Gushu shu pu-erh 2022 Mengsun, Bulan shan gushu (a blend of centuries-old trees from the Mengsun and Bulan mountains)

Gushu shu pu-erh 2022 (Mengsun and Bulan): a blend of ancient trees in loose leaf format

This Shu Pu'er (熟普洱, Shú pǔ'ěr) is something special – it is a blend of raw materials collected in 2022 from ancient tea trees. Gushu (古树, Gǔ shù) is over 500 years old, grown in two legendary tea regions of Menghai County: Mengsong (勐宋, měngsòng) and Bulang Shan (布朗山, bùlǎng shān). The tea is offered loose and produced using a delicate basket fermentation method.

Origin: Titan Alliance – Mengsun and Bulan Shan

Menghai County in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, is the heart of the pu'er world, and the Mengsong and Bulang Mountains are its jewels, famous for their old and ancient Da Ye Zhong (大叶种, Dà Yè Zhǒng) tea trees.

• Mengsun (勐宋, měngsòng) : Known for teas with a strong character, possessing a distinct aroma (floral-honey even in shu) and a deep, enveloping sweetness.
• Bulang Shan (布朗山, bùlǎng shān): Famous for producing powerful, full-bodied pu-erhs with intense flavors, often with rich woody, camphorous, or earthy notes and strong Cha Qi.

Blending ancient trees (over 500 years old) from both of these renowned regions is an ambitious undertaking, aiming to achieve a unique balance and complexity, fusing the aromatics and sweetness of Mengsong with the power and depth of Bulan Shan.

Fermentation in baskets and loose format

To process this valuable raw material, the basket fermentation method (筐装发酵 - Kuāngzhuāng fāxiào) was chosen. Unlike fermentation in large industrial piles, this method involves processing the tea in smaller batches in special baskets. This is believed to allow for better process control, more uniform fermentation, and a cleaner, more delicate Shu Pu'er profile with minimal unwanted "wet pile" (dui wