Gushu shu pu-erh 2022 Mengsun gushu (from centuries-old trees from Mengsun)

Mengsong Gushu Shu Pu'er 2022: Ancient Trees and Basket Fermentation (勐宋茶山)

This tea represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and the bounty of nature, embodied in Shu Pu'er (熟普洱, Shú pǔ'ěr). This is the 2022 Gushu Shu Pu'er from Mengsong (勐宋茶山, Měngsòng Cháshān) – loose leaf Shu Pu'er, harvested from ancient tea trees over 500 years old in the renowned Mengsong region of Menghai County. The fermentation method – in baskets – is also noteworthy.

Origin: Mensun (勐宋, Měng sòng ) – land of ancient trees

Mengsong is a mountainous region in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is renowned for its ancient tea gardens and trees, which produce tea with a strong character and rich flavor. This tea is made from the Da Ye Zhong (大叶种, Dà Yè Zhǒng) variety, a Yunnanese large-leaf variety of Camellia sinensis var. assamica .

The key aspect of this tea is its use of Gushu (古树, Gǔ shù) tea trees, some of which are over 500 years old. This places it in the category of teas from exceptionally rare, ancient trees. This tea is prized for:

• Depth and Complexity: Older trees with extensive root systems produce more complex and mineral flavours.
• Smoothness and texture: Teas often have a smoother, denser, and more oily texture.
• Potential: Enormous potential for long-term storage and development.
• Energy (Cha Qi): Noticeable, often balanced effects.

Using such valuable raw materials to produce shu pu-erh is rare, as the fermentation process significantly alters the leaf's original profile. This speaks to the unique approach taken to creating this tea.

Special Fermentation: Shu Pu'er in Baskets

Unlike the standard "vodui" (渥堆, Wò duī) method, where tea is fermented in large, multi-ton piles, the basket fermentation method (筐装发酵, Kuāngzhuāng fāxiào) is used. Tea leaves are placed in special baskets, where they undergo accelerated fermentation in small batches. This method is believed to:

• It is better to control temperature and humidity during the fermentation process.
• To achieve more uniform fermentation within a small batch.
• To achieve a cleaner profile of shu pu'er, with fewer unwanted "wet pile" (dui wei - 堆味, Duī wèi) notes. This method is often used to process high-quality raw materials, such as gushu, to ensure the most gentle fermentation and preserve the leaf's potential.

Maocha (loose shu) format

The tea is presented as loose shu pu-erh tea. This is a less common form compared to pressed cakes or tocha. The loose format is convenient for immediate brewing without breaking the press and allows for a better examination of the leaf.

Vintage 2022: Youth and Potential

This tea was made from 2022-grown material, making it a relatively young shu pu-erh (approximately 2.5 years old as of April 2025). However, given the use of ancient trees and gentle fermentation in baskets, this tea already possesses a remarkable smoothness, depth, and purity of flavor, surpassing ordinary shu pu-erh of this age. Its potential for further aging is enormous.

Expected taste and aroma: depth and purity

The combination of all these factors – ancient Mengsun trees, basket fermentation – creates a rich and pure profile:

• Aroma: Deep, clean, with notes of aged wood, dark chocolate, nuts (walnut, almond), hints of dried dark fruits (prune, dates), and light minerality. The earthiness should be refined and not overpowering.
• Taste: Very smooth, dense, silky, and enveloping. Rich, multi-layered flavor with notes of dark chocolate, fine wood, nut butter, a slight sweetness of cane sugar, and a long, sweet finish. No bitterness or astringency.
• Infusion: Thick, dense, dark, but clean and transparent.

Brewing recommendations

1. Quantity: 5-8 grams of loose tea per 100-150 ml of water.
2. Water: Boiling water (95-100°C).
3. Rinsing: 1-2 quick rinses with boiling water are required.
4. Brewing: Steep for 10-15 seconds, gradually increasing the time. The quality of the tea leaves should be able to withstand multiple steepings.

Mengsun Gushu Shu Pu'er 2022 is a rare and prized tea, representing the pinnacle of quality in the world of shu pu'er. Using raw materials from ancient trees (over 500 years old) from the renowned Mengsun region, processed through delicate basket fermentation, it produces an incredibly smooth, deep, pure, and complex flavor. The loose leaf format allows for immediate appreciation of the tea's quality and immediate enjoyment. This is the choice for discerning connoisseurs seeking a benchmark shu pu'er with a distinct character and immense potential.