth
• winter storage
• spring picking
• autumn processing

Seasonal weather and microbial communities are impossible to replicate, meaning even the same raw materials and master craftsman may produce subtly different flavors from batch to batch.

Final note

The 2023 Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake (Shou) is the result of these unique natural and human factors, creating a truly exceptional brew, highly recommended for seasoned Ripe Pu-erh enthusiasts.

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

Try Sample & View Guide