{"product_id":"2026-mahei-gushu-shou-puerh","title":"2026 Mahei Gushu Shou Puerh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMahei Village (麻黑村)\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of \u003cstrong\u003ethe most famous villages in Yiwu (易武)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a prized puerh-producing region in \u003cstrong\u003eXishuangbanna, Yunnan\u003c\/strong\u003e. For centuries, Mahei has been considered one of the benchmark villages of Yiwu, known for producing teas that are \u003cstrong\u003esweet, elegant, soft, and beautifully balanced\u003c\/strong\u003e. Chinese tea producers often describe Mahei with phrases like \u003cem\u003e\"high fragrance, soft liquor\"\u003c\/em\u003e (香扬水柔) and \u003cem\u003e\"gentle with hidden strength\"\u003c\/em\u003e (柔中带刚)—a perfect reflection of the region's refined character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Mahei is best known for its raw puerh, this tea is made as a \u003cstrong\u003egushu (古树) shou puerh\u003c\/strong\u003e, using leaves from \u003cstrong\u003eancient tea trees\u003c\/strong\u003e growing naturally among the forests of Yiwu. Unlike plantation tea bushes, these old trees have \u003cstrong\u003edeep root systems that reach into mineral-rich soils,\u003c\/strong\u003e producing teas with a \u003cstrong\u003ethicker body\u003c\/strong\u003e, more \u003cstrong\u003elayered aromatics\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003estronger returning sweetness\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent aging potential\u003c\/strong\u003e. Here, the ancient tea trees grow scattered throughout the forest rather than in neat rows, surrounded by native vegetation in a rich mountain ecosystem. This close relationship between the forest and the tea is one of the reasons Yiwu teas are celebrated for their smoothness and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many ripe puerhs that focus on deep earthiness and heavy fermentation, Mahei Shou offers a much more elegant expression. The fermentation is \u003cstrong\u003eclean, allowing the natural sweetness of the leaf to shine through\u003c\/strong\u003e while maintaining the gentle personality Yiwu is famous for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aroma \u003cstrong\u003ebuttery\u003c\/strong\u003e and immediately reminds us of \u003cstrong\u003efresh egg tart pastry\u003c\/strong\u003e, with notes of \u003cstrong\u003esweet cream \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e vanilla bean\u003c\/strong\u003e that carry into the cup. The tea is \u003cstrong\u003eincredibly creamy\u003c\/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003esilky, oily texture\u003c\/strong\u003e. But \u003cstrong\u003emedium-bodied \u003c\/strong\u003echaracter and soft oak-barrel-like woody notes of the tea \u003cstrong\u003ebalances out the rich texture and aroma \u003c\/strong\u003eto create a sip that feels rich without ever becoming heavy or overwhelming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's a unique airy softness (almost like a high mountain oolong) that fills the mouth, almost like your palate is wrapped in a cloud, while a long-lasting sweetness lingers. Toward the finish, a surprising \u003cstrong\u003ehoneydew melon-like sweetness\u003c\/strong\u003e emerges, blending beautifully with the vanilla cream aroma in a way that reminds us of \u003cstrong\u003emelon cream soda\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderful choice if you're looking for a \u003cstrong\u003every unique shou puerh\u003c\/strong\u003e that's \u003cstrong\u003erefined\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than earthy—one that highlights \u003cstrong\u003esweetness, texture, and elegance\u003c\/strong\u003e while still delivering all the \u003cstrong\u003ecomforting richness\u003c\/strong\u003e that makes ripe puerh so enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGongfu Brewing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeaware:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90ml gaiwan or small teapot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 204°F (96°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive the leaves a quick rinse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1st infusion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–8 seconds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFollowing infusions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-5 seconds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the 4th infusion, increase each steep by 1–2 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is remarkably forgiving and won't become bitter or overly dry even if accidentally over-steeped. Expect \u003cstrong\u003e16–17 flavorful infusions\u003c\/strong\u003e. If the later brews begin to feel lighter, try filling the gaiwan only halfway and extending the steep time slightly to draw out even more sweetness and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: Yiwu, Yunnan, China\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes: Vanilla Sweet Cream, Oak Barrel, Honeydew Melon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tea and Whisk","offers":[{"title":"1-oz Sample","offer_id":49837426344179,"sku":null,"price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 oz","offer_id":49837426376947,"sku":null,"price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 oz","offer_id":49837426409715,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":49837426442483,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 oz","offer_id":49837426475251,"sku":null,"price":177.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 oz","offer_id":49837426508019,"sku":null,"price":234.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/9486\/0322\/files\/IMG-8523.jpg?v=1783385422","url":"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/2026-mahei-gushu-shou-puerh","provider":"Tea and Whisk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}