ABOUT
2022 Da Xue Shan Gu Shu Sheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material harvested and processed in 2022 from tea trees estimated to be between 300-500 years old, growing at elevations exceeding 2000 meters in the Da Xue Shan area, Yong De, Lincang, Yunnan, China. Extreme high altitude, mature tree material, and traditional Sheng Cha production techniques create a tea with pronounced structure, energetic mountain character, and exceptional aging potential. The production follows a classic processing approach focused on preserving the purity and integrity of the leaf material through careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and traditional stone pressing.
Tea trees of this age develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into mineral-rich mountain soils, contributing to the concentration, density, and layered complexity associated with high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er. At elevations above 2000 meters, vegetation cycles slow significantly due to cooler temperatures and strong climatic variation, allowing the leaves to accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced polyphenol structure while preserving freshness and clarity. This combination of mature tree material and extreme mountain ecology is especially appreciated among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers seeking teas with depth, minerality, energetic character, and long-term transformation potential.
As a relatively young Sheng Pu'Er, the 2022 harvest still expresses much of its original mountain freshness, structural intensity, and energetic strength. At the same time, the first stages of natural maturation have already begun integrating sharper vegetal and bitter elements into a more balanced and harmonious profile. Properly stored Sheng Pu'Er from old tree material cultivated at this altitude is especially valued for its ability to gradually develop greater softness, aromatic depth, and internal complexity over many years while maintaining clarity and structural precision.
TERROIR
The Da Xue Shan area of Yong De, Lincang, is one of the highest and most ecologically preserved tea-growing regions in Yunnan, respected for producing Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional mountain character and structural depth. Tea trees in this region grow at elevations exceeding 2000 meters above sea level, where cool temperatures, dense mist, abundant rainfall, and strong day-to-night temperature variation create ideal conditions for slow and balanced leaf development. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s pronounced minerality, layered bitterness, refined aromatic complexity, and long-lasting returning sweetness.
The mountain soils of the region are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. Old tea trees growing in these environments develop extensive root systems that penetrate deeply into the mountain terrain and interact with multiple soil layers accumulated over centuries of ecological development. This deep mineral interaction contributes to the dense texture, energetic structure, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er from Da Xue Shan.
The ecological environment surrounding the tea gardens remains highly biodiverse and relatively untouched by intensive agriculture. Dense forest vegetation, humid mountain air, and frequent cloud cover naturally protect the leaves from excessive sunlight exposure while supporting slow and stable vegetation cycles. At the same time, periods of clear mountain sunlight contribute to concentration and structural intensity within the leaf material, creating balance between freshness, bitterness, sweetness, minerality, and depth in the finished infusion.
Traditional harvesting and processing methods remain closely connected to the rhythm of the local mountain ecosystem. Tea material is selectively hand-harvested and processed close to the cultivation area to preserve freshness and maintain the integrity of the leaves before fixation. Combined with mature old tree material and extreme high-altitude terroir, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional aging potential, pronounced energetic character, and remarkable aromatic precision highly valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, thick, and highly expressive, displaying deep olive and dark green tones with silver-covered buds characteristic of old tree Sheng Pu'Er material from high-mountain environments. Their appearance reflects careful hand-harvesting and traditional sun-drying while preserving the integrity and natural texture of the leaves. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, concentrated, and refined, combining notes of mountain herbs, warm minerals, dry wood, wildflowers, light resin, and subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes warmer and significantly more layered, revealing additional notes of forest wood, stone minerality, tree bark, floral honey, light spice, medicinal herbs, and delicate camphor-like freshness. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes increasingly integrated and complex, balancing woody depth, herbal intensity, floral freshness, and pronounced mountain minerality.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-yellow tone gradually deepening through later infusions. The aroma of the infusion is structured and highly persistent, combining mineral depth, dried herbs, warm wood, floral nuances, resinous notes, light medicinal tones, and subtle fruity sweetness. The texture is dense, coating, and highly energetic, reflecting both the concentration of mature old tree material and the structural intensity associated with extreme high-altitude Sheng Pu'Er. Initial bitterness is pronounced and direct yet exceptionally clean, quickly transforming into strong returning sweetness and active salivation throughout the palate and throat. Layers of minerals, forest wood, dried herbs, floral honey, light spice, resinous warmth, and cooling camphor-like sensations continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining remarkable balance between strength, freshness, clarity, and depth.
The aftertaste is exceptionally long, cooling, and deeply persistent, with sweetness gradually building and remaining in the throat and mouth long after drinking. As the tea continues to open, the structure becomes increasingly integrated and rounded while preserving its energetic mountain character and pronounced mineral depth. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of dried fruits, sweet wood, floral honey, medicinal herbs, resin, and subtle mineral undertones.