Harvest time: spring 2017
Origin: Bama, Nannuo Mountain, Xishuangbanna, Southwest Yunnan, China
Garden height: 1800 m
Cultivar: Yunnan big leaf
Picking Method: Manual
There are places on Earth whose spirit can be felt in every drop of rain, in the air that carries the smell of earth and, of course, in the leaves of ancient plants. Mount Nannuo in China’s Yunnan province is one such place.
Before you taste it, this tea already captivates with its appearance. The long, slender leaves from the wild forest have a dark brown color that reveals the years of maturation, and among them, delicate golden buds stand out, which bring a touch of freshness. Everything together seems harmonious and natural, as an announcement of the experience that follows — a combination of maturity and youth, strength and tenderness in one cup.
The first sip reveals what the leaves only hint at: pure mountain freshness, that cool, airy note reminiscent of the height and silence of the forest. and the freshness then merges with the warm, earthy tones of natural fermentation that develops over the years of aging, as the leaves slowly absorb the scents of their forest surroundings. The result is a harmony that is rarely found – gentle but deep, wild but refined.
The typical character of Nannuo Mountain is clearly felt in the floral-fruity shades that develop in the mouth. They are most reminiscent of dried apricots: sweet, soft, with a slight sour freshness that gives liveliness to every sip. Sweetness appears immediately, without waiting, and remains long after the golden liquid disappears from the tongue. And the intoxicating scent, almost hypnotic that lingers in the cup even after it has been drunk, seems to invite another infusion.
The beauty of Sheng (raw) Pu’erh lies in its ability to transform. This tea from 2017 already offers a complex and satisfying experience, ready to enchant you with its vital character. However, he is also a perfect candidate for further aging.
You can decide to enjoy it right away, or you can become a keeper of its time. Stored in the right conditions – away from heat, light and humidity – this tea will continue its journey. Each year that passes will add new shades to it, soften the edges and deepen the flavor, turning it into a personal treasure that tells the story of the time that has passed and the places where it has rested.
For lovers of natural, pure, untamed teas, this is a real gem of Nannuo Mountain.
For collectors – even better.
For everyone else – a chance to discover what it looks like when a wild forest turns into a cup of tea.
Preparation – kettle
- 4 g tea
- 200 ml of water
- temperature 95-100°C
- Overflows 4-5: (10s and pour out the water), 1 min, 1.5 min, 2 min, 2.5 min, 3 min
Preparation – gaiwan
- 5-6 g of tea
- 120 ml water
- temperature 95-100°C
- 10 pour-overs: (10s and pour out the water), the first pouring 15s, the next one extend for 5-10s
