RIPE (SHOU) PUERH
"The Tea of Happiness and Peace"
We sell premium teas in 2oz packets unless otherwise specified - about 9-10 Gongfu tea sessions
2020 NAN JIAN TULIN "8502" TUO CHA Ripe Puerh - 100 gms each
This birds nest shaped ripe tuocha is a special proprietary #801 recipe from the famous Nan Jian TuLin Tea Factory made with tippy WuLiang mountain materials. Dark, syrupy and sweet tea soup, thick and creamy! This is the 2020 version of their old 801 tuocha - same recipe.
2019 HENG TONG HAO IMPERIAL GONG TING Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This is a delicious puerh made from top Gong Ting (smallest grade leaf) material, ready to drink now thanks to master-level fermentation. Thick, rich and deep with notes of unsweetened cacao and dried raisin. Made from 2016 materials, pressed in 2019. Don't pass this up!
2018 MENG SONG SHAN GONG TING Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
MMMM Pure Meng Song shou from Menghai! Thick and smooth tea soup with bittersweet dark chocolate and fruity notes, finishing with a licorice sweet aftertaste. This is Gong Ting or Palace Grade tea made from the smallest tips. Humongous Cha Qi - or tea energy!!
2017 XIAGUAN SNOW MOUNTAIN Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This is a nice everyday drinker from Xiaguan - one of the top Puerh producers. She is not super complex in structure but rich in her own way with a nice aromatic, thick, smooth, sweet tea soup, Notes of caramel, nuts, milk chocolate, vanilla and dried fruit are quite satisfying. Very clean! Makes a nice thermos brew. Leaf materials originate from Da Xue Shan, Lincang, Yunnan.
2017 YS Golden Needle Mini Cake Ripe Puerh - 100 grams/<3.5 oz
This special puerh is made entirely of tippy, Menghai Golden Needle grade leaf fermented and pressed into a mini bing cha (tea cake). The aroma is maple sweet, and brews up a beautiful, clear burgundy tea soup with a thick, syrupy texturel. It is very sweet and smooth with notes of cherry wood and hint of coffee. Would make a lovely gift - to oneself or another! This will age and develop very nicely.
2016 LANGHE "8451 RECIPE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Langhe Tea Factory of Menghai, Yunnan is known as a premium producer of ripe puerh. Their lighter fermentation style creates more complex teas - allowing the integrity of the leaf to evolve into greater dimensions of flavor and character over time. The 8451 recipe is made with average grade 5 leaf and is laced with golden buds that balance the woodsiness of the smaller grade leaves. The tea soup is rich, full- bodied and dark amber. displaying notes of wood, cacao nib, walnuts, mushroom and hint of sweet milk - but with a dry finish in the first couple steeps. A lovely sweetness is revealed in the third steeping and beyond.
2016 MENGHAI TAE "HOU DE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
2016 was a good year for Menghai TF teas, so I bought into some. This lovely cake is a fine example of why they are considered to be masters of blending and fermentation. Rich, thick and smooth, ready to drink now. Hou De means "Beyond the Self" and certainly there is an ethereal feeling to be enjoyed while sipping this tea.
2016 MENGHAI TAE 'SONG OF THE LOTUS' Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
What a beauty! Another delicious, expertly blended shou puerh from one of the best tea factories in Yunnan- Menghai Tae. Made with select smaller grade leaves and gold buds that brews up Big! So rich, velvety and sweet from the first steep to the last. Deep layers of chocolate, malt, and nut (hazelnut) notes with a hint of honey on the finish impress the palate. Presumably named after the great Chinese opera. Get it while you can; only a few cakes left.
2016 AI LAO SHAN CANG ZHEN Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This wonderful ripe puerh has everything I am looking for - notes of bittersweet chocolate , caramel, nuts, fruity coffee bean.... Made of Spring leaf and buds from Ai Lao Shan in Simao, Yunnan, grown at an altitude of around 6000 feet by tea master Mr Xie. The soup is very rich, thick and smooth - very enjoyable to drink, giving that "comforting feeling" shou puerh enthusiasts love.
2016 MENGHAI TAE "GOLDEN FRUIT" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
The wrapper is so beautiful, I had to check out this tea. Menghai Tae is one of the inventors of the wo dui (wet pile fermentation) process for ripe puerh and they know their business! Even though it is young, the soup has a wonderful smooth and thick mouthfeel, sweet and silky, with notes of chocolate, dried fruit (prune and persimmon) and a hint of ripe peach on the finish. It is ready to enjoy now but has a nice structure that will develop over time.
