The leaf comes from Yi Wu, which is known for a resilient, full character that is low in bitterness and astringency, with honeyed, floral sweetness and strong aging potential. Still young, Yi Wu sheng like this usually shows its character plainly. Here is "Mi Chen Yi Wu - Da Shu Long Zhu" (14ys Aged Yi Wu - Big Tree Dragon Ball) from XiaGuan, a 2026 sheng (raw) puerh in a 160g ball.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2026 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 160g tuo · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 160g tuo, tightly pressed.
- Liquor: In the cup the color runs from orange to yellow, clear and bright.
- Taste: From the first steep the taste is mellow. The middle steeps bring out aged notes with a touch of honey, with a sweet and balanced taste. It holds up well over many infusions.
- Mouthfeel & body: The body comes across as full-bodied, smooth and rounded.
- Aftertaste: It leaves a strong hui gan, plenty of salivation and a long finish.
- Best for: everyday drinking, and a comfortable place to start for novices.
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 tuo 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.
