BULANG SHAN GAN EN SHU CHA
BULANG SHAN GAN EN
SHU (RIPE) PU'ER★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Laobanzhang, Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
2017 Bulang Shan Lao Shu Gan En Shu Cha is a ripe Pu'Er tea produced from old tea tree material from the famous Bulang Shan region of Menghai, Yunnan, a terroir known for its powerful structure and deep mineral character. Carefully fermented and naturally matured for years, this tea reflects the combination of ancient tea material, traditional Shu Pu'Er craftsmanship, and the strong energetic depth historically associated with Bulang mountain tea. The infusion is dense, velvety, and richly layered, offering woody and creamy nuances, dark chocolate and dried fruit notes, pronounced mineral warmth, and a long, powerful aftertaste with mature old tree character and exceptional structural depth. MORE
357 g cake
AROMA
Wood, bakery
TASTE
Woody, nutty, cacao
150+ years old trees
Natural Storage
PRODUCTION: 2017
SHU PU'ER is a post-fermented tea produced through a controlled microbial fermentation process that transforms sun-dried tea leaves into a rich, smooth, and deeply complex beverage. As a result of this unique production method, Shu Pu'Er develops a distinctive composition of polyphenols, amino acids, minerals, beneficial microbial metabolites, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to both its characteristic flavor and traditionally valued properties.
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.
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
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture. This type of tea oxidizes when it comes into contact with oxygen 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.
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.
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
ABOUT
2017 Bulang Shan Lao Shu Gan En Shu Cha is a ripe Pu'Er tea produced from early spring material harvested from tea trees estimated to be more than 150 years old in the Bulang Shan region of Menghai, Yunnan. Carefully created as a master’s blend and professionally matured under natural storage conditions, this tea reflects the combination of ancient tea material, traditional Shu Pu'Er craftsmanship, and the powerful structural character historically associated with Bulang mountain tea. Years of gradual maturation softened and integrated the tea while preserving its dense texture, mineral warmth, energetic depth, and rich mature complexity.
The use of early spring material from ancient tea trees plays a defining role in shaping the identity of this tea. After winter dormancy, the first developing leaves accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural components while preserving freshness, clarity, and energetic concentration. Combined with old tree material from Bulang Shan, this creates a Shu Pu'Er with exceptional density, persistent sweetness, strong mineral structure, and long-lasting aftertaste while maintaining remarkable smoothness and balance.
The tea was carefully assembled as a master’s blend, a production philosophy traditionally used to balance strength, texture, sweetness, aromatic complexity, and aging potential within one tea. Rather than relying on a single batch of material, blending allows experienced producers to create a more harmonious and complete expression of the Bulang mountain character. Professional natural storage then gradually refined the tea over time, allowing the woody, creamy, resinous, chocolate-like, and mineral characteristics to become increasingly smooth, integrated, and mature while preserving the vibrant energetic foundation of the original old tree material.
Gan En - Grateful Tea Factory - has a reputation for quality production and guarantees the authenticity of raw materials, working with tea leaves from different parts of the Bulang Shan area. Masterful processing and further natural storage over the years turned this tea into a high-end product. The early spring harvest, consisting of a combination of “bud and one/two leaves”, has long become the standard today, used to produce the highest quality pu'er tea.
TERROIR
Bulang Shan is one of the most respected and recognizable mountain terroirs in the world of Pu'Er tea, historically associated with powerful structure, pronounced minerality, deep Cha Qi, and exceptional aging potential. Tea gardens in this region develop under warm subtropical mountain conditions shaped by abundant rainfall, humid air, mineral-rich soils, dense forest vegetation, and significant ecological biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s concentrated texture, energetic depth, mineral warmth, and long-lasting aftertaste.
The mountain soils of Bulang Shan are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. Ancient tea trees estimated to be more than 150 years old develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into the mountain terrain and interacting with multiple soil layers accumulated through centuries of ecological development. This mineral interaction contributes to the dense structure, persistent sweetness, strong energetic presence, and layered complexity characteristic of old tree Bulang tea material.
