LAOBANZHANG GU CHA CHANG SHENG CHA
LAOBANZHANG ANCIENT TREES
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Laobanzhang, Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
2019 Lao Ban Zhang Gu Cha Chang Cheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material sourced from the Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Yunnan province, one of the most respected and recognizable terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of powerful mountain material, traditional craftsmanship, and several years of natural aging that have already begun integrating its strong structural character. The infusion is dense and energetic, offering pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, returning sweetness, woody and herbal nuances, and a long, cooling aftertaste with remarkable depth and persistence. MORE
357 g cake
AROMA
Fruity, honey
TASTE
Fruity, citrus, sugary
HARVEST: Spring, 2019
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Laobanzhang, Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
2019 Lao Ban Zhang Gu Cha Chang Cheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material sourced from the Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Yunnan province, one of the most respected and recognizable terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of powerful mountain material, traditional craftsmanship, and several years of natural aging that have already begun integrating its strong structural character. The infusion is dense and energetic, offering pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, returning sweetness, woody and herbal nuances, and a long, cooling aftertaste with remarkable depth and persistence. MORE
357 g cake
AROMA
Fruity, honey
TASTE
Fruity, citrus, sugary
HARVEST: Spring, 2019
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
2019 Lao Ban Zhang Gu Cha Chang Cheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material sourced from the Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, one of the most respected and recognizable origins in the world of Sheng Pu'Er. Harvested and processed in 2019 using traditional Sheng Cha techniques, this tea reflects the combination of powerful mountain material, classic craftsmanship, and several years of natural aging that have already begun integrating its strong structural character. The production follows a traditional approach including careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and pressing, preserving the energetic depth and long-term transformation potential of the leaf material.
Lao Ban Zhang teas are internationally respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers for their exceptional concentration, pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, and powerful returning sweetness. Tea material from this region is especially valued for its dense structure and long-lasting energetic character, qualities closely connected to the mountain environment and mature tea tree ecosystems of Bulang Shan. Compared to softer regional profiles, Lao Ban Zhang Sheng Pu'Er is traditionally associated with strength, persistence, structural intensity, and exceptional aging capacity.
Several years of natural aging have already begun softening and integrating some of the sharper youthful characteristics of this 2019 harvest while preserving its powerful mountain identity and energetic depth. Over time, woody, herbal, mineral, resinous, and sweet returning notes have become increasingly balanced and layered while maintaining the tea’s characteristic structure and persistence. Properly stored Sheng Pu'Er from Lao Ban Zhang is especially appreciated for its ability to continue evolving for decades while preserving strength, clarity, and remarkable aromatic complexity.
TERROIR
The Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, is one of the most respected and influential terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er tea. Tea gardens in this region are generally situated at elevations ranging from approximately 1600 to 1800 meters above sea level, where warm subtropical conditions combine with dense forest ecosystems, abundant rainfall, humid mountain air, and rich biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s powerful structure, pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, strong returning sweetness, and exceptional aging potential.
The mountain soils of Lao Ban Zhang are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. 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 long ecological cycles. This deep mineral interaction contributes to the dense texture, energetic depth, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Sheng Pu'Er from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid mountain conditions support relatively slow and balanced leaf development 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 powerful polyphenol structure. This balance between warmth, humidity, altitude, and biodiversity produces teas with strong body, pronounced bitterness, persistent sweetness, and remarkable long-term transformation capacity.
Traditional harvesting and processing methods remain closely connected to the rhythm of the local mountain ecosystem. Tea material is selectively hand-harvested and processed near the cultivation area to preserve freshness and maintain the integrity of the leaves before fixation. Combined with the distinctive terroir of Lao Ban Zhang and the mountain ecology of Bulang Shan, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional energetic character, powerful structural depth, and deep aromatic evolution highly valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, thick, and strongly structured, displaying deep olive, dark brown, and silver-toned hues characteristic of Sheng Pu'Er from Lao Ban Zhang. Their appearance reflects careful traditional processing and several years of natural maturation while preserving the integrity and texture of the leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, concentrated, and powerful, combining notes of dry wood, mountain herbs, warm minerals, resin, dark honey, humid forest tones, and subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes warmer and significantly more layered, revealing additional notes of tree bark, incense-like woodiness, medicinal herbs, light spice, camphor-like freshness, and pronounced mineral depth. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes richer and increasingly integrated, balancing woody maturity, herbal intensity, mineral structure, and returning sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-amber tone reflecting several years of natural aging. The aroma of the infusion is dense and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, aged wood, dried herbs, resinous notes, medicinal undertones, subtle floral nuances, and cooling camphor-like freshness. The texture is thick, coating, and highly energetic, showing the powerful structure characteristic of Lao Ban Zhang material while maintaining clarity and balance. Initial bitterness is pronounced, direct, and long-lasting yet exceptionally clean, gradually transforming into strong returning sweetness and active salivation throughout the palate and throat. Layers of minerals, forest wood, herbal medicine, dark honey, resin, light spice, dried fruits, and cooling sensations continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining exceptional balance between strength, depth, energy, and refinement.
