{"product_id":"2012-xiaguan-ban-zhang-qiao-mu-lao-shu-banzhang-arbor-old-tree-cake-357g-puerh-raw-tea","title":"2012 XiaGuan \"Ban Zhang Qiao Mu Lao Shu\" (Banzhang Arbor Old Tree) Cake 357g Puerh Raw Tea Sheng Cha","description":"\u003cp\u003eIts old-tree (gu shu) leaf was grown in Ban Zhang in the Bu Lang range, a region associated with a strong, bitter-forward character with a quick, powerful hui gan. Old-tree (gu shu) leaf is what sets the \"Ban Zhang Qiao Mu 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. From 2012, XiaGuan \"Ban Zhang Qiao Mu Lao Shu\" (Ban Zhang Arbor Old Tree): sheng (raw) puerh pressed into a 357g cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2012 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 357g cake · XiaGuan Tea Factory\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompression \u0026amp; dry leaf:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a tightly pressed 357g cake. Look for visible buds in the dry leaf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e It brews a clear, bright, golden liquor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e It opens mellow and full-flavored, with only a light bitterness, balanced by a natural sweetness. The middle steeps bring out floral and earthy notes, with a sweet taste. It rewards paying attention across a longer session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel \u0026amp; body:\u003c\/strong\u003e Expect a full-bodied, rounded, mellow mouthfeel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAftertaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swallow and you notice a lingering sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e improving your tea experience. Take your time with it — a good choice once you are no longer a first-time puerh drinker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100°C (212°F), fully boiling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePreheat the vessel; add around 5g per 100ml.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne rinse to open the leaves, then a covered rest of about 10 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteep 10–15 seconds at first, adding ~5 seconds per round.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways pour out completely into a fairness cup before drinking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep steeping — sheng rewards patience with many rounds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on Appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot every cake shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBamboo powder (zhu fen):\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTea oil spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e yellowish spots may appear and can come from natural tea oils. They are not a flaw.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorn wrapper:\u003c\/strong\u003e small tears or holes in the cotton paper may happen during storage and handling. The tea inside is unaffected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"KingTea","offers":[{"title":"Sample 7g","offer_id":31300723310695,"sku":"KTM-31300723310695","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g","offer_id":43705709822182,"sku":"KTM-43705709822182","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":43705709887718,"sku":"KTM-43705709887718","price":55.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":43705709986022,"sku":"KTM-43705709986022","price":111.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Individual Cake","offer_id":31300723343463,"sku":"KTM-31300723343463","price":399.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stack (7pcs)","offer_id":31300723376231,"sku":"KTM-31300723376231","price":2499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/7883\/7863\/products\/2012-xiaguan-ban-zhang-qiao-mu-lao-shu-banzhang-arbor-old-tree-cake-357g-puerh-raw-tea-she.jpg?v=1792215616","url":"https:\/\/kingteamall.com\/products\/2012-xiaguan-ban-zhang-qiao-mu-lao-shu-banzhang-arbor-old-tree-cake-357g-puerh-raw-tea","provider":"King Tea Mall","version":"1.0","type":"link"}