The use of early spring harvest further strengthens the terroir expression of this tea. After winter dormancy, the first developing leaves accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural components while preserving freshness, mineral concentration, and aromatic clarity. Combined with the naturally powerful character of Bulang Shan material, this creates a refined balance between dense structure, creamy texture, energetic intensity, and long-lasting sweetness rarely achieved in standard Shu Pu'Er productions.
Professional natural storage became an additional stage in the gradual evolution of the tea after production. Over time, the tea developed deeper woody, creamy, resinous, chocolate-like, herbal, and mineral characteristics while preserving the vibrant energetic foundation and structural power associated with Bulang mountain tea. The interaction between ancient tea tree material, mountain ecology, masterful blending, and careful natural storage created a Shu Pu'Er with exceptional maturity, balance, and long-lasting old tree character.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are dark, mature, and tightly compressed, displaying deep brown, dark copper, and golden tones characteristic of old tree Shu Pu'Er tea from Bulang Shan. Their appearance reflects careful fermentation, professional natural storage, and the dense structure of ancient tea material harvested during the early spring season. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, warm, and highly expressive, combining notes of aged wood, dark chocolate, dried fruits, warm minerals, resin, forest honey, and subtle earthy nuances. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes increasingly smooth and layered, revealing additional notes of cocoa, roasted nuts, humid forest tones, medicinal herbs, tree bark, sweet grains, and delicate incense-like woodiness. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes exceptionally integrated, balancing creamy softness, woody maturity, mineral warmth, and refined old tree sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a deep ruby-brown tone reflecting careful fermentation and years of gradual natural maturation. The aroma of the infusion is dense, velvety, and highly persistent, combining warm wood, creamy chocolate-like notes, dark dried fruits, sweet grains, warm minerals, resinous nuances, forest honey, and subtle herbal complexity. The texture is exceptionally thick, smooth, and coating, filling the palate with remarkable density and energetic depth while maintaining balance and refined structure characteristic of Bulang Shan old tree material. The taste is powerful yet highly refined, with almost no roughness, gradually developing into pronounced mineral sweetness and long-lasting warming sensations throughout the mouth and throat. Layers of dark chocolate, aged wood, creamy sweetness, dried fruits, roasted nuts, sweet grains, minerals, resin, forest honey, and soft earthy nuances continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining exceptional harmony between power, smoothness, maturity, and old tree mountain character.
The aftertaste is long, warm, and deeply persistent, 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 strong energetic Bulang foundation and refined mature complexity characteristic of professionally stored old tree Shu Pu'Er. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of dark chocolate, aged wood, forest honey, dried fruits, creamy cocoa, humid forest tones, sweet grains, medicinal herbs, and subtle resinous undertones.
2017 Bulang Shan Lao Shu Gan En Shu Cha is a ripe Pu'Er tea produced from early spring material harvested from tea trees estimated to be more than 150 years old in the Bulang Shan region of Menghai, Yunnan. Carefully created as a master’s blend and professionally matured under natural storage conditions, this tea reflects the combination of ancient tea material, traditional Shu Pu'Er craftsmanship, and the powerful structural character historically associated with Bulang mountain tea. Years of gradual maturation softened and integrated the tea while preserving its dense texture, mineral warmth, energetic depth, and rich mature complexity.
The use of early spring material from ancient tea trees plays a defining role in shaping the identity of this tea. After winter dormancy, the first developing leaves accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural components while preserving freshness, clarity, and energetic concentration. Combined with old tree material from Bulang Shan, this creates a Shu Pu'Er with exceptional density, persistent sweetness, strong mineral structure, and long-lasting aftertaste while maintaining remarkable smoothness and balance.
The tea was carefully assembled as a master’s blend, a production philosophy traditionally used to balance strength, texture, sweetness, aromatic complexity, and aging potential within one tea. Rather than relying on a single batch of material, blending allows experienced producers to create a more harmonious and complete expression of the Bulang mountain character. Professional natural storage then gradually refined the tea over time, allowing the woody, creamy, resinous, chocolate-like, and mineral characteristics to become increasingly smooth, integrated, and mature while preserving the vibrant energetic foundation of the original old tree material.
