MENG KU GAO SHAN QIZI YUAN CHA
BING DAO OLD TREES
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Bing Dao, Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan, China
2023 Mengku Gao Shan Qizi Yuan Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from old tea tree material growing in the high-mountain environments of Mengku, Lincang, one of the most respected regions for powerful and long-aging Sheng Cha. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of mature tree material, elevated mountain terroir, and the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er. The infusion is dense and energetic, offering pronounced minerality, refined bitterness, floral and woody nuances, strong returning sweetness, and a long, cooling aftertaste with exceptional depth and structural clarity. MORE
357 g cake
AROMA
...
TASTE
...
HARVEST: Spring, 2023
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Bing Dao, Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan, China
2023 Mengku Gao Shan Qizi Yuan Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from old tea tree material growing in the high-mountain environments of Mengku, Lincang, one of the most respected regions for powerful and long-aging Sheng Cha. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of mature tree material, elevated mountain terroir, and the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er. The infusion is dense and energetic, offering pronounced minerality, refined bitterness, floral and woody nuances, strong returning sweetness, and a long, cooling aftertaste with exceptional depth and structural clarity. MORE
357 g cake
AROMA
...
TASTE
...
HARVEST: Spring, 2023
SHENG PU'ER is a traditional post-processed tea made from sun-dried tea leaves that continue to evolve naturally through slow fermentation and aging over time. Thanks to minimal processing and its living microbial ecosystem, this type of tea retains a rich concentration of polyphenols, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, aromatic compounds, and other bioactive substances that gradually transform as the tea matures.
Unlike most tea categories, Sheng Pu'Er continues to develop for decades after production, with aging enhancing its complexity, smoothness, and depth while reducing bitterness and astringency. It is believed that regular consumption of Sheng Pu'Er may support cardiovascular health, contribute to healthy cholesterol metabolism, assist the body's natural antioxidant defenses, and promote healthy digestion. Traditionally, Sheng Pu'Er has also been appreciated for its invigorating Cha Qi, its ability to enhance mental clarity and concentration, support physical vitality, and create a balanced state of energy, calmness, and overall well-being.
Unlike most tea categories, Sheng Pu'Er continues to develop for decades after production, with aging enhancing its complexity, smoothness, and depth while reducing bitterness and astringency. It is believed that regular consumption of Sheng Pu'Er may support cardiovascular health, contribute to healthy cholesterol metabolism, assist the body's natural antioxidant defenses, and promote healthy digestion. Traditionally, Sheng Pu'Er has also been appreciated for its invigorating Cha Qi, its ability to enhance mental clarity and concentration, support physical vitality, and create a balanced state of energy, calmness, and overall 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).
WILD TEA
Wild tea refers to plants that grow naturally in the forest or mountains without human planting, pruning, or care. These trees are very old, deeply rooted in the earth, and part of a diverse natural ecosystem. These are tall, old trees, some more than 100, 300, or even 1000+ years old, rooted deep into mineral-rich soil, thriving in diverse ecosystems. Wild tea trees grow tall and strong, with roots reaching deep into the earth. This allows them to absorb various minerals, creating complex, full-bodied flavors that change with each harvest. Growing in remote forests, these trees are untouched by pesticides or fertilizers. Many tea lovers say wild teas carry a unique energy, a grounding, calming, and sometimes uplifting presence. This is believed to be the "Qi" of the mountains, the life force of ancient trees, passed into the leaves. Wild tea is often high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and minerals. Because these trees grow slowly and absorb nutrients naturally, their leaves produce clean, nourishing brews that are gentle on the body but rich in effect.
Learn more about Pesticide-Free Gardening
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 99 °C
Amount: 3-5 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 7+
WESTERN (INFUSION)
Temperature: 99 °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
2023 Mengku Gao Shan Qizi Yuan Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from spring 2023 tea material sourced from old tea tree environments growing in the high-mountain regions of Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan, China, one of the most respected areas for structurally powerful and long-aging Sheng Pu'Er. Traditional Sheng Cha production methods including careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and stone pressing preserve the freshness, energetic character, and long-term transformation potential of the leaf material. The combination of mature old tree material, elevated mountain terroir, and traditional craftsmanship creates a tea with pronounced minerality, refined structural depth, and exceptional aromatic clarity.
