Its old-tree (gu shu) leaf was grown in Bing Dao on the western slope of Meng Ku, Lin Cang, a region associated with clean, rock-sugar sweetness, minimal bitterness and a cool, lingering feel in the throat. The "Bing Dao" uses old-tree (gu shu) leaf, which usually gives more body and a longer finish than plantation leaf. As a young tea, it can be expected to taste fresh and energetic. From LiMing — a 2022 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Bing Dao - Lao Zhai - Gu Qiao Mu line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2022 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 100g cake · LiMing Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: This tea is sold as a 100g cake. Look for well-formed threads in the dry leaf.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, bright liquor, golden yellow, as is usual for young sheng.
- Taste: From the first steep the taste is fresh. The middle steeps bring out floral notes, with a sweet and balanced taste. There is more to notice as you keep brewing.
- Mouthfeel & body: It sits fairly light on the palate, with a clean, active texture.
- Aftertaste: The aftertaste brings a quick, clear hui gan and a long finish.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a first-time puerh drinker.
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.
