Sheng Pu'er 2018 "Bulan Mountains Ecological Environment" 250g brick

Sheng puer "Bulan eco-brick" 2018 (布朗生态茶砖): the strength and endurance of the Bulan Mountains

This sheng pu'er (生普洱, Shēng pǔ'ěr), pressed in 2018 into a 250-gram brick of Zhuan Cha (砖茶, Zhuānchá ) is called Bulan Shengtai Cha Zhuan (布朗生态茶砖, Bùlǎng shēngtài cházhuān), which translates as "Bulang Mountain Ecological Tea Brick." It comes from one of the most famous and powerful terroirs for pu'er—the Bulang Mountains (布朗, Bùlǎng) in Yunnan Province. The tea's age (approximately 6.5-7 years as of April 2025) has already begun to transform and soften the characteristic Bulang strength.

Origin: Power of the Bulan Mountains (布朗山, Bùlǎng)

The Bulang Mountains, located in Menghai County in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, are a legendary site for sheng pu'er tea production. Historically associated with the Bulang people, this region is known for its ancient tea gardens and the production of teas with a distinctive character:

• Strength and Cha Qi: Bulan Shengs are renowned for their strength, intensity of flavour and strong "Tea Qi" (energetic effect).
• Bitterness and sweetness: Young teas from Bulan have a noticeable, sometimes dominant bitterness (苦, kǔ), which, if the raw material is of high quality, quickly and intensely gives way to a sweet aftertaste (回甘, huigan).
• Aging Potential: Due to its strength and rich composition, Bulan shengs are considered among the best for long aging, during which bitterness is transformed into deep sweetness and complexity.

The concept of ecological tea (生态茶, Shēngtài chá )

The term shentai (生态, Shēngtài), meaning "ecology" or "ecological," in the tea's name indicates that the tea was grown in conditions close to natural ones. This signifies a rich composition:

• Tea from old trees growing in a mixed forest (agroecosystem).
• Tea from plantations that use organic or minimally invasive farming methods (no pesticides or chemical fertilizers).
• With an emphasis on the purity of raw materials and the environment, Shentai Cha is officially certified organic, positioning itself as a more natural and pure product.

Vintage 2018: The Beginning of Maturity

The age of 6-7 years is a significant milestone for Sheng Pu'er, especially from a powerful region like Bulan. By this time:

• The initial harshness, bitterness and astringency of young tea begin to soften significantly and integrate into the taste.
• Secondary aromas and flavors characteristic of aged sheng develop: notes of dried fruit, camphor, old wood, and honey.
• The tea becomes smoother, denser and more drinkable, entering the optimal drinking window, while still retaining enormous potential for further aging.

Brick format (Zhuan Cha) 250g

Zhuan Cha is a traditional form of pressing pu-erh, along with cakes (Bing Cha) and nests (Tuo Cha). A 250-gram brick is the standard size. A pu-erh knife or awl is required for brewing.

Taste and aroma

• Aroma: Complex, with notes of aging. Hints of dried fruit (prunes, dried apricots), camphor, aged wood, a light honey sweetness, and a hint of smokiness are present.
• Taste: Powerful, but significantly more balanced than in its youth. The characteristic Bulan bitterness is integrated, appearing more as a structure of flavor, and quickly transitions into a pronounced sweet aftertaste (huigan). The main notes are dark fruits, wood, camphor, and mineral and tobacco nuances.
• Infusion: Dense, rich, golden-orange color.
• Cha Qi: Has a strong, warming and concentrating effect.

Brewing recommendations

1. Preparation: Break off 5-7 grams of tea from the brick. Pressing it tightly may require some effort.
2. Rinsing: Be sure to rinse the tea 1-2 times with boiling water (95-100°C) to wash away dust and awaken the leaf.
3. Brewing: Use boiling water. Start with short infusions (10-15 seconds), gradually increasing the steeping time. The tea should withstand repeated steeping. A gaiwan or Yixing clay teapot is best.

Storage potential

Even though the tea has already reached maturity, its potential for further storage remains very high. Proper storage (in a dry, ventilated place, free from foreign odors) will allow it to develop further, becoming even smoother, sweeter, and more complex.

The 2018 Bulan Eco-Brick Sheng Pu'er is a solid, mature representative of the powerful Bulan terroir. Aging for about seven years has softened its youthful harshness, revealing a complex aroma and flavor with a characteristic interplay of bitterness and sweetness. The eco-friendly nature of the raw materials adds to its value. This tea is suitable for experienced sheng pu'er lovers who appreciate the strength, energy, and aging potential of teas from the Bulan Mountains, and who want to experience them at an interesting stage of maturation.