2014 Bing Dao Old Tree Sheng Pu-erh – 200g x 5

Estate Name: Bing Dao Village
Farming Methods: Naturally grown from seed to tree in forest environment without human interference. Hand Plucking, one bud two – three leaves. (Wild tea tree plucking is not as precise as that of a regular garden tea. It is much more difficult work harvesting the tea leaves and the farmers are inclined to obtain more leaves in each single plucking)
Production Methods: Plucking – Slight withering – Frying – Rolling -Sunshine drying – Compressing
Other Notes:
Bing Dao is a village in Xiban Shan, Mengku in Lincang region of Yunnan. This ancient tree pu-erh is one of the most famous sheng pu erh teas in Yunnan. Bing Dao village is quite small with a tea growing area of only 2.51 square km and a population of 1064.

It is recorded that in 1485 the leader of Mianning (now called Lincang) asked his men to purchase 200 tea seeds from Yiwu, and plant them in Bing Dao Village. There are around 20 of these original old trees still alive today, making them well over 500 years old. Over the many centuries of growing, the tea has formed its own unique cultivar – Mengku Big Leaf Tea.

The elevation of Bing Dao Village is around 1,300m (4,265ft), which is not so high compared to other Yunnan mountains, but here the climate is unique in that the sun’s rays are very strong, and the air is dry, especially in the Spring harvesting season. Under these conditions, the tea plants grow slowly and the water content in tea leaf is low. These conditions are very suitable from making fine quality teas with rich quality content.

Bing Dao Pu erh tea has strong Cha Qi – the taste is strong and deep with a sweet aftertaste. Experienced tea drinkers can sometimes feel a kind of rock sugar (冰糖) sweet flavor from this tea. Bing Dao Pu erh can be re-steeped multipole times – sometimes as many as 20 times in a gaiwan.

Bing Dao Pu erh has become very popular in recent years – starting around 2005 and by 2012 there were many tea investors already investing in this tea. The price of Bing Dao Pu-erh tea made from the ancient tea trees there is very high now. There have also been many tea trees planted in later years and the price differs by age. All of the tea leaf harvested from this area is exceptionally good and if the tea making process is well done, the quality is always very good in spite of age of the trees

Dry Leaf
Color: Yellowish green color
Shape/size: Tightly curled leaf, in compressed cake

Brewed Tea
Color: Orange
Aroma: Refreshing fruity & woody flavor and aroma
Body Taste: Strong Cha Qi with a strong and deep taste and a sweet aftertaste.

Suggested Brewing (adjust according to personal preferences)
Water Temperature: 90-95°C/194-203°F
Amount: 3g per 150ml teacup
Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes
# of Infusions: 4-6 infusions (up to 20 in a gaiwan)