YIWU GUA FENG ZHAI GU SHU SHENG CHA
GUA FENG ZHAI ANCIENT TREES
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Gua Feng Zhai, YiWu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
2023 Yiwu Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from old tea trees growing in the Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, one of the most respected terroirs in Xishuangbanna for refined and highly expressive Sheng Cha material. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of mature tree material, forest mountain ecology, and the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er. The infusion is elegant and energetic, offering layered sweetness, refined bitterness, floral and woody nuances, pronounced minerality, and a long, cooling aftertaste with exceptional clarity and balance. MORE
200 g
AROMA
Floral, fruity, honey
TASTE
Honey, creamy
350 years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1800 m
HARVEST: Spring, 2023
SHENG (RAW) PU'ER
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
Gua Feng Zhai, YiWu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
2023 Yiwu Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from old tea trees growing in the Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, one of the most respected terroirs in Xishuangbanna for refined and highly expressive Sheng Cha material. Hand-harvested and traditionally processed, this tea reflects the combination of mature tree material, forest mountain ecology, and the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er. The infusion is elegant and energetic, offering layered sweetness, refined bitterness, floral and woody nuances, pronounced minerality, and a long, cooling aftertaste with exceptional clarity and balance. MORE
200 g
AROMA
Floral, fruity, honey
TASTE
Honey, creamy
350 years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1800 m
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 Yiwu Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material harvested and processed in 2023 from tea trees estimated to be approximately 350 years old growing at an altitude of around 1800 meters in the Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. High elevation, mature old tree material, and traditional Sheng Cha production techniques create a tea with pronounced aromatic clarity, refined sweetness, and exceptional long-term aging potential. The production follows a classic processing approach focused on preserving the purity and energetic character of the leaf material through careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and traditional stone pressing.
Gua Feng Zhai is widely respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers as one of the most prestigious subregions within the greater Yiwu terroir, especially appreciated for producing Sheng Pu'Er with elegant structure, layered minerality, refined bitterness, and exceptional aromatic precision. Old tea trees growing in these mountain environments develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into mineral-rich soils, contributing to the dense texture, pronounced Hui Gan, and layered complexity associated with high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er. Compared to more aggressive regional styles, Gua Feng Zhai teas are traditionally valued for their balance between strength, softness, energetic depth, and refined sweetness.
As a young Sheng Pu'Er, the 2023 harvest still preserves the vibrant freshness, structural tension, and dynamic energetic character typical of recently produced old tree material. Floral, vegetal, mineral, and sweet returning notes remain highly expressive and direct, while the tea already demonstrates the depth and concentration associated with mature tree material from high-mountain environments. Properly stored Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er is especially appreciated for its ability to evolve gradually over decades while preserving clarity, sweetness, aromatic precision, and structural elegance.
TERROIR
The Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, is considered one of the most prestigious and ecologically rich terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er tea. Tea tree environments in this region reach elevations of approximately 1800 meters above sea level, where warm subtropical conditions combine with dense forest ecosystems, humid mountain air, abundant rainfall, and exceptional biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s refined sweetness, elegant structure, layered minerality, and exceptional long-term aging potential.
The mountain soils of Gua Feng Zhai 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 depth, persistent aftertaste, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid subtropical mountain conditions support slow and balanced leaf development while protecting the tea trees from excessive environmental stress. Frequent mist and cloud cover moderate direct sunlight exposure, helping preserve freshness and aromatic complexity within the leaves, while periods of mountain sunlight contribute to concentration and refined structural intensity. Compared to more aggressive regional profiles, Gua Feng Zhai terroir is especially respected for producing Sheng Pu'Er with elegant sweetness, refined bitterness, pronounced Hui Gan, and highly layered aromatic evolution over time.
The high elevation of approximately 1800 meters plays a particularly important role in the final character of this tea. Cooler temperatures and strong day-to-night temperature variation slow vegetation cycles and support the accumulation of concentrated aromatic compounds, balanced amino acid content, and refined energetic clarity within the leaves. Combined with mature old tree material and the forest mountain ecology of Gua Feng Zhai, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional aromatic precision, structural balance, and remarkable long-term transformation potential highly valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, elegant, and well-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 leaves. The aroma of the dry leaf is refined, vibrant, and deeply layered, combining notes of wildflowers, fresh wood, mountain herbs, warm minerals, floral honey, and subtle 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 resin, and delicate camphor-like freshness characteristic of Gua Feng Zhai material. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes smoother and more integrated, balancing floral elegance, woody depth, mineral clarity, and refined sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-yellow tone reflecting the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er and the concentration of old tree material. The aroma of the infusion is layered, fresh, and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, floral nuances, fresh herbs, light resinous notes, subtle fruity sweetness, and cooling mountain freshness. The texture is smooth, dense, and highly coating, showing the refined balance characteristic of Gua Feng Zhai old tree material while maintaining excellent clarity and energetic tension. Initial bitterness is clean, refined, and well-structured, 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 freshness, elegance, energetic character, and depth.
