BAN BE SNOW SHAN
BAN BE ANCIENT TREE MAO CHA
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Ban Be, Tà Xùa, Sơn La, Vietnam
BAN BE SNOW SHAN is a Mao Cha produced from ancient tea trees growing in the remote high mountains of Tà Xùa, Northern Vietnam. Harvested by local minorities and personally processed by our founder during the 2023 tea expedition, this tea represents a direct connection between the tea forests, local traditions, and enthusiastic tea approach during production. The infusion is vibrant, mineral, and smokey, offering notes of mountain herbs, dried fruits, honey sweetness, and a long, cooling aftertaste. MORE
AROMA
Herbal, smoky
TASTE
Herbal, mineral
200+ years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1300+ m
HARVEST: Spring, 2023
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Ban Be, Tà Xùa, Sơn La, Vietnam
BAN BE SNOW SHAN is a Mao Cha produced from ancient tea trees growing in the remote high mountains of Tà Xùa, Northern Vietnam. Harvested by local minorities and personally processed by our founder during the 2023 tea expedition, this tea represents a direct connection between the tea forests, local traditions, and enthusiastic tea approach during production. The infusion is vibrant, mineral, and smokey, offering notes of mountain herbs, dried fruits, honey sweetness, and a long, cooling aftertaste. MORE
AROMA
Herbal, smoky
TASTE
Herbal, mineral
200+ years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1300+ m
HARVEST: Spring, 2023
Scientific studies proved that tea leaves from Pu’Er trees contain more polyphenolic organic compounds, which are the most powerful antioxidants than tea leaves from other regions. Sheng pu’er strengthens the cardiovascular system, vitalizes the nervous system, supports brain activity, reduces blood pressure, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about the BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 85-99 °C
Amount: 3-7 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 7+
WESTERN (INFUSION)
Temperature: 90 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 3+
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture and loses its properties, including taste and aroma. Store it in a dry and cool place in airtight packaging. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
TEMPERATURE: 20-25°C
HUMIDITY: 50-60%
BEST BEFORE: No expiration date!
*When properly stored, this tea gets better with time!
TEMPERATURE: 20-25°C
HUMIDITY: 50-60%
BEST BEFORE: No expiration date!
*When properly stored, this tea gets better with time!
Learn more ABOUT STORING AND AGING PU'ER TEA
ABOUT
BAN BE SNOW SHAN is a very special tea whose story is inseparable from the people, mountains, and experiences that shaped its creation. Produced from ancient tea trees growing in Bản Bẹ, Tà Xùa, Sơn La, Vietnam, at elevations exceeding 1,300 meters above sea level, this tea comes from trees estimated to be more than 200 years old. The combination of old tree material, high-mountain terroir, and traditional processing creates a tea that reflects the authentic character of Northern Vietnam's ancient tea forests.
The story of this tea began during our annual tea expedition in the spring of 2023. While exploring remote mountain villages in search of ancient tea trees, we came across a beautiful and deeply moving scene. A local family, accompanied by their three children, was harvesting fresh spring tea leaves from towering ancient tea trees. Watching several generations working together among the tea forests left a profound impression on us. Inspired by the dedication, simplicity, and authenticity of that moment, we decided to purchase the family's entire harvest directly on the mountain.
As we continued our journey, we encountered another fascinating aspect of local tea culture. Villagers were gathering around a communal wood-fired wok used for tea processing, patiently waiting their turn to roast freshly harvested leaves. Rather than transporting the material elsewhere, we chose to process our tea directly in the village using traditional local methods. With guidance and support from local tea producers, who generously shared their knowledge and experience, we began producing this batch ourselves. It became not only a tea but also a valuable lesson in craftsmanship, humility, and respect for local traditions.
After the initial processing, the tea was dried on the rooftops of village houses, allowing the mountain sun and fresh air to complete the first stage of drying. The following day, the tea was transported back to our facility, where a second controlled drying was performed to stabilize the material and preserve its character. The result was a limited batch of Mao Cha produced from ancient tea trees, harvested by local ethnic minorities and personally processed by our founder with the help of the community that had cultivated and protected these tea forests for generations.
