Old-tree (gu shu) leaf is what sets the "Shen Shan Lao Shu" apart: it typically brews thicker and lasts longer than plantation leaf. At this age, sheng is often starting to soften, though storage plays a part. LaoTongZhi's 2016 "Shen Shan Lao Shu" (High Mountain Old Tree) comes as a 500g cake of sheng (raw) puerh.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2016 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 500g cake · LaoTongZhi Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The leaf is compressed into a 500g cake.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically golden to amber at this stage.
- Taste: It opens fresh from the first steep. As the session goes on, it shows floral and earthy notes and a sweet and rich profile. New details keep appearing in the later steeps.
- Mouthfeel & body: In the mouth it feels smooth.
- Aftertaste: Look for a lingering sweetness after each cup.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a drinker new to puerh.
Brewing Guide
Water: rolling boil, 100°C (212°F).
- Rinse teaware with hot water; use roughly 5g of tea for each 100ml of vessel.
- Give the leaves one quick rinse, then cover and rest about 10 minutes to wake them up.
- Begin with 10–15 second steeps, lengthening each by about 5 seconds.
- Decant fully into a sharing pitcher each time.
- Enjoy — good sheng keeps giving for many infusions.
Use this as a starting point, not a fixed formula. Play with pour height and speed, and notice how the tea answers in different weather and seasons. Learning to brew one tea well anywhere, anytime is the real craft.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place with gentle airflow, out of direct light and away from strong smells such as cooking spices or smoke. If you plan to age it for years, breathable paper or clay storage suits puerh better than airtight plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not every cake shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.
- Bamboo powder (zhu fen): a natural sign of traditional bamboo-husk packing. In Guangdong's warm, humid climate, tiny bamboo insects can make their home in the husk, nibbling the husk and cotton paper wrapper while leaving the tea itself untouched. What they leave behind is a fine powder, seen only on certain teas and more often on aged ones. It is harmless to hygiene; a few strokes with a clean toothbrush or soft brush before brewing is all it takes.
- 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.