2015 MENGHAI TAE "ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Elephant Mountain is a rare Menghai Da Yi production that was last produced in 2005 with much acclaim and is a cake to collect. However, it is not too early to drink this special tea and savor its complexity. Menghai Tea factory makes so great teas and this is no exception!
2014 XINGHAI TF "ATTAIN EMINENCE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
The actual name of this tea is "Little By Little, Attain Eminence" and it is well on its way to becoming a fabulous shou puerh in its young age. I love Xinghai teas and this is no exception. The Old Tree leaf materials originate from Bulang and Nannuo mountains and the tea cake is laden with many golden buds. An intriguing peaty, scotch barrel fragrance invites one to dive into the smooth, thick and creamy tea soup and contemplate the complex layers of taste and aroma - smoked caramel, camphor, and 'old wooden cabinet' come to mind. A penetrating chocolatey base note expands into a refreshing "hui gan" or throat sensation on the finish. The tea energy is warm, soothing and very comfortable and evokes memories of sipping tea in an old wooden tea house centuries ago.
2015 BAO HE XIANG "WIND" RIPE PUERH - 2 oz
Bao He Xiang makes some great premium puerh teas and this is no exception. Layers of cocoa, hazelnuts, caramel, sweet cream notes with a thick texture that starts off a bit chalky but melts into a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel. Another pro-level Menghai shou. !
2014 YIWU HUANG PIAN Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Huang Pian puerh is sort of coming into vogue these days with both ripe and raw puerh lovers. it was usually considered to be a "Farmer's Tea", being the least desired, largest grade leaf on the market, often made into teas the farmers kept for themselves. These large 'yellow' leaves grow up higher on the branch and are sometimes added to puerh recipes to add a little sweetness. But even this humble leaf can be made into a great tea if masterfully fermented, as proven by this brick. This tea kicks down the door with a tons of cha qi and an impressive richness, with some mouthwatering jujube and maple sweetness found in some Yiwu teas.
This brick is made from Old Tree (Lao Shu) Xishuangbanna material.
Oh, and context is everything - "Huang Pian" also means another thing all together in Mandarin - if asking for it, know who you are talking to; don't mix them up!
2014 DA XUE SHAN BIG SNOW MOUNTAIN ANCIENT TREE Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This is a lovely 'Single Estate', stone pressed ripe puerh tea from high altitude trees over 100 years old in Big Snow Mountain area of Mengku, Lincang Prefecture in Yunnan. As soon as I opened the cake wrapper, my first impression was how super clean it was in appearance and smell. The dry leaf is comprised of 5-7 grade leaf with golden buds and presented with fresh, earthy, and almost meaty aroma. The soup is burgundy in color, full bodied, thick, wet and juicy with notes of caramel, date, dried apricot, chocolate, cream and a hint of wood with virtually no wo dui or fermentation detected. Being a single estate tea, what it may lack in complexity it makes up in its impeccable craftsmanship, drinkability and pure sincerity of character. A great entry-level puerh that can well be enjoyed by a seasoned drinker for its classic, sweet and mellow flavor, and effulgent cha qi or tea energy. look for it's raw counterpart on our "Sheng Puerh" page.
2014 TIE GUO LI "YING YANG DAO" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This delicious Menghai cake is made of 60 year old wild tree, Spring leaf. Stout and burly with chocolate and coffee notes and a nice, thick tea soup makes this ripe puerh perfect for the mornings. If you are thinking of giving up the bean, give this a try.
2013 PU YUAN HAO GOLDEN BUDS Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This lovely premium tea cake is made from Lao Shu Old Tree materials and is laden with sweet golden buds. Smooth and light with classic Menghai aroma and an almost sticky mouthfeel. Brews up dark and thick but never too strong. An easy shu pu for everyday drinking.
2012 SHUNDA LAO MAN E "ANCIENT TREE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Lao Man E is next door to the very famous Lao Banzhang village and produces some very fine teas in its own right. This is an unblended, single origin, Spring production from high quality, Gu Shu materials that are usually reserved for raw cakes. Seductively, silky smooth, big rounded texture and rich, chocolaty notes.
2011 Nan Jian TuLin Jin Cha Ripe Puerh 250gms
A full half-pound of thick, sweet ripe puerh in the traditional Jin Cha (mushroom shape) favored by Tibetans. Nan Jian's proprietary blending andfermentation style conjures up nice spice and light wood notes, and a dark burgundy soup.
