Description

The 2018 Ban Zhang Puer Sheng Tea (raw) is a product carefully selected by Tea Soul to offer a tasting experience and a deeper understanding of the complex category of Puer teas. The gardens from which the leaves of this Sheng originate are located in the Ban Zhang area, approximately 50 kilometres south of the city of Menghai. Numerous Puers with distinctive aromatic profiles come from this area in the far south of Yunnan, in Xishuangbanna Province, thanks to the characteristics of the territory and the presence of artisans experienced in tea processing. The infusion has a rich and complex aromatic profile, already showing some signs of maturation linked to the age of the product. The sweetness of this Puer does not feature particularly fruity notes, but rather recalls savoury nuances similar to those of rice and starchy foods. The vegetal profile is also complex, with a slight bitter note reminiscent of artichoke and a mineral character accompanied by a balsamic nuance in the aftertaste. Place of origin Ban Zhang, Menghai County - Yunnan, China Production After harvesting, the tea leaves are left to wither in the sun for a period that varies depending on the producer, before moving on to the “kill-green” stage, similar to that used in the production of green teas. In this case, the distinctive feature consists in subjecting the leaves to less intense heating than that normally used for green tea, preserving some of the enzymes that contribute to the evolution of the aromatic profile over time. Once heated, the leaves are left to rest overnight before completing the drying process in the sun. At this stage, the product is called maocha and is ready to be pressed if desired, thus obtaining a shape more suitable for transport and subsequent maturation. For pressing, the leaves are exposed for a few seconds to a jet of steam that softens their surface. They are then collected in a bag or stocking that determines their shape, usually disc-shaped. To stabilise the shape, the bag is left for several hours under a stone or mechanical press, while the leaves gradually lose the moisture absorbed during the steaming stage. Infusion method We strongly recommend infusing the 2018 Ban Zhang Puer Sheng Tea (raw) using the traditional Chinese method (Gong Fu Cha) with a Gaiwan holding approximately 100 ml. Following this preparation, 5.5 grams of leaves can be used for multiple infusions to fully appreciate all the tea’s flavours. After quickly rinsing the leaves with water at a temperature of 100°C, proceed with a first infusion of 10 seconds and then, keeping the water at the same temperature, continue using the product by adding more water and increasing the previous infusion time by approximately 5 seconds (10 - 15 - 20…). For a more traditional preparation according to the Western style, we recommend 3 grams of leaves (approximately 2 teaspoons) in a 150 ml cup with water at 100°C for an infusion time of one and a half minutes. For a better tasting experience, we suggest filtering the infusion as soon as the established steeping time has elapsed. The infusion times we suggest may, however, be slightly adjusted according to personal preference to obtain a more or less intense flavour. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.