Shu Pu Erh Lao Cha Tou Tea Monkeys, AAA, 2026

Aged tea heads pressed into a 250-gram brick. It is crafted from select raw material harvested in Menghai in 2022.

The dry tea has a calm, delicate aroma with notes of damp wood, nuts, and spices.

The infusion is thick and dense, with an amber-brown hue. It carries a sweet, woody, and nutty fragrance. The taste is rich, balanced, and slightly sweet, featuring hints of spices, nuts, dark chocolate, and dates. The finish is long, velvety, and enveloping.

An ideal tea for everyday brewing. It withstands many steepings, though it reveals its best qualities when boiled over an open flame or steeped in a thermos. A classic, mellow Shu Pu- Erh, perfect for those who appreciate a balanced, deep-flavored tea.

It provides a pleasant warming effect, offers a gentle boost, and restores energy.

How to brew

Brewing in a gaiwan or clay teapot

• Water: 90-95°C
• Amount of tea: 7-10 g per 120-150 ml

Place the tea in a well-warmed gaiwan or teapot and let it warm up for 45-60 seconds.

First infusion: 10 seconds

Subsequent infusions: gradually increase the steeping time by 10+ seconds

Steeping in a thermos

• Water: 85-90°C
• Amount of tea: 5 g per 400-500 ml of water

Use slightly less than you'd like to avoid over-steeping the tea, especially if you plan to keep it in the thermos for several hours.

Brewing over a stove

• Amount of tea: 10-15 g per 800-1000 ml of water

Bring the water to a near boil and turn off the heat. Let it steep for a while to obtain a soft, pleasant infusion.