2011 LANGHE HIGH MOUNTAIN LAO SHU Ripe Puerh- 2 oz
Another very unique and delicious ripe puerh from Langhe Tea Factor made from Old Tree (Lao Shu large leaf) material. I have never come across a shu pu with such fragrance! Top notes of sandalwood and sweet rice permeate the aroma and flavor in the first couple of steepings balanced by a deep chocolate - cherrywood base, and almost ginseng-like sweetness. Its smooth, dark amber soup with sooth your soul and intrigue the palate.
2011 MENGHAI TAE '7572 RECIPE 101' Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
THE classic ripe puerh recipe from one of the finest tea factories of Yunnan. The 7572 is made from average grade 7 leaves which lends a sweet, smooth and creamy character to the tea. The soup is thick and rich with notes of chocolate, wood and light earthiness. A very soothing tea with relaxing tea enegry. This is the frst production (101) of the year 2011.
2010 HAIWAN "ROU XIANG" CINNAMON TWIG AROMA Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This is a special production from a tea master at Haiwan Tea Factory made from single origin, old arbor tree Assamica leaves. It is said to have a natural, light "cinnamon twig" aroma as a result of masterful fermentation and top notch materials.
2010 MENGHAI TAE 'PREMIUM 0532 RECIPE' Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
A super premium production from Menghai, Tea Factory, not to be missed! Rich, smooth, complex and vibrant with an unique 'juiciness' that is very intriguing - a tea to comtemplate indeed. The cake is laden with golden tips and has a very rich woodsy/fruity aroma ,and brews up ultra clean, thick, carnelian-colored tea soup. Layered notes of fruit wood, roasted sugar cane, caramel, dried apricot and dates and cream unfold with a pronounced sweetness throughout each steeping. An exciting tea to drink.
2009 NAN QIAO "BOUNDLESS TASTE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This unusual shou puerh is Called "Wu Yin Cha Pin", meaning Boundless -or Vast- Tea Taste. I would also suggest that it has a timeless quality in its (debatable) similarity to an aged sheng puerh due to the tea's medium fermentation - allowing some of the raw leaf aspects to age and develop complexity over time. The tea soup brews up a clear burgundy soup, thick in the mouth, sweet with notes of 'old wooden cabinet', dried fruit, ginseng, and ripe berry that lingers on the palate. It has a little bit of that medicinal taste I love in puerh tea but it is exceptionally clean. The layers of flavor unfold over many steeps making it a lovely choice for a long gongfu tea session.
2009 Xinghai "Dragon" Mini Ripe Cake - 100 grams/3.5 oz
This is a top notch production from one of Yunnan's famous puerh tea factories. Made from Palace Grade (Gong Ting), Grade 1 leaves and golden tips, It brews up a beautiful clear burgundy tea soup, dark and rich with a thick mouthfeel. Notes of mushrooms,, dried prune, chocolate, pepper, and a hint of vanilla make this a solid choice for an elevated tea session. Good for many infusions.
2009 MENGHAI GONG TING PALACE GRADE Loose Ripe Puerh- 2 oz
This is a clean semi-aged Gong Ting made from the smallest, tippiest grade of ripe puerh. The tea soup is thick, creamy and potent with notes of wood and chocolate and a lovely sweetness. Great to drink now or aged in the cupboard - will only get better. Made with materials from Mengsong and Bada Shan, Menghai and stored in Kunming.
2009 'DARK CHOCOLATE BAR' Ripe Puerh - 100 grams
Alas, our 2006 Chocolate Bar run has come to an end however we brought in a new one that fits the bill! Made with gongting (Palace Grade) leaf material, it brews up very clean, rich. thick and sweet with a light woodsy note. This is a perfect shu pu to thermos brew to enjoy throughout the day.
2009 CNNP PURPLE LABEL 7342 HK STORAGE Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
2008 ZHANG WU MING MENGSONG "ANCIENT TREE" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
A stellar, ultra premium, Gu Shu (Ancient Tree), Spring flush cake from Mengsong in Menghai, Xishuanbanna. Silky, thick and creamy mouthfeel with notes of dried fruit and cherrywood. We call it "The Cadillac".
2008 CNNP RED LABEL GONG TING Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This semi-aged Gong Ting or Palace Grade cake from China Tea, one of the OG's of the ripe puerh world, is outstanding! The dry leaf aroma of nuts and leather gives way to a distinct mung bean aroma on the rinse. First steep - wow! - complexity right out of the gate - a whole mouthful of flavors: fruit-wood and ginseng sweetness dives into wine-y, cacao and rice paper notes. The second steeping gives up a silky creamy soup with wood, cacao, Chinese date and almond notes that continue in variation into further pours. I have rarely experienced a hui gan in a ripe puerh but this one has that returning minty freshness in the throat after swallowing - love it! So rich and sweet with that comforting taste and relaxing tea energy ripe puerh enthusiasts long for.
