Menghai Shengtai Tuocha - Shou Pu erh 2011 - Xishuangbanna

勐海 生态 沱茶 熟普洱茶 (Měng hǎi shēngtài tuóchá shú pǔ'ěr chá) Ecologically Ripe Pu'er Tea from Menghai Factory compressed into bowl shapes

Sheng 生 Pu erh 普洱省 is the original style of Pu erh production, literally meaning Raw or Alive also referred to as unripe. Sheng Pu erh, production allows aging to happen naturally to pressed cakes typically 10-15 years+, where Shou 熟 (lit. ‘cooked’ also known as ‘ripe’ ) pu erh speeds the process by intentional fermentation, or “rippening” of the tea leaves, like in aging cheese. This tea is made from the Da Ye 大叶 cultivar (lit. big leaf) a large-leaf bush from used for pu erh cultivation. 

This tea originates from the Menghai Tea Factory 勐海茶叶厂, from Menghai county of Xishuangbanna from Sheng Tai 生态 (ecological) plantations. This Shou Pu er was compressed in the traditional form of the Tuo Cha 沱茶 (bird’s nest or tea bowl shape) Its liquor, opaque and deep, has a dense and silky texture, enhanced with classic notes of damp undergrowth and roots (licorice). Subtle aerial nuances of incense and oat flowers confer lightness and softness to well-rooted tea