Shu Puer "Wu Jin Gong Bing" (乌金贡饼) 2020 by Zhoushi: the shine of "Black Gold"
Wu Jin Gong Bing (乌金贡饼, Wūjīn gòng bǐng) translates as "Black Gold Tax (or Palace) Cake" - this name itself speaks of the high quality and premium nature of the tea. This shu pu-erh (熟普洱, Shú pǔ'ěr) was produced in 2020 by the Zhoushi factory (周氏, Zhōu shì) from raw materials collected in the Yunnan province and pressed into a classic 357-gram Bing Cha (饼茶, Bǐng chá) cake. The Zhoushi family brand presents this product, positioning it as a high-quality shu pu-erh.
Name and concept: "Black gold" and "Tax pancake"
The name "Wu Jin Gong Bing" contains several important layers of meaning:
- Gong Bing (贡饼, Gòng bǐng ): Literally "tax cake" or "palace cake". Historically, the term "Gong Cha" (贡茶, Gòng chá) referred to tea supplied to the imperial court as tribute. In the modern context, "Gong Bing" or "Gong Ting" (宫廷 - palace) indicates the use of high-quality raw materials - tender, young leaves and a large number of golden tea buds (金芽 - jīn yá). Such tea is distinguished by its special softness, smoothness, sweetness and purity of taste.
- Wu Jin (乌金, Wūjīn ): Translated as "black gold". "Wu" (乌) refers to the deep, dark color of the tea itself (leaves and infusion), characteristic of shu pu'er. "Jin" (金 - gold) emphasizes the value of the product and hints at the presence of golden buds in the raw material, which give the tea not only taste, but also a beautiful appearance.
Vintage 2020: the balance of youth and the beginning of maturity
The 2020 tea (approximately 4.5 years old) is at an interesting stage. It is aged enough to get rid of any possible harsh notes of fresh fermentation ("dui wei"), but still retains sufficient freshness and brightness of flavor. This age is often considered a good compromise for shu pu-erh - it is already pleasant to drink, but also has potential for further development.
Appearance
The classic 357-gram cake is a convenient and traditional form for storing and gradually drinking pu-erh. The surface of the cake looks attractive: a mixture of dark brown and black fermented leaves with a noticeable sprinkling of golden-red buds (Jin Ya). The pressing is moderate, allowing you to examine the raw material.
Taste and aroma: smooth and sweet
- Aroma: Clean, sweet, warm. Notes of dark chocolate, dates, caramel, fudge, light nutty or woody (sandalwood, old wood) tones.
- Taste: Exceptionally smooth, soft, velvety, dense. Sweetness dominates – chocolate, date, caramel. Woody notes are noble and well integrated. Bitterness or astringency are practically absent.
- Infusion: Thick, clear, rich chestnut color.
- Aftertaste: Long, sweet, warming and comfortable.
Brewing recommendations
For shu puerh from delicate raw materials:
- Preparation: Carefully chip off 5-7 grams of tea.
- Water: Boiling water (95-100°C).
- Rinsing: 1-2 quick rinses to clean and awaken the leaf.
- Brewing: By steeping. Start with short exposures (10-15 seconds), as raw materials with buds can give off flavor faster. Gradually increase the time. The tea can withstand many steeps.
The 2020 Wu Jin Gong Bing shu puer from the Zhoushi factory is positioned as a premium product, which is reflected in its name. It is an exceptionally smooth, soft, sweet and pure shu puer, made from high-quality raw materials with an abundance of golden buds. Its moderate age makes it ready to drink now, offering a rich chocolate-date profile and velvety texture. It is an excellent choice for those looking for refined, comfortable and high-quality shu.
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Name in Chinese
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乌金贡饼 |
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Pinyin
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Wūjīn gong bǐng |
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Country
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China |
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Provinces
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Yunnan (云南) |
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Manufacturer
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Чжоуши (周氏) |
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Raw material production date
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2020 |
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Year of pressing
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2020 |
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Pressing form
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Bing Cha (Cake Tea) |
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