2018 Ancient Tree Jingmai Raw Puerh

This 2018 Ancient Tree Jingmai Raw Puerh tea is harvested from a 300-year-old ancient tree, known as “古树茶” (gushu cha), a mark of superior quality in the Puerh tea world.

Puerh tea from this region ranks among the top three in Yunnan for its exceptional aftertaste. For years, Leo sought a delicious tea from this area, but he always came up short—until his most recent trip, when he finally discovered what he had been missing all these years.

Older tea trees, with their deep roots reaching into mineral-rich soil, produce leaves with more complex flavors and a fuller body. This tea showcases a perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness, and earthiness, creating a harmony that is distinct to tea from these ancient trees. The depth and maturity of these roots allow the leaves to absorb a wide variety of nutrients, giving this tea a rich, nuanced character that younger trees simply cannot replicate.

Jingmai’s older trees, in particular, impart floral and fruity notes with a mellow, lingering aftertaste—a hallmark of this region’s unique environment. These Jingmai forests, known for their natural, diverse ecosystems, allow the older trees to coexist with other plant species, enhancing the tea’s richness and contributing to its floral and smoky complexity.

While the age of the tree contributes to its quality, it’s not the sole factor in producing exceptional Puerh tea. Regardless of the age, if the quality of the tree itself is not good, then the tea will not be good. The health and environment of the tree are equally critical. This is why Leo was very excited to discover this premium tea a quality tea from a tree that is not only 300-years-old, but is also a testament to the balance between age, tree health, and the biodiversity of the Jingmai tea forests. 

This 2018 Jingmai Sheng Puerh offers a juicy profile with baked ume/plum notes and a slight smokiness to balance its inherent sweetness. The tea has a warm sensation in the back of the mouth, followed by a cooling effect that opens the throat. The aftertaste lingers with complex jasmine-like floral notes and sweet baked fruit/roasted chestnut notes, making it a tea that evolves in both flavor and sensation with each sip.

For brewing, this tea can adapt to different techniques:

If brewed at a lower temperature (195°F) with 5 grams of tea leaves, it reveals a sweet floral aroma with juicy tropical fruit flavors and a smooth and gentle floral finish. Though lacking some complexity and the throat sensation puerh-drinkers seek, it remains pleasantly sweet. To achieve this profile, use a 90ml Gaiwan to brew 5 grams of tea leaves with 195°F (90°C) water. First, give it a quick rinse and steep for about 10 seconds for the first infusion. For following infusions, only steep for 3-5 seconds before pouring. After the 7th infusion, start brewing a second or two longer than the previous infusion to continue to enjoy the tea at the same intensity. You should be able to enjoy up to 12-15 times

When using 7 grams at a higher temperature, the tea brings out its full floral and smoky complexity, retaining its juicy, baked fruit notes with balanced earthiness as well as the sought-after cooling sensation in the throat and back of the mouth. For this profile, brew similarly to the first method using a 90ml Gaiwan but with 7 grams of tea leaves with 204°F (96°C) water instead. Give it a quick rinse and steep for about 5-7 seconds for the first infusion. For following infusions, only steep for 3-4 seconds before pouring. After the 7th infusion, start brewing a second or two longer than the previous infusion to continue to enjoy the tea at the same intensity. You should be able to enjoy up to 20 times.

Due to its high quality, this Puerh requires minimal rinsing and is low-maintenance in brewing. Even with just one rinse, you can reach the true complex flavor of the tea without becoming overly smoky, producing a delicious brew with ease. While this tea does not turn overly bitter when over-steeped, it may become dry, and its signature aftertaste and effects diminish. For the best experience, brew quickly and avoid over-steeping to preserve the tea’s exquisite character. 

For anyone looking for a sweet and rewarding raw puerh this 2018 Jingmai Sheng Raw Puerh may be the next tea to try!