Ripe (Shu) pu-erh Qiao Mu Gunting, 2013, 357g

A thick, rich, and oily Gunting for everyday use—an excellent choice to wake up and start the day energetically.

The name of the cake explains its origin and the class of raw material. The term "Qiao Mu" (乔木, "High Trees") indicates that the leaves for this pu-erh were collected from tall, straight tea trees. These trees are frost-resistant and have a rich content of beneficial substances for delicious tea. The material from these trees is well-suited for producing red teas and pu-erhs. The second part of the name, "Gunting" (宫廷, "Palace"), refers to the category of raw material, specifically the size of the leaves. These leaves are small and whole, not cut. In Gunting teas, tender leaves are interspersed with a large number of tea buds, providing a strong flavor and powerful effects.

Aroma: sweet, with notes of wood and nuts.

Flavor: thick, velvety, dense, and smooth, with a pronounced woody and peaty base, hints of chocolate, and bitter almond. The aftertaste is enveloping, sweet, and long-lasting.

Effects: invigorating, warming, and inspiring.

Production: 2013, Gu Cha Yuan factory, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The cake has matured well. Its storage was appropriate, resulting in a more balanced and rounded flavor.

Format: 357 grams cake.

Brewing: Any teaware is suitable for pu-erhs. Porcelain will enhance the aroma, while clay will round out and express the flavor. When dealing with Gunting teas, use slightly less or pour off the brewed tea quickly, as they brew fast.