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 powerful Lao Ban Zhang identity. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of aged wood, medicinal herbs, resin, dark honey, humid forest tones, dried fruits, and subtle camphor undertones.
2019 Lao Ban Zhang Gu Cha Chang Cheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material sourced from the Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, one of the most respected and recognizable origins in the world of Sheng Pu'Er. Harvested and processed in 2019 using traditional Sheng Cha techniques, this tea reflects the combination of powerful mountain material, classic craftsmanship, and several years of natural aging that have already begun integrating its strong structural character. The production follows a traditional approach including careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and pressing, preserving the energetic depth and long-term transformation potential of the leaf material.
Lao Ban Zhang teas are internationally respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers for their exceptional concentration, pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, and powerful returning sweetness. Tea material from this region is especially valued for its dense structure and long-lasting energetic character, qualities closely connected to the mountain environment and mature tea tree ecosystems of Bulang Shan. Compared to softer regional profiles, Lao Ban Zhang Sheng Pu'Er is traditionally associated with strength, persistence, structural intensity, and exceptional aging capacity.
Several years of natural aging have already begun softening and integrating some of the sharper youthful characteristics of this 2019 harvest while preserving its powerful mountain identity and energetic depth. Over time, woody, herbal, mineral, resinous, and sweet returning notes have become increasingly balanced and layered while maintaining the tea’s characteristic structure and persistence. Properly stored Sheng Pu'Er from Lao Ban Zhang is especially appreciated for its ability to continue evolving for decades while preserving strength, clarity, and remarkable aromatic complexity.
TERROIR
The Lao Ban Zhang area of Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, is one of the most respected and influential terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er tea. Tea gardens in this region are generally situated at elevations ranging from approximately 1600 to 1800 meters above sea level, where warm subtropical conditions combine with dense forest ecosystems, abundant rainfall, humid mountain air, and rich biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s powerful structure, pronounced bitterness, deep minerality, strong returning sweetness, and exceptional aging potential.
The mountain soils of Lao Ban Zhang are rich in minerals and organic matter, with stable moisture retention and excellent natural drainage. 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 long ecological cycles. This deep mineral interaction contributes to the dense texture, energetic depth, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Sheng Pu'Er from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid mountain conditions support relatively slow and balanced leaf development 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 powerful polyphenol structure. This balance between warmth, humidity, altitude, and biodiversity produces teas with strong body, pronounced bitterness, persistent sweetness, and remarkable long-term transformation capacity.
Traditional harvesting and processing methods remain closely connected to the rhythm of the local mountain ecosystem. Tea material is selectively hand-harvested and processed near the cultivation area to preserve freshness and maintain the integrity of the leaves before fixation. Combined with the distinctive terroir of Lao Ban Zhang and the mountain ecology of Bulang Shan, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional energetic character, powerful structural depth, and deep aromatic evolution highly valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, thick, and strongly structured, displaying deep olive, dark brown, and silver-toned hues characteristic of Sheng Pu'Er from Lao Ban Zhang. Their appearance reflects careful traditional processing and several years of natural maturation while preserving the integrity and texture of the leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaf is deep, concentrated, and powerful, combining notes of dry wood, mountain herbs, warm minerals, resin, dark honey, humid forest tones, and subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated gaiwan or teapot, the aroma becomes warmer and significantly more layered, revealing additional notes of tree bark, incense-like woodiness, medicinal herbs, light spice, camphor-like freshness, and pronounced mineral depth. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes richer and increasingly integrated, balancing woody maturity, herbal intensity, mineral structure, and returning sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-amber tone reflecting several years of natural aging. The aroma of the infusion is dense and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, aged wood, dried herbs, resinous notes, medicinal undertones, subtle floral nuances, and cooling camphor-like freshness. The texture is thick, coating, and highly energetic, showing the powerful structure characteristic of Lao Ban Zhang material while maintaining clarity and balance. Initial bitterness is pronounced, direct, and long-lasting yet exceptionally clean, gradually transforming into strong returning sweetness and active salivation throughout the palate and throat. Layers of minerals, forest wood, herbal medicine, dark honey, resin, light spice, dried fruits, and cooling sensations continue evolving throughout the session while maintaining exceptional balance between strength, depth, energy, and refinement.
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 powerful Lao Ban Zhang identity. In the empty cup, the aroma remains warm and expressive, revealing lingering notes of aged wood, medicinal herbs, resin, dark honey, humid forest tones, dried fruits, and subtle camphor undertones.
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
Explore more Sheng (Raw) Pu'Er from AN SHIM TEA Collection.