Lao Ban Zhang in the Bu Lang range is known for great strength and depth, with bold bitterness giving way to a quick, sweeping hui gan; this tea is made from its leaf. Still young, sheng like this usually shows its character plainly. "Lao Ban Zhang" (Lao Ban Zhang) is ChenShengHao's 2021 sheng (raw) puerh, sold here as a 200g brick.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2021 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 200g brick · ChenShengHao Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: It is pressed into a 200g brick.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, bright liquor, golden yellow, as is usual for young sheng.
- Taste: It opens fresh, with some bitterness and some astringency, balanced by a natural sweetness. As the session goes on, it shows floral and fruity notes with a touch of honey and sugarcane and a sweet and rich profile.
- Mouthfeel & body: In the mouth it feels thick, smooth and oily. Drinkers who look for cha qi will find it here.
- Aftertaste: Swallow and you notice a strong hui gan, plenty of salivation and a long finish.
- Best for: improving your tea experience; it rewards slower brewing and is a good next step after your first few sheng teas.
Brewing Guide
Water: 100°C (212°F), fully boiling.
- Preheat the vessel; add around 5g per 100ml.
- One rinse to open the leaves, then a covered rest of about 10 minutes.
- Steep 10–15 seconds at first, adding ~5 seconds per round.
- Always pour out completely into a fairness cup before drinking.
- Keep steeping — sheng rewards patience with many rounds.
These are guidelines to start from, not rules to obey. Experiment with your pour, your pace, and the season; the same leaf tastes different on a rainy day. The goal is the skill to brew it well whenever, wherever.
Storage
Give it air, coolness and dryness; keep it out of the sun and clear of potent odors (spices, smoke). For multi-year aging, paper or unglazed clay lets the tea breathe in a way sealed plastic never will.
A Note on Appearance
Not every brick 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.