Mengku is internationally respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers for producing Sheng Pu'Er with strong energetic depth, dense texture, layered bitterness, and exceptional aging capacity. Old tea trees growing in these mountain environments develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into mineral-rich soils, contributing to the concentrated structure, pronounced Hui Gan, and layered complexity associated with high-quality Lao Shu Sheng Cha. Compared to softer regional profiles, Mengku teas are traditionally appreciated for their balance between power, clarity, freshness, and long-lasting aromatic evolution.
As a young Sheng Pu'Er, the spring 2023 harvest still preserves much of its vibrant freshness, structural tension, and dynamic mountain character. Floral, mineral, woody, and sweet returning notes remain highly expressive and direct, while the concentration associated with mature tree material already provides remarkable depth and persistence throughout the session. Properly stored Mengku Lao Shu Sheng Pu'Er is especially valued for its ability to evolve gradually over decades while preserving energetic strength, aromatic precision, structural clarity, and refined mountain character.
TERROIR
The Mengku area of Lincang, Yunnan, is one of the most respected high-mountain terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er production, internationally recognized for producing teas with strong structure, deep minerality, and exceptional long-term aging potential. Tea tree environments in this region are generally situated at elevations ranging from approximately 1600 to 2200 meters above sea level, where cool mountain 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 energetic character, layered bitterness, refined sweetness, and persistent aromatic complexity.
The mountain soils of Mengku 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, structural depth, persistent aftertaste, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Lao Shu Sheng Cha from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid mountain conditions support relatively slow vegetation cycles while protecting the tea trees from excessive environmental stress. Frequent cloud cover moderates direct sunlight exposure, helping preserve aromatic freshness and complexity within the leaves, while periods of stronger mountain sunlight contribute to concentration and balanced polyphenol development. Compared to softer regional profiles, Mengku terroir is especially respected for producing Sheng Pu'Er with powerful structure, pronounced minerality, active Hui Gan, and remarkable transformation capacity while maintaining clarity and elegance.
The high-mountain ecology of Mengku plays a particularly important role in the final character of this tea. Cooler temperatures and slower vegetation cycles support the accumulation of concentrated aromatic compounds, balanced amino acid content, and refined energetic clarity within the leaves while preserving freshness and structural precision. Combined with mature old tree material and traditional Sheng Cha processing, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional depth, strong energetic character, and highly expressive aromatic evolution valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, mature, and strongly structured, displaying deep olive and dark green tones with silver-covered buds characteristic of young old tree Sheng Pu'Er from high-mountain environments. Their appearance reflects careful hand-harvesting and traditional processing while preserving the natural integrity and texture of the leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaf is vibrant, concentrated, and deeply layered, combining notes of fresh mountain herbs, warm minerals, floral honey, light woodiness, resin, and subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes warmer and increasingly expressive, revealing additional layers of forest wood, humid stone minerality, tree bark, fresh herbs, light spice, and delicate camphor-like freshness characteristic of Mengku material. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes smoother and more integrated, balancing floral elegance, mineral depth, woody structure, and refined sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-yellow tone reflecting the freshness and concentration of young old tree Sheng Pu'Er. The aroma of the infusion is layered, vibrant, and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, floral nuances, fresh herbs, light resinous notes, subtle fruity sweetness, and cooling mountain freshness. The texture is dense, smooth, and highly coating, showing the powerful yet refined structure characteristic of Mengku material while maintaining exceptional clarity and energetic tension. Initial bitterness is direct, clean, and highly refined, quickly transforming into pronounced Hui Gan, strong returning sweetness that develops actively throughout the palate and throat. Layers of floral honey, fresh wood, minerals, mountain herbs, dried fruits, light spice, resin, and cooling sensations continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining remarkable harmony between strength, freshness, energetic character, and elegance.
The aftertaste is exceptionally long, cooling, and deeply persistent, with sweetness gradually intensifying and remaining in the throat and mouth long after drinking. As the tea continues to open, the structure becomes increasingly expansive and integrated while preserving its vibrant Mengku character and pronounced mineral depth. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of floral honey, sweet wood, dried fruits, humid forest tones, light resin, fresh herbs, and subtle camphor undertones.
2023 Mengku Gao Shan Qizi Yuan Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from spring 2023 tea material sourced from old tea tree environments growing in the high-mountain regions of Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan, China, one of the most respected areas for structurally powerful and long-aging Sheng Pu'Er. Traditional Sheng Cha production methods including careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and stone pressing preserve the freshness, energetic character, and long-term transformation potential of the leaf material. The combination of mature old tree material, elevated mountain terroir, and traditional craftsmanship creates a tea with pronounced minerality, refined structural depth, and exceptional aromatic clarity.