2008 HONG XUAN TF WILD GU SHU Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This gorgeous cake is the cream of the crop and one of the finer ripe puerh I have enjoyed so far. Made from premium Menghai leaves plucked from 200+ year wild trees growing at an altitude of near 10,000 feet and expertly fermented by a tea master with over 40 years experience. It brews up a crystal clear dark amber soup, thick and smooth like silk that melts into your tongue. Rich and full with notes of cacao, fresh milk, sarsaparilla, and a touch of camphor - creating that "comfortable" taste. What a find!
2008 NAN JIAN TULIN "903" WULIANG SHAN Organic Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Nan Jian TuLin Tea Factory is known for its proprietary recipes that are balanced and easy to drink. All the materials in this certified organic cake are from Wu Liang mountain. Medium bodied, silky, earthy and sweet! All that and a nice easy cha qi make for lovely everyday tea.
2007 MENGHAI TAE LAO CHA TOU Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Luxuriously rich and smooth with hints of sweet cream, caramel and nuts. This is a brick made of pressed lao cha tou - the ultra fermented loose tea clusters formed at the bottom of the pile during ripe puerh production. This 2007 Lao Cha Tou brick is first pressing (701) made from Spring materials and is the second year Menghai Tea Factory made it. Nice and easy tea energy and good for many steepings.
2006 HAI LANG HAO "GOLD HAI LANG" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
2006 FU HAI 7576 "602" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
2006 PENG CHEN "MENGHAI BEAUTY" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
2005 YANG PIN HAO "PEACOCK" Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
This superfine, medium-aged, ripe puerh from Menghai's Yang Pin Hao TF is notable for its balanced, silky smooth textured soup, with hints of maple, camphor and oak. As elegant as a peacock.
2019 BULANG SHAN LAO CHA TOU Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Lao Cha Tou, "Old Tea Heads" are compressed ripe puerh nuggets found at the bottom of the fermentation pile when the tea is sorted. Ultra creamy and smooth due to high heat fermentation, cha tou are enjoyed by ripe puerh lovers for their mouthfeel, flavor and longevity when brewing gongfu style. This cha tou is made from Bulang Mountain materials and has an easy Menghai flavor and very powerful yet subtle energy . Ready to drink now despite the young age, and great for thermos brews.
2005 MENGHAI AGED LAO CHA TOU Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Lao Cha Tou - or "old tea heads" - are the little, ultra-fermented knots of ripe puerh found at the bottom of the fermentation pile. Having not being tossed and turned with the rest of the loose tea in the 45 days or so of puerh fermentation, they were found nestled at the bottom where the heat cooked them a little longer. The result: more compression, extra creaminess and thicker mouthfeel, and extended brewing capacity.
These semi-aged, Menghai-sweet cha tou brew up a clear burgundy soup, with light camphor and malt notes. Smooth and mouth watering, so easy to drink!
2004 JINUO SHAN BIG TREE "FARMERS BRICK" Ripe Puerh - 2oz
2012 YONG DE "OLD ARBOR" Loose Ripe Puerh - 2 oz
Medium body, clear burgundy soup, soft earthy, coffee, and camphor notes with full mouth feel. Grade 5 leaves yield a nice balance of richness and sweetness. A great everyday drinker!
2013 LINCANG FU TUO Ripe Puerh Cube - 5 cubes
This is a very good ripe puerh in a novel shape made from sundried Lincang materials. It brew up a RICH and textured tea soup with earthy, chocolate notes and a hint of dried plum that can easily go 10 rounds in the gaiwan. I have also popped one in the thermos with boiling water which brough out the prune as well as a honey-fried licorice (zhi gan cao) note that was very enjoyable. Reminds me of coffee with its stout character - would be a good alternative. I find an entire cube is a lot, you could brew 2/3 of one and still have a rich experience. 5 cubes is over 2 ounces.
2011 PREMIUM MENGKU Ripe Puerh Mini Tuocha - 2 oz
Perfect for thermos brewing or tea by the pot (1 or 2 buttons), this grade 3 whole leaf 5 gram tea button delivers a delicious thick, sweet brew. Unlike many other mini puerh tuocha made with a lot of tea fannings (dust), this is made with leaf grade and is worth drinking.