SIMAO GONG TING
SHU (RIPE) PU'ER
★ ORGANIC
Simao, Pu'Er, Yunnan, China
Simao Gong Ting is a ripe Pu'Er tea produced from fine-grade leaf material in the historic Simao region of Yunnan. Carefully fermented and naturally matured for years, this tea reflects the combination of refined Gong Ting grade material, traditional post-fermentation craftsmanship, and gradual aging that enhances depth and smoothness. The infusion is dense, velvety, and deeply comforting, offering woody and creamy nuances, dark chocolate and dried fruit notes, mineral sweetness, and a long, smooth aftertaste with exceptional balance and mature character. MORE
AROMA
Dates, caramel, bread
TASTE
Woody, chocolate,
ALTITUDE: 1800 m
HARVEST: 2015
The fermentation process significantly alters the chemical composition of the tea, creating a mellow infusion with reduced bitterness and astringency, a smooth texture, and earthy, woody, and sweet aromatic notes. It is believed that regular consumption of Shu Pu'Er may support digestive health, contribute to healthy cholesterol metabolism, promote the balance of beneficial intestinal microflora, and assist the body's natural antioxidant defenses. Traditionally, Shu Pu'Er has also been appreciated for its warming and grounding nature, its ability to aid digestion after meals, reduce feelings of heaviness and fatigue, and create a calm, stable, and balanced state of physical and mental well-being.
Learn more about the BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
SEED-GROWN TEA PLANT
This tea refers to a Qunzi Zhong, a "seed-grown tea plant". Unlike cloned or asexually propagated cultivars, which are created by cuttings or grafting from a single "mother" plant, Qunzi Zhong tea trees are grown from seeds. This results in a genetically diverse population of plants. Each seed-grown tea tree is unique, with slightly different characteristics. This genetic variety helps improve the resilience of the tea garden, making it more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Seed-grown trees usually develop stronger and deeper roots than cloned plants, allowing them to draw nutrients and minerals from deeper soil layers, often giving the tea a more complex and rich flavor profile. Qunzi Zhong represents the traditional way of tea cultivation. Because of the genetic diversity, teas made from Qunzi Zhong plants tend to offer more layered and nuanced flavors, reflecting a richer expression of the local terroir (soil, climate, and environment).
PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Pesticide-free gardening refers to a cultivation method in which no synthetic chemical pesticides are used at any stage of plant growth. Instead, this approach relies on biodiversity, ecological balance, and cultural practices to manage pests and diseases. Unlike conventional farming, which often depends on chemical intervention to control infestations, pesticide-free gardening emphasizes prevention through healthy soil, companion planting, and natural predators. This method fosters a more resilient and adaptive garden ecosystem. Without chemical inputs, beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and native bees thrive, contributing to pollination and pest control. Untouched by harsh agents, the soil remains alive with microbial activity, supporting deeper root systems and more vigorous plant development. Over time, this results in produce with purer, more expressive flavors, reflecting the health of the environment and the grower's intention.
Learn more about Pesticide-Free Gardening
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 100 °C
Amount: 3-5 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 7+
WESTERN (INFUSION)
Temperature: 100 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 3
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
*Suitable for long-term aging. Under proper storage conditions, the tea may gradually develop increased depth, smoothness, and complexity.
Learn more ABOUT TEA STORAGE
2015 Simao Gong Ting is a ripe Pu'Er tea produced from fine one-bud material growing in the Simao area of Pu'Er, Yunnan, China, at an altitude of approximately 1800 meters above sea level. Carefully fermented and professionally stored, this tea reflects the combination of refined Gong Ting grade material, traditional Shu Pu'Er craftsmanship, and gradual maturation that enhances smoothness, depth, and aromatic integration. Organic gardening practices and high-mountain environmental conditions contribute to the tea’s clean structure, balanced sweetness, and elegant mature character.
The term Gong Ting traditionally refers to the highest and finest leaf grades used in Pu'Er production, consisting primarily of young buds carefully selected for their softness, aromatic clarity, and refined texture. Compared to larger leaf Shu Pu'Er productions, Gong Ting material is especially appreciated for producing infusions with greater smoothness, creaminess, sweetness, and aromatic elegance while maintaining depth and structural concentration. The fermentation process gradually transforms the fresh tea material into a rich and comforting profile characterized by woody, creamy, mineral, and chocolate-like nuances highly valued among experienced Shu Pu'Er lovers.
The high-mountain environment of Simao plays an important role in shaping the final character of this tea. Cooler temperatures and slower vegetation cycles support the accumulation of concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural development within the buds while preserving clarity and softness. Professional storage conditions further integrated the tea over time, allowing the woody, sweet, creamy, and mineral characteristics to become increasingly smooth, rounded, and harmonious while preserving the refined elegance characteristic of high-grade Gong Ting Shu Pu'Er.
TERROIR
The Simao area of Pu'Er, Yunnan, is one of the most historically important tea-producing regions in China and remains deeply connected to the development of both Sheng and Shu Pu'Er tea culture. Tea gardens in this region grow under warm subtropical mountain conditions shaped by abundant rainfall, humid air, rich biodiversity, and significant day-to-night temperature variation. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s smooth texture, mineral sweetness, aromatic depth, and balanced structural character.
This particular tea material grows at an altitude of approximately 1800 meters above sea level, where cooler mountain temperatures and slower vegetation cycles support refined and concentrated bud development. The mountain soils are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. These conditions contribute to the soft texture, creamy body, aromatic clarity, and elegant sweetness characteristic of high-grade Gong Ting material.
Organic gardening practices play an important role in preserving the ecological balance of the tea environment. Tea plants growing without intensive chemical intervention interact naturally with surrounding mountain ecosystems, helping preserve biodiversity, soil vitality, and the clean energetic character of the tea material. Combined with high-mountain environmental conditions, this contributes to the tea’s refined structure, smooth mouthfeel, and balanced aromatic expression.
The relatively slow development of one-bud material in elevated mountain environments is especially important for the final profile of this tea. Cooler temperatures allow the buds to accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural components while preserving softness and clarity. Combined with careful fermentation and professional storage, the terroir of Simao produces Gong Ting Shu Pu'Er with exceptional smoothness, depth, elegance, and long-lasting mature character.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves consist primarily of fine golden and dark brown buds characteristic of high-grade Gong Ting Shu Pu'Er material. Their appearance reflects careful selection, refined fermentation, and years of professional storage while preserving the delicate texture and integrity of the buds. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, warm, and comforting, combining notes of aged wood, dark chocolate, creamy sweetness, warm minerals, dried fruits, and soft earthy nuances. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes smoother and increasingly expressive, revealing additional layers of cocoa, roasted nuts, sweet grains, dark honey, humid forest tones, and subtle medicinal undertones. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes highly integrated, balancing creamy softness, woody maturity, mineral depth, and refined sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a deep ruby-brown tone reflecting careful fermentation and gradual maturation. The aroma of the infusion is smooth, layered, and highly persistent, combining warm wood, creamy chocolate-like notes, dark dried fruits, sweet grains, warm minerals, soft earthiness, and subtle herbal complexity. The texture is dense, velvety, and exceptionally smooth, coating the palate with remarkable softness while maintaining depth and structural clarity. The taste is balanced and highly refined, with minimal bitterness or roughness, gradually developing into gentle mineral sweetness and long-lasting comforting warmth throughout the mouth and throat. Layers of dark chocolate, aged wood, creamy sweetness, dried fruits, roasted nuts, sweet grains, minerals, and soft earthy nuances continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining remarkable harmony between maturity, elegance, smoothness, and depth.
The aftertaste is long, smooth, and deeply comforting, with sweet mineral and creamy sensations remaining in the throat and mouth long after drinking. As the tea continues to open, the structure becomes increasingly rounded and integrated while preserving the elegant softness characteristic of refined Gong Ting material. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of dark chocolate, aged wood, sweet grains, dried fruits, dark honey, creamy cocoa, and subtle medicinal undertones.
