Menghai Shengtai 2011 Shou Puerh - Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

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

Sheng vs Shou
Sheng 生 Puerh 普洱 is the original style of Puerh production, literally meaning Raw or Alive also referred to as unripe. Sheng Puerh, production allows aging to happen naturally to pressed cakes typically 10-15 years+, where Shou 熟 (lit. ‘cooked’ also known as ‘ripe’) puerh 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 Yunnan 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 Puerh 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