Why This Tea Was Curated
This 2022 "Xian" Ripe Pu'er is curated to capture the iconic "Bulang Weight" in a balanced, approachable format. Sourced from Bulang Mountain, it offers a deep, bittersweet cocoa profile and a massive, syrupy body.
Harvested in Autumn for clarity and sweetness, it's a clean, comforting daily indulgence after 4 years of aging, ideal for those seeking a premium Bulang experience without overwhelming intensity.
✔The Bulang "Stout" Experience: Offers a heavy, creamy mouthfeel and dark, malty complexity similar to a fine craft stout, lingering on the palate.
✔Bittersweet Chocolate Profile: Authentic Bulang material with high-toned cocoa notes, aged 4 years for a pure dark chocolate and roasted nut finish.
✔Autumn Purity: Autumn harvest provides fluid sweetness that balances Bulang’s natural strength, ensuring rich yet approachable flavor.
Flavor Profile of Xian Ripe Pu'er
Aroma: Clean, malty, with cocoa notes
Taste: Bittersweet cocoa, robust, smooth
Mouthfeel: Heavy, creamy, syrupy body
Flavor Ratings
5 indicates the strongest intensity of that characteristic, not overall quality.
| Sweetness | 3 / 5 (5 = sweetest) with returning sweetness |
|---|---|
| Bitterness | 3 / 5 (5 = most bitter) |
| Astringency | 0 / 5 (5 = most astringent) |
| Body / Thickness | 5 / 5 (5 = thickest body) |
| Roast Level | 0 / 5 (5 = darkest roast) |
| Brewing Ease | 2 / 5 (5 = easiest to brew) |
✔ Ideal for those who love heavy-bodied, creamy teas and seek the classic "Dark Chocolate" profile of premium Bulang material, suitable for sensitive stomachs.
✘Those who prefer heavily roasted flavors or overly earthy, rustic ripe Pu’er profiles.
How to Brew Xian Ripe Pu'er
Mug Brewing
For best results, we recommend gongfu-style brewing with proper tea–water separation. Without a separation tool, fine leaf particles and tea sediment may enter the cup, affecting the clarity of the liquor and the overall drinking experience.
Gongfu Brewing
Tea-to-Water: 7 g / 120 ml (4 fl oz)
Water Temp: 100°C (212°F)
Steep Time: 1st steep: 10s · then 5–8s ↑ each infusion
Rinse with boiling water before brewing. Longer steeping brings out deeper aged character and sweetness.
Xian Ripe Pu'er Details & Specifications
| Tea Category | Ripe Pu'er Tea |
|---|---|
| Plucking Standard | One bud with two leaves |
| Cultivar | Yunnan large-leaf tea bush species |
| Season | Autumn Tea 2022 |
| Oxidation Level | Post-fermented (wet pile fermentation) |
| Aroma | Clean, malty, with cocoa notes |
| Liquor Color | Dark red |
| Mouthfeel | Heavy, creamy, syrupy body |
| Shelf Life | Long-term aging potential |
| Caffeine | Moderate (20% of coffee) |
| Storage | Store sealed, dry, away from light and strong odors. For aging: keep it sealed and dry at stable room temperature. |
| Origin | Bulang Mountain, Menghai, Yunnan Province, China |
Origin & Terroir of Xian Ripe Pu'er
Origin & Terroir: The Heavyweight of Bulang
Tea Origin (Bulang Mountain, Menghai, Yunnan) Bulang Mountain is perhaps the most famous Pu'er origin in Menghai, characterized by its high altitude and iron-rich red soil. These conditions produce leaves with high tannin and mineral content, which results in an incredibly dense and structured ripe Pu'er.
Our "Xian" selection focuses on Autumn Material (Gu Hua). While spring Bulang is often used for high-end raw Pu'er, the autumn harvest is the "secret weapon" for ripe Pu'er—it offers a cleaner, more fragrant fermentation that highlights the natural sweetness of the cultivar. After 4 years of professional dry-aging, this 357g cake has become a benchmark for what a clean, robust, and malty Bulang ripe Pu'er should be.
Xian Ripe Pu'er Tea Cake FAQs
Q1. Does Xian Ripe Pu'er contain caffeine?
Yes, Xian Ripe Pu'er contains moderate caffeine levels, typical for fermented Pu'er teas, providing a gentle energy boost without excessive stimulation.
Q2. How should I store Xian Ripe Pu'er for long-term aging?
Store Xian Ripe Pu'er in a dry, cool place away from strong odors, in a breathable container to allow proper aging and maintain its complex flavors.
Q3. Can I brew Xian Ripe Pu'er without a gaiwan?
Yes. Mug brewing is possible but not ideal.For best results, Gongfu brewing is strongly recommended for full body and clarity.
Q4. What makes Xian Ripe Pu'er's autumn harvest special?
Autumn harvest compared to spring harvest offers a more concentrated and fuller-bodied flavor, with deeper sweetness and better balance, while maintaining Bulang’s structural strength in a smoother form.
Q5. Is Xian Ripe Pu'er suitable for beginners?
Yes, Xian Ripe Pu'er is approachable for beginners due to its balanced bittersweet cocoa profile and forgiving brewing, though it's best for those who enjoy full-bodied teas.
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