2024 Gushu Xigui Dragon Ball Raw Puerh

This 2024 Gushu Xigui Dragonball Raw Pu-erh (古树昔归龙珠) is a delightful experience from the first sip to the last, offering a beautiful balance of subtle floral notes and a refreshing vegetable freshness. You’ll notice the tea’s lighter body and smooth texture, with a soft, refreshing sensation that lingers. It’s gentle on the palate, sitting comfortably at the front of the mouth before gliding smoothly down the throat. The flavor reveals a hint of rock candy sweetness and a subtle floral aftertaste that softly remains in the throat. There’s very little dryness, making each sip effortlessly smooth and enjoyable.

The 2024 Gushu Xigui Dragonball Raw Pu-erh comes from the famed Xigui village in Yunnan’s Lincang region, a place celebrated for its exceptional Pu-erh teas. Xigui village sits at an altitude of over 1,500 meters, surrounded by pristine biodiversity and fertile soil. The ample sunlight, abundant rainfall, and a unique microclimate of Xigui are key to the quality and refinement of the ancient tea trees this tea was made from. Crafted from ancient tea trees of the Yunnan large-leaf variety, this tea owes its depth and complexity to centuries-old trees with robust leaves and concentrated nutrients. These qualities give the tea its harmonious balance of bitterness and sweetness.

The compressed “Dragonball” shape is as convenient as it is charming, preserving the tea’s freshness while enhancing its aging potential. It’s the perfect format for those who enjoy a clean and easy brewing experience without sacrificing the tea’s rich character.

To Brew:

We recommend brewing this tea Gongfu style using a 90ml gaiwan and 204°F (95°C) water.

Place the dragonball in the gaiwan and give it a quick rinse.

After rinsing, steep the tea for about 50 seconds for the first infusion, allowing the tea leaves to open up. The first infusion will have a mellower flavor with a gentle sensation.

For the following infusions, only steep for 1-2 seconds before pouring. The color and flavor should be more vibrant. Be mindful not to over-steep early on, as it may bring out bitterness and reduce the number of infusions.

After the 8th infusion, begin steeping 1-2 seconds longer for each subsequent brew. This tea can go for 17-22 infusions if brewed carefully! To extract more flavor in later infusions (after the 12th brew or so), consider filling the gaiwan only halfway, allowing the tea to release more concentrated flavors.

This 2024 Gushu Xigui Dragonball Raw Pu-erh is perfect for those who appreciate a tea that is both refined and approachable, with a tea journey that evolves beautifully in both taste and sensation through multiple infusions.