Gushu
Mengku Sheng Pu'er Set
For eager explorers of mild terroirs.
This curated set of maocha teas is a treasure trove for sheng pu’er enthusiasts eager to delve into the distinctive terroirs of Mengku. Imagine Mengku as a triangle: the western hillside villages line the left, the eastern hillside—also known as Dong Banshan—lines the right, and the renowned Bingdao micro-region forms the northern tip.
Representing the renowned ‘five Bingdao villages’ two contrasting teas: a sweet, vegetal qiaomu from Nuowu and a complex gushu from Dijie, each showcasing unique facets of this famous area. From the western hillside, there’s a gushu from Xiaohusai, fruity with a touch of pleasant sourness, while the eastern hillside is captured by a mild, elegant gushu from Banuo.
Furthermore, the Banuo gushu is a Teng Tiao Cha, or “rattan tea,” a traditional style where only the apical buds are allowed to flourish, creating long, vine-like branches and dense, thicket-like groves. This unique pruning method, combined with close planting, shapes a tea that embodies the layered character of this distinctive terroir, often praised for possessing the elusive quality of hou yun ("throat rhyme").
Written by Dominik
- ORIGIN: Nuowu, Xiaohusai, Banuo and Dijie, in Shuangjiang, Lincang, Yunnan, China
- CULTIVAR: Da ye zhong
- HARVEST TIME: Spring 2024
- TASTE: Rice milk, lemongrass, honeydew melon
- Quantity: 6g / 500ml
- Water temperature: 100°C
- Infusion time: 5 min
- Quantity: 5g / 100ml
- Water temperature: 100°C
- Several short infusions
For best results in gongfu cha, brew in the traditional gaiwan or in a Yixing teapot.