Hua Zhu Liang Zi Raw Pu-erh Cake Tea

	Cup Method		Chinese Gongfu Method
	Teacup: 12oz / 355ml		Gaiwan: 3.8oz / 110ml
	203℉ / 95℃		203℉ / 95℃
	5g		8g
	Brewing time: 3 – 5 mins		10 steeps: rinse, 15s 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 70s, 90s, 120s
			Rinse time is 5 seconds

In the western part of Xishuangbanna Prefecture in Yunnan Province, there lies a hidden gem known as the “Peak of Xishuangbanna” – Hua Zhu Liang Zi. This area is not only situated at an impressive altitude of about 2400 meters but also serves as a natural treasure trove of ancient tea trees. Due to its relatively isolated transportation and scarce human activity, the conditions are uniquely favorable for the growth of these ancient tea trees.

Clear streams meander through the forest, providing millennia of nourishment to this pristine wilderness.

The ancient tea trees here have not been artificially dwarfed; most of them stand over 3 meters tall. They grow freely, embraced by the cool mountain breezes and shrouded in mist, their thick trunks exuding a robustness characteristic of high-altitude environments. Moss, lichens, and orchids cling to the branches of the tea trees, adding a wild charm to the landscape.

Hua Zhu Liang Zi is located in Mengsong Township, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and is named for its abundance of wild smooth bamboo (滑竹). It is also known as the “Ridge of Xishuangbanna” and the “Peak of Xishuangbanna.” The ancient tree tea of Hua Zhu Liang Zi encompasses tea gardens from four villages in Baotang (保塘), three in Banglong (蚌龙), and one in Bamao (坝檬), totaling eight villages. The area is enveloped in clouds and mist throughout the year and receives plentiful rainfall, characteristic of a subtropical climate. The extended hours of sunlight here ensure that the tea leaves are thick, tender, and exceptionally sweet, with a rich internal quality.

This pu-erh tea is made from the large-leaf subspecies of the Yunnan large-leaf. It propagates sexually and takes the form of an arbour tree, meaning that it can grow to over six meters tall. 1984, the Fengqing large-leaf species was certified by the Chinese government as a national grade. It contains an abundance of tea polyphenols (30.2%) and catechins (13.4%), as well as 2.9% amino acids and 3.2% caffeine.