2024 Man Song Spring Gushu Raw Puerh

Some teas impress you with power.

Man Song impresses you with elegance.

Hidden within Yiwu (易武) in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, Man Song (曼松) is one of the smallest and reknown tea-producing areas in China. Production is incredibly limited, but its reputation has been anything but small. For centuries, Man Song has been associated with tribute tea (贡茶) prepared for the Qing imperial court, earning a reputation as one of the most refined expressions of raw puerh.

Unlike many famous puerhs that announce themselves with bold bitterness or overwhelming strength, Man Song has become famous for something quite different. Chinese tea producers often describe it as "high fragrance, soft liquor" (香扬水柔) and "sweet, soft, and refined" (甜、柔、细). It's a tea that feels graceful and elegant while still carrying the unmistakable presence of great raw puerh.

This tea is made from gushu (古树) material, meaning the leaves come from ancient tea trees—generally over 100 years old. These trees grow naturally throughout the subtropical forests of Man Song at elevations of around 1,300–1,500 meters, surrounded by native vegetation, rich mountain soils, frequent mist, and abundant biodiversity. Rather than growing in plantation rows, the trees remain deeply connected to the surrounding forest, which gives Man Song its remarkable sweetness, silky texture, and layered complexity.

The aroma opens with beautiful tropical fruit and clean mineral notes. The first sip is difficult to describe with just tasting notes—the word that keeps coming to mind is simply soft. It has the unmistakable presence and energy of raw puerh, but instead of feeling aggressive, it feels more like a gentle embrace.

You'll discover aromatic notes of soft tropical fruit, rock sugar-like sweetness, balanced by delicate herbal notes and a clean minerality. There's a soft yuzu-like citrus note alongside an elegant wildflower-like floral sweetness in the aftertaste, while a gentle cooling sensation follows each sip.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this tea is how the sweetness continues to build. Rather than peaking in the first sip, each cup leaves behind a sweeter, longer-lasting aftertaste than the one before. The returning sweetness (hui gan) gradually grows throughout the session, making it a tea you'll find yourself sitting quietly with, simply appreciating how it continues to evolve.

If you've always wanted to experience why Man Song is considered one of Yiwu's most celebrated origins, this tea beautifully showcases what makes it so special: elegance, sweetness, refinement, and remarkable balance.

Gongfu Brewing

• Tea: 5g

• Teaware: 90–100ml gaiwan or small teapot

• Water: 204°F (96°C)

Give the leaves a quick rinse before brewing.

• 1st infusion: 9–10 seconds

• Following infusions: 1–2 seconds each

• After the 10th infusion, gradually add a few seconds to each brew.

If the later infusions begin to soften, try filling the gaiwan only halfway and extending the steep time slightly. With careful brewing, this tea will comfortably produce up to 20 infusions, revealing new layers of sweetness, aroma, and complexity from beginning to end.