HOT ! Mountains, forests and terroir - Pu\'er tea Tastebox

Pu\'er tea identifies strongly with its area of origin. The soil composition, the climate, the latitude and altitude, the structure of the broader natural environment, the historical changes of the area are all elements of what we call \"terroir\" and they all contribute to shape the specific taste profile that the trees in those areas will give to the tea. Tea is also a product of the seasons, always ever-changing, and the ability of the farmers and tea masters lies in adapting their work accordingly. 

In this tastebox we explore the shades of taste and fragrances of pu\'er tea from mountain to mountain, village to village. You will taste 6 pu\'er teas with similar aging, to focus on the tasting shades of their terroir: four sheng (raw) and 2 shu (ripe) pu\'er teas.

2021 Youle Shengpu. Known since ancient times as one of the 6 great pu\'er mountains of Xishuangbanna, Youle tea heritage is preserved by Jinuo ethnic minority, whose people create pu\'er teas full of floral fragrances. Try also our 2019 Youle Shengpu to dive deeper into the taste of this historical terroir.

2021 Huazhuliangzi Shengpu. Harvested in spring 2021 from wild forest trees on Huazhuliangzi mountain which, at an altitude of 2430 meters above sea level, is the highest peak of Xishuangbanna prefecture. Try also 2019 and 2023 Huazhuliangzi Shengpu to taste a different season of the same terroir.

2022 Naka Shengpu. Naka village is situated in Mengsong district, Menghai county, Xishuangbanna prefecture. Its close proximity to Huazhuliangzi makes a comparison between the two areas even more interesting, as it clarifies the distinct flavor profiles of two seemingly similar teas. 

2018 Jingmai Shengpu. An aged Sheng Pu\'er tea from Jingmai mountain, located in the southwestern border of Yunnan province, in Lancang County, Pu\'er city. The wild tea forests in Jingmai were recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their historical significance and rich biodiversity, making Jingmai an exceptional terroir for tea.

2022 Jingmai Shupu. Dark leaves from the ancient trees of Jingmai mountain, hand-crafted and stone-pressed into cakes. This Shupu presents all the layers and nuances of an ancient forest and the soft bitterness that is typical of this terroir.  

2022 Laoman\'e Shupu. The expression of Shu Pu\'er technique on the unique terroir of Laoman\'e village creates a complex tea with lingering notes of medicinal herbs. Aromatic, meditative, and with different layers of bitterness and roundness. 

Each tea included in this tastebox is a 15 g (0.5 oz) sample from compressed cakes, for a total of 90 g (3 oz) of tea.