Made from old-tree (gu shu) leaf grown in Yi Wu, an area known for a smooth, resilient body, low bitterness and astringency, and a slow, lingering sweetness that ages well. Old-tree (gu shu) leaf is what sets the "Lv Da Shu" apart: it typically brews thicker and lasts longer than plantation leaf. At this age, Yi Wu sheng is often starting to soften, though storage plays a part. "Lv Da Shu - Yi Wu Zheng Shan - Lao Shu Cha" (Green Big Tree - Yi Wu Mountain - Old Tree) is XiaGuan's 2012 sheng (raw) puerh, sold here as a 357g cake.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2012 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 357g cake · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: This is a 357g cake with a firm, tight compression. Breaking it open reveals visible buds.
- Liquor: The infusion pours clear, bright and golden.
- Taste: It opens mellow, with only a light bitterness, balanced by a natural sweetness. Once the leaf opens up, expect floral and woody notes in a sweet cup. The flavor shifts a little from steep to steep.
- Mouthfeel & body: The body comes across as full-bodied, rounded and mellow.
- Aftertaste: Swallow and you notice a lingering sweetness.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a novice.
Brewing Guide
Water: fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).
- Warm the pot and cups, then add about 5g of leaf per 100ml.
- Rinse the leaves once with boiling water and let them rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
- Steep the first rounds for 10–15 seconds, adding about 5 seconds with each round.
- Pour every steep into a fairness pitcher before serving.
- Serve. Sheng puerh resteeps well for many rounds.
Treat these as starting points rather than fixed rules. Try high or low pours, fast or slow, and brew in different seasons to find the method that suits you. Brewing the same tea well in any year, season, weather or place takes practice, and that skill is the real goal.
Storage
Keep the tea ventilated, cool and dry, away from sunlight and strong odors (kitchen spices, smoke). For long-term aging, paper or clay containers breathe better than sealed plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not every cake shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.
- Small dark specks: tiny dark specks may appear on the wrapper or tea edges of naturally stored puerh. They are harmless and can be brushed off before brewing.
- Tea oil spots: yellowish spots may appear and can come from natural tea oils. They are not a flaw.
- Torn wrapper: small tears or holes in the cotton paper may happen during storage and handling. The tea inside is unaffected.
