{"product_id":"wangong-deep-forest-yiwu-sheng-puerh","title":"Wangong \"Deep Forest\" Yiwu Sheng Puerh","description":"\u003cp\u003eYiwu is already one of the most expensive puerh regions in Yunnan, but within Yiwu \u003cstrong\u003e Wangong (弯弓)\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the \u003cstrong\u003etop six most expensive sub-areas in Yiwu \u003c\/strong\u003e, prized for \u003cstrong\u003eold-tree raw puerh grown deep within its remote forests\u003c\/strong\u003e. The area was once an important tea-trading region before declining and largely disappearing from the tea world. Its remote location helped preserve many of its scattered forest tea trees, and Wangong regained widespread attention in recent decades percisely because of the area's wildness preserved for many many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best Wangong tea comes from \u003cstrong\u003edeep forest environments\u003c\/strong\u003e, often associated with 国有林 (forest areas where \u003cstrong\u003etea trees grow biodynamically among native vegetation\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than in organized plantations). Some gardens sit around \u003cstrong\u003e1,800 meters or higher\u003c\/strong\u003e, and reaching them can require mountain roads, motorcycles, and plenty of hiking. Production is naturally limited because the trees are scattered throughout the forest. This is one big factor as to why this area's puerh commands such high prices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA More Affordable Way Into Wangong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWangong is expensive, but we were able to source this tea at a relatively reasonable price because it comes from \u003cstrong\u003eQiaomu (乔木), or “tall tree” material\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than the larger \u003cstrong\u003eDashu (大树)\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eGushu (古树)\u003c\/strong\u003e classifications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQiaomu represents the\u003cstrong\u003e younger end\u003c\/strong\u003e of these tree classifications, but that doesn't mean this tea lacks Wangong character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause these trees grow deep in the wild forests of Wangong, the tea still carries a distinctly \u003cstrong\u003ewild, deep-forest character\u003c\/strong\u003e that is immediately noticeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat It Tastes Like\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea is \u003cstrong\u003esilky, soft, and refreshing\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a surprisingly energetic, bright character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll find a \u003cstrong\u003esweet, subtly herbal grape-leaf aroma\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebright freshness\u003c\/strong\u003e reminiscent of \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese sencha\u003c\/strong\u003e, subtle \u003cstrong\u003ecitrus zest\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eclean salinity \u003c\/strong\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cstrong\u003e minerality\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by a \u003cstrong\u003esweet, lingering, floral finish\u003c\/strong\u003e reminiscent of \u003cstrong\u003ejasmine and gardenia\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aftertaste is where this tea really stands out. Each sip leaves behind a \u003cstrong\u003esansho pepper-like cooling sensation\u003c\/strong\u003e that seems to \u003cstrong\u003eexpand through the mouth and chest\u003c\/strong\u003e. It's \u003cstrong\u003esweet and floral\u003c\/strong\u003e while the feeling is \u003cstrong\u003elight and airy, but remarkably wild.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe texture is gentle and silky, while the overall experience feels \u003cstrong\u003ewild, refreshing, and revitalizing\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGongfu Brewing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5g tea \/ 90–100ml gaiwan or teapot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e204°F \/ 96°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick rinse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1st infusion: 7 seconds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFollowing infusions: 2 seconds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGradually increase steeping time after the 7th or 8th infusion, up to 20-25 steeps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIf you've been curious about high-end Wangong but don't want to pay the prices commanded by the oldest tree material, this is a fascinating way to experience the \u003cstrong\u003edeep-forest character of Wangong\u003c\/strong\u003e at a much more approachable price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes: Grape Leaf, Citrus, Jasmine, Gardenia, Sansho\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tea and Whisk","offers":[{"title":"1-oz Sample","offer_id":50527288393971,"sku":null,"price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 oz","offer_id":50527288459507,"sku":null,"price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 oz","offer_id":50527288525043,"sku":null,"price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":50527288590579,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 oz","offer_id":50527288656115,"sku":null,"price":132.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 oz","offer_id":50527288721651,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/9486\/0322\/files\/124A1E87-C86B-4F21-BB79-EF62FFB20973.jpg?v=1787615095","url":"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/wangong-deep-forest-yiwu-sheng-puerh","provider":"Tea and Whisk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}