What makes BAN BE SNOW SHAN particularly memorable is the outcome that followed. During the 2023 spring tea season, this experimental batch repeatedly won blind tastings among our colleagues and tea professionals. Despite being produced under simple mountain conditions and without the intention of becoming a flagship tea, it was consistently selected as one of the finest Mao Cha teas of the season. Sometimes tea reminds us that technical perfection alone does not define greatness. Authenticity, sincerity, and the circumstances surrounding a tea's creation often become equally important parts of the final experience.
Today, BAN BE SNOW SHAN remains one of the most personal teas in our collection. It is a tea born from human connection, mountain craftsmanship, and a willingness to trust intuition and passion. It may not be the most technically perfect tea we have ever produced, but it is unquestionably one of the truest. For us, it stands as a beautiful example of what mountain tea can be when ancient trees, local knowledge, and genuine dedication come together in a single cup.
TERROIR
BAN BE SNOW SHAN comes from Bản Bẹ village in the famous Tà Xùa mountain range of Sơn La Province, Northern Vietnam. Situated at elevations exceeding 1,300 meters above sea level, this region is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, dense cloud cover, cool temperatures, and ancient tea forests that have survived for centuries in relative isolation. The combination of high altitude, frequent mountain mist, significant day-to-night temperature variation, and mineral-rich soils creates ideal conditions for producing teas with exceptional aromatic complexity, sweetness, and structure.
The tea trees used for this production are estimated to be more than 200 years old and belong to the local Snow Shan tea population, one of Vietnam's most treasured tea resources. Unlike cultivated plantation tea, these trees grow naturally within mountain ecosystems, developing deep root systems that draw nutrients and minerals from multiple soil layers. The result is a tea characterized by remarkable depth, minerality, and persistence, qualities that are often associated with the finest ancient tree teas of Asia.
Tà Xùa has become increasingly recognized among tea professionals for producing some of the most distinctive mountain teas in Vietnam. The region's cool climate slows the development of the leaves, allowing them to accumulate higher concentrations of aromatic compounds, amino acids, and other substances that contribute to flavor complexity. This extended growth cycle often results in teas that display a unique balance between floral freshness, fruit sweetness, mountain minerality, and vibrant energy.
The traditional processing methods used by local communities further enhance the expression of the terroir. Hand-harvesting, wood-fired fixation, careful rolling, and natural drying help preserve the authentic character of the raw material while minimizing interference with the tea's natural qualities. In the case of BAN BE SNOW SHAN, the combination of ancient tea trees, high-mountain conditions, local craftsmanship, and hands-on production creates a tea that offers a genuine reflection of both place and people.
More than simply a geographical origin, the terroir of Bản Bẹ and Tà Xùa represents a living relationship between nature, local culture, and tea. Every cup reflects the mountain climate, the ancient trees, the experience of local tea-producing families, and the spirit of a region where tea remains deeply connected to everyday life. This authenticity is one of the defining qualities that makes Tà Xùa teas so highly valued by tea lovers seeking genuine mountain tea character.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves display the characteristic appearance of traditional Snow Shan Mao Cha, consisting of large, twisted leaves and abundant silvery buds harvested from ancient tea trees. Their color ranges from soft silver-green to deep olive tones, reflecting both the age of the material and the traditional processing methods used during production. The aroma of the dry leaf is vibrant and highly expressive, offering notes of wildflowers, mountain herbs, fresh hay, green fruits, honey, and wet stone minerality. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma expands significantly, revealing additional layers of orchid, alpine flowers, fresh apricot, pear skin, sugarcane, forest herbs, and subtle resinous undertones. As the leaves awaken, the fragrance develops remarkable depth while preserving the freshness and vitality characteristic of high-mountain Mao Cha.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a pale golden color with slight green reflections. The aroma of the infusion is fresh, energetic, and highly aromatic, combining notes of wildflowers, fresh mountain herbs, green apple, pear, citrus blossom, honey, and mineral nuances. The texture is smooth, lively, and mouth-filling, carrying the distinctive strength and character often found in ancient tea tree material. The taste opens with vibrant floral and fruity notes before gradually revealing layers of sugarcane sweetness, fresh apricot, green fruits, medicinal herbs, mountain minerals, and subtle woody undertones. A pleasant structure of bitterness and astringency provides depth and energy without disturbing the overall balance. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea evolves continuously, revealing new aromatic dimensions while maintaining exceptional freshness and clarity.
