12.4 oz / 352 g (115 cups)
Pressed in the style of antiquity and designed for travel over long distances on horseback, this ripe and aged handmade, wild-grown, pu'er-style tea cake comes from ancient trees in Cao Bồ, Hà Giang, Vietnam.
The base tea for this batch was produced in spring 2021 and fermented in the autumn. The fermentation is on the lighter side, so the tea retains some liveliness (bitterness, astringency) which makes for quite an interesting pu'er. It brews quickly into a deep red or brown liquor, depending on how strong you brew it. There are notes of cocoa, forest woods and stone fruits with a nice minerality.
This tea was stored in natural conditions in Hà Giang (hot and humid) after production, so you may see a few small white spots and patches of mold. This is not harmful — it's all part of the charm of a fermented, aged pu'er.
This is an excellent candidate for aging and should keep improving over the years.
Need a tea knife for breaking off pieces? We have them here!
Brewing instructions
Amount: Break off 2 – 3 grams of tea per 8 oz. of water (a teaspoon or two-finger pinch)
Temperature: 212 ̊ (A full, rolling boil)
Steep time: 30 seconds – 3 minutes
Pu'er tip: Rinse the leaves before steeping to "awaken" them.
1. Place the dry leaves in a cup
2. Pour over the hot water and wait 3 - 5 seconds
3. Discard water using a strainer
4. Then steep leaves normally
About Our Vietnamese Tea
Vietnamese tea trees are some of the oldest in the world. While tea farming in Vietnam has existed for hundreds of years, 20th century conflict badly harmed the industry and prevented it from reaching Western consumers. Only in the last generation has the political climate in Vietnam improved.
Our Vietnamese tea comes from wild trees growing in the pristine, ancient forests of the far northern provinces of Hà Giang and Yên Bái. The tea is grown on mountain sides at an altitude between 3,000 and 5,500 feet. Tended by families on small farms, each tea selection exudes superior character and is ethically and sustainably produced. Our wild Vietnamese teas are organically produced and comply with international standards.
