Harvest : April 2025
Terroir : Xi Niu Tang Municipality, Pasha Mountain, Menghai, Yunnan
Altitude : 1800-2000 m
Flavor : Citrus peel, camphor, wild honey with a long-lasting Hui Gan
Mouthfeel : oily and full-bodied
While searching for a new Tong Qing He Sheng Pu Erh, which was so popular with our tea connoisseurs, we discovered this Pasha Pu Erh this year. This exceptional Sheng Pu Erh comes from Xi Niu Tang, a prized micro-region in the Pasha Mountain area of Menghai, Yunnan.
Terroir and origin
At an altitude of 1,800–2,000 meters, the tea trees grow in misty forests on nutrient-rich, red clay soils—a classic example of high-altitude terroir, which lends the leaves their vibrant energy and depth of flavor. The tea is made from Camellia sinensis var. assamica, specifically from old, semi-wild trees between 100 and 300 years old. These deep-rooted trees draw minerals from the subsoil, resulting in leaves with remarkable inner strength, known as cha qi.
Taste profile and mouthfeel
On the palate, this Sheng Pu Erh presents a powerful, present bitterness that quickly transitions into complex layers of resinous sweetness, notes of citrus peel, camphor, and wild honey, as well as a cooling, minty freshness. The texture is dense, oily, and full-bodied, with a lingering Hui Gan (returning sweetness) that unfolds pleasantly in the throat. The brew is clear and bright golden in color—a sign of its youth and purity.
Stylistic proximity to the “King of Pu Erh”
Particularly noteworthy is the stylistic similarity to Lao Ban Zhang, the so-called "King of Pu Erh." Like LBZ, this tea possesses a powerful cha qi, an impressive presence, and remarkable depth. While somewhat more restrained in its bitterness, Xi Niu Tang offers a refined, more contemplative version of the LBZ experience—less ostentatious, but equally profound and structured, often with a more elegant flavor profile.
Storage potential and conclusion
A tea with great storage potential, yet already delightful in its youth – a rare treasure for serious collectors and lovers of powerful Sheng Pu Erh with noble origins.