The aftertaste is long, cooling, and highly persistent, with returning sweetness gradually filling the mouth and throat. Floral nectar, mineral freshness, and fruit sweetness remain present long after each sip, creating a vibrant and refreshing Hui Gan. As the session progresses, the tea becomes increasingly sweet and rounded while preserving its energetic mountain character. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of orchid, wildflowers, sugarcane, fresh fruits, mountain herbs, and wet stone minerality. The overall impression is one of authenticity, vitality, and connection to the mountain environment, perfectly reflecting the honest and uncompromising character of this unique experimental batch.
BAN BE SNOW SHAN is a very special tea whose story is inseparable from the people, mountains, and experiences that shaped its creation. Produced from ancient tea trees growing in Bản Bẹ, Tà Xùa, Sơn La, Vietnam, at elevations exceeding 1,300 meters above sea level, this tea comes from trees estimated to be more than 200 years old. The combination of old tree material, high-mountain terroir, and traditional processing creates a tea that reflects the authentic character of Northern Vietnam's ancient tea forests.
The story of this tea began during our annual tea expedition in the spring of 2023. While exploring remote mountain villages in search of ancient tea trees, we came across a beautiful and deeply moving scene. A local family, accompanied by their three children, was harvesting fresh spring tea leaves from towering ancient tea trees. Watching several generations working together among the tea forests left a profound impression on us. Inspired by the dedication, simplicity, and authenticity of that moment, we decided to purchase the family's entire harvest directly on the mountain.
As we continued our journey, we encountered another fascinating aspect of local tea culture. Villagers were gathering around a communal wood-fired wok used for tea processing, patiently waiting their turn to roast freshly harvested leaves. Rather than transporting the material elsewhere, we chose to process our tea directly in the village using traditional local methods. With guidance and support from local tea producers, who generously shared their knowledge and experience, we began producing this batch ourselves. It became not only a tea but also a valuable lesson in craftsmanship, humility, and respect for local traditions.
After the initial processing, the tea was dried on the rooftops of village houses, allowing the mountain sun and fresh air to complete the first stage of drying. The following day, the tea was transported back to our facility, where a second controlled drying was performed to stabilize the material and preserve its character. The result was a limited batch of Mao Cha produced from ancient tea trees, harvested by local ethnic minorities and personally processed by our founder with the help of the community that had cultivated and protected these tea forests for generations.
What makes BAN BE SNOW SHAN particularly memorable is the outcome that followed. During the 2023 spring tea season, this experimental batch repeatedly won blind tastings among our colleagues and tea professionals. Despite being produced under simple mountain conditions and without the intention of becoming a flagship tea, it was consistently selected as one of the finest Mao Cha teas of the season. Sometimes tea reminds us that technical perfection alone does not define greatness. Authenticity, sincerity, and the circumstances surrounding a tea's creation often become equally important parts of the final experience.
Today, BAN BE SNOW SHAN remains one of the most personal teas in our collection. It is a tea born from human connection, mountain craftsmanship, and a willingness to trust intuition and passion. It may not be the most technically perfect tea we have ever produced, but it is unquestionably one of the truest. For us, it stands as a beautiful example of what mountain tea can be when ancient trees, local knowledge, and genuine dedication come together in a single cup.