Mengku is internationally respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers for producing Sheng Pu'Er with strong energetic depth, dense texture, layered bitterness, and exceptional aging capacity. Old tea trees growing in these mountain environments develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into mineral-rich soils, contributing to the concentrated structure, pronounced Hui Gan, and layered complexity associated with high-quality Lao Shu Sheng Cha. Compared to softer regional profiles, Mengku teas are traditionally appreciated for their balance between power, clarity, freshness, and long-lasting aromatic evolution.
As a young Sheng Pu'Er, the spring 2023 harvest still preserves much of its vibrant freshness, structural tension, and dynamic mountain character. Floral, mineral, woody, and sweet returning notes remain highly expressive and direct, while the concentration associated with mature tree material already provides remarkable depth and persistence throughout the session. Properly stored Mengku Lao Shu Sheng Pu'Er is especially valued for its ability to evolve gradually over decades while preserving energetic strength, aromatic precision, structural clarity, and refined mountain character.
TERROIR
The Mengku area of Lincang, Yunnan, is one of the most respected high-mountain terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er production, internationally recognized for producing teas with strong structure, deep minerality, and exceptional long-term aging potential. Tea tree environments in this region are generally situated at elevations ranging from approximately 1600 to 2200 meters above sea level, where cool mountain 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 energetic character, layered bitterness, refined sweetness, and persistent aromatic complexity.
The mountain soils of Mengku 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, structural depth, persistent aftertaste, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Lao Shu Sheng Cha from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid mountain conditions support relatively slow vegetation cycles while protecting the tea trees from excessive environmental stress. Frequent cloud cover moderates direct sunlight exposure, helping preserve aromatic freshness and complexity within the leaves, while periods of stronger mountain sunlight contribute to concentration and balanced polyphenol development. Compared to softer regional profiles, Mengku terroir is especially respected for producing Sheng Pu'Er with powerful structure, pronounced minerality, active Hui Gan, and remarkable transformation capacity while maintaining clarity and elegance.
The high-mountain ecology of Mengku plays a particularly important role in the final character of this tea. Cooler temperatures and slower vegetation cycles support the accumulation of concentrated aromatic compounds, balanced amino acid content, and refined energetic clarity within the leaves while preserving freshness and structural precision. Combined with mature old tree material and traditional Sheng Cha processing, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional depth, strong energetic character, and highly expressive aromatic evolution valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, mature, and strongly structured, displaying deep olive and dark green tones with silver-covered buds characteristic of young old tree Sheng Pu'Er from high-mountain environments. Their appearance reflects careful hand-harvesting and traditional processing while preserving the natural integrity and texture of the leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaf is vibrant, concentrated, and deeply layered, combining notes of fresh mountain herbs, warm minerals, floral honey, light woodiness, resin, and subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes warmer and increasingly expressive, revealing additional layers of forest wood, humid stone minerality, tree bark, fresh herbs, light spice, and delicate camphor-like freshness characteristic of Mengku material. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes smoother and more integrated, balancing floral elegance, mineral depth, woody structure, and refined sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-yellow tone reflecting the freshness and concentration of young old tree Sheng Pu'Er. The aroma of the infusion is layered, vibrant, and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, floral nuances, fresh herbs, light resinous notes, subtle fruity sweetness, and cooling mountain freshness. The texture is dense, smooth, and highly coating, showing the powerful yet refined structure characteristic of Mengku material while maintaining exceptional clarity and energetic tension. Initial bitterness is direct, clean, and highly refined, quickly transforming into pronounced Hui Gan, strong returning sweetness that develops actively throughout the palate and throat. Layers of floral honey, fresh wood, minerals, mountain herbs, dried fruits, light spice, resin, and cooling sensations continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining remarkable harmony between strength, freshness, energetic character, and elegance.
The aftertaste is exceptionally long, cooling, and deeply persistent, with sweetness gradually intensifying and remaining in the throat and mouth long after drinking. As the tea continues to open, the structure becomes increasingly expansive and integrated while preserving its vibrant Mengku character and pronounced mineral depth. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of floral honey, sweet wood, dried fruits, humid forest tones, light resin, fresh herbs, and subtle camphor undertones.
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
Explore more Sheng (Raw) Pu'Er from AN SHIM TEA Collection.