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 high-mountain character and refined Gua Feng Zhai identity. 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 Yiwu Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Cha is a raw Pu'Er tea produced from tea material harvested and processed in 2023 from tea trees estimated to be approximately 350 years old growing at an altitude of around 1800 meters in the Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. High elevation, mature old tree material, and traditional Sheng Cha production techniques create a tea with pronounced aromatic clarity, refined sweetness, and exceptional long-term aging potential. The production follows a classic processing approach focused on preserving the purity and energetic character of the leaf material through careful hand-harvesting, pan-firing, sun-drying, and traditional stone pressing.
Gua Feng Zhai is widely respected among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers as one of the most prestigious subregions within the greater Yiwu terroir, especially appreciated for producing Sheng Pu'Er with elegant structure, layered minerality, refined bitterness, and exceptional aromatic precision. Old tea trees growing in these mountain environments develop extensive root systems capable of penetrating deeply into mineral-rich soils, contributing to the dense texture, pronounced Hui Gan, and layered complexity associated with high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er. Compared to more aggressive regional styles, Gua Feng Zhai teas are traditionally valued for their balance between strength, softness, energetic depth, and refined sweetness.
As a young Sheng Pu'Er, the 2023 harvest still preserves the vibrant freshness, structural tension, and dynamic energetic character typical of recently produced old tree material. Floral, vegetal, mineral, and sweet returning notes remain highly expressive and direct, while the tea already demonstrates the depth and concentration associated with mature tree material from high-mountain environments. Properly stored Gua Feng Zhai Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er is especially appreciated for its ability to evolve gradually over decades while preserving clarity, sweetness, aromatic precision, and structural elegance.
TERROIR
The Gua Feng Zhai area of Yiwu, Mengla, Xishuangbanna, is considered one of the most prestigious and ecologically rich terroirs in the world of Sheng Pu'Er tea. Tea tree environments in this region reach elevations of approximately 1800 meters above sea level, where warm subtropical conditions combine with dense forest ecosystems, humid mountain air, abundant rainfall, and exceptional biodiversity. These environmental conditions contribute directly to the tea’s refined sweetness, elegant structure, layered minerality, and exceptional long-term aging potential.
The mountain soils of Gua Feng Zhai 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 depth, persistent aftertaste, and layered complexity characteristic of high-quality Gu Shu Sheng Pu'Er from the region.
Dense forest vegetation and humid subtropical mountain conditions support slow and balanced leaf development while protecting the tea trees from excessive environmental stress. Frequent mist and cloud cover moderate direct sunlight exposure, helping preserve freshness and aromatic complexity within the leaves, while periods of mountain sunlight contribute to concentration and refined structural intensity. Compared to more aggressive regional profiles, Gua Feng Zhai terroir is especially respected for producing Sheng Pu'Er with elegant sweetness, refined bitterness, pronounced Hui Gan, and highly layered aromatic evolution over time.
The high elevation of approximately 1800 meters plays a particularly important role in the final character of this tea. Cooler temperatures and strong day-to-night temperature variation slow vegetation cycles and support the accumulation of concentrated aromatic compounds, balanced amino acid content, and refined energetic clarity within the leaves. Combined with mature old tree material and the forest mountain ecology of Gua Feng Zhai, these conditions produce Sheng Pu'Er with exceptional aromatic precision, structural balance, and remarkable long-term transformation potential highly valued among experienced Pu'Er tea lovers.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves are large, elegant, and well-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 leaves. The aroma of the dry leaf is refined, vibrant, and deeply layered, combining notes of wildflowers, fresh wood, mountain herbs, warm minerals, floral honey, and subtle 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 resin, and delicate camphor-like freshness characteristic of Gua Feng Zhai material. After the rinse, the leaves fully awaken and the aromatic profile becomes smoother and more integrated, balancing floral elegance, woody depth, mineral clarity, and refined sweetness.
The liquor is clear and bright, with a rich golden-yellow tone reflecting the vibrant freshness of young Sheng Pu'Er and the concentration of old tree material. The aroma of the infusion is layered, fresh, and highly persistent, combining warm minerals, floral nuances, fresh herbs, light resinous notes, subtle fruity sweetness, and cooling mountain freshness. The texture is smooth, dense, and highly coating, showing the refined balance characteristic of Gua Feng Zhai old tree material while maintaining excellent clarity and energetic tension. Initial bitterness is clean, refined, and well-structured, 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 freshness, elegance, energetic character, and depth.
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 high-mountain character and refined Gua Feng Zhai identity. 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.