TERROIR
BAN BE SNOW SHAN comes from Bản Bẹ village in the famous Tà Xùa mountain range of Sơn La Province, Northern Vietnam. Situated at elevations exceeding 1,300 meters above sea level, this region is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, dense cloud cover, cool temperatures, and ancient tea forests that have survived for centuries in relative isolation. The combination of high altitude, frequent mountain mist, significant day-to-night temperature variation, and mineral-rich soils creates ideal conditions for producing teas with exceptional aromatic complexity, sweetness, and structure.
The tea trees used for this production are estimated to be more than 200 years old and belong to the local Snow Shan tea population, one of Vietnam's most treasured tea resources. Unlike cultivated plantation tea, these trees grow naturally within mountain ecosystems, developing deep root systems that draw nutrients and minerals from multiple soil layers. The result is a tea characterized by remarkable depth, minerality, and persistence, qualities that are often associated with the finest ancient tree teas of Asia.
Tà Xùa has become increasingly recognized among tea professionals for producing some of the most distinctive mountain teas in Vietnam. The region's cool climate slows the development of the leaves, allowing them to accumulate higher concentrations of aromatic compounds, amino acids, and other substances that contribute to flavor complexity. This extended growth cycle often results in teas that display a unique balance between floral freshness, fruit sweetness, mountain minerality, and vibrant energy.
The traditional processing methods used by local communities further enhance the expression of the terroir. Hand-harvesting, wood-fired fixation, careful rolling, and natural drying help preserve the authentic character of the raw material while minimizing interference with the tea's natural qualities. In the case of BAN BE SNOW SHAN, the combination of ancient tea trees, high-mountain conditions, local craftsmanship, and hands-on production creates a tea that offers a genuine reflection of both place and people.
More than simply a geographical origin, the terroir of Bản Bẹ and Tà Xùa represents a living relationship between nature, local culture, and tea. Every cup reflects the mountain climate, the ancient trees, the experience of local tea-producing families, and the spirit of a region where tea remains deeply connected to everyday life. This authenticity is one of the defining qualities that makes Tà Xùa teas so highly valued by tea lovers seeking genuine mountain tea character.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves display the characteristic appearance of traditional Snow Shan Mao Cha, consisting of large, twisted leaves and abundant silvery buds harvested from ancient tea trees. Their color ranges from soft silver-green to deep olive tones, reflecting both the age of the material and the traditional processing methods used during production. The aroma of the dry leaf is vibrant and highly expressive, offering notes of wildflowers, mountain herbs, fresh hay, green fruits, honey, and wet stone minerality. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma expands significantly, revealing additional layers of orchid, alpine flowers, fresh apricot, pear skin, sugarcane, forest herbs, and subtle resinous undertones. As the leaves awaken, the fragrance develops remarkable depth while preserving the freshness and vitality characteristic of high-mountain Mao Cha.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a pale golden color with slight green reflections. The aroma of the infusion is fresh, energetic, and highly aromatic, combining notes of wildflowers, fresh mountain herbs, green apple, pear, citrus blossom, honey, and mineral nuances. The texture is smooth, lively, and mouth-filling, carrying the distinctive strength and character often found in ancient tea tree material. The taste opens with vibrant floral and fruity notes before gradually revealing layers of sugarcane sweetness, fresh apricot, green fruits, medicinal herbs, mountain minerals, and subtle woody undertones. A pleasant structure of bitterness and astringency provides depth and energy without disturbing the overall balance. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea evolves continuously, revealing new aromatic dimensions while maintaining exceptional freshness and clarity.
The aftertaste is long, cooling, and highly persistent, with returning sweetness gradually filling the mouth and throat. Floral nectar, mineral freshness, and fruit sweetness remain present long after each sip, creating a vibrant and refreshing Hui Gan. As the session progresses, the tea becomes increasingly sweet and rounded while preserving its energetic mountain character. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of orchid, wildflowers, sugarcane, fresh fruits, mountain herbs, and wet stone minerality. The overall impression is one of authenticity, vitality, and connection to the mountain environment, perfectly reflecting the honest and uncompromising character of this unique experimental batch.
GU SHU MAO CHA
Explore more Gu Shu Mao Cha from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.