Gan En - Grateful Tea Factory - has a reputation for quality production and guarantees the authenticity of raw materials, working with tea leaves from different parts of the Bulang Shan area. Masterful processing and further natural storage over the years turned this tea into a high-end product. The early spring harvest, consisting of a combination of “bud and one/two leaves”, has long become the standard today, used to produce the highest quality pu'er tea.
TERROIR
Bulang Shan is one of the most respected and recognizable mountain terroirs in the world of Pu'Er tea, historically associated with powerful structure, pronounced minerality, deep Cha Qi, and exceptional aging potential. Tea gardens in this region develop under warm subtropical mountain conditions shaped by abundant rainfall, humid air, mineral-rich soils, dense forest vegetation, and significant ecological biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s concentrated texture, energetic depth, mineral warmth, and long-lasting aftertaste.
The mountain soils of Bulang Shan are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. Ancient tea trees estimated to be more than 150 years old develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into the mountain terrain and interacting with multiple soil layers accumulated through centuries of ecological development. This mineral interaction contributes to the dense structure, persistent sweetness, strong energetic presence, and layered complexity characteristic of old tree Bulang tea material.
The use of early spring harvest further strengthens the terroir expression of this tea. After winter dormancy, the first developing leaves accumulate concentrated aromatic compounds and balanced structural components while preserving freshness, mineral concentration, and aromatic clarity. Combined with the naturally powerful character of Bulang Shan material, this creates a refined balance between dense structure, creamy texture, energetic intensity, and long-lasting sweetness rarely achieved in standard Shu Pu'Er productions.
Professional natural storage became an additional stage in the gradual evolution of the tea after production. Over time, the tea developed deeper woody, creamy, resinous, chocolate-like, herbal, and mineral characteristics while preserving the vibrant energetic foundation and structural power associated with Bulang mountain tea. The interaction between ancient tea tree material, mountain ecology, masterful blending, and careful natural storage created a Shu Pu'Er with exceptional maturity, balance, and long-lasting old tree character.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are dark, mature, and tightly compressed, displaying deep brown, dark copper, and golden tones characteristic of old tree Shu Pu'Er tea from Bulang Shan. Their appearance reflects careful fermentation, professional natural storage, and the dense structure of ancient tea material harvested during the early spring season. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, warm, and highly expressive, combining notes of aged wood, dark chocolate, dried fruits, warm minerals, resin, forest honey, and subtle earthy nuances. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes increasingly smooth and layered, revealing additional notes of cocoa, roasted nuts, humid forest tones, medicinal herbs, tree bark, sweet grains, and delicate incense-like woodiness. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes exceptionally integrated, balancing creamy softness, woody maturity, mineral warmth, and refined old tree sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a deep ruby-brown tone reflecting careful fermentation and years of gradual natural maturation. The aroma of the infusion is dense, velvety, and highly persistent, combining warm wood, creamy chocolate-like notes, dark dried fruits, sweet grains, warm minerals, resinous nuances, forest honey, and subtle herbal complexity. The texture is exceptionally thick, smooth, and coating, filling the palate with remarkable density and energetic depth while maintaining balance and refined structure characteristic of Bulang Shan old tree material. The taste is powerful yet highly refined, with almost no roughness, gradually developing into pronounced mineral sweetness and long-lasting warming sensations throughout the mouth and throat. Layers of dark chocolate, aged wood, creamy sweetness, dried fruits, roasted nuts, sweet grains, minerals, resin, forest honey, and soft earthy nuances continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining exceptional harmony between power, smoothness, maturity, and old tree mountain character.
The aftertaste is long, warm, and deeply persistent, 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 strong energetic Bulang foundation and refined mature complexity characteristic of professionally stored old tree Shu Pu'Er. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of dark chocolate, aged wood, forest honey, dried fruits, creamy cocoa, humid forest tones, sweet grains, medicinal herbs, and subtle resinous undertones.
SHU (RIPE) PU'ER
Explore more Shu (Ripe) Pu'Er from AN SHIM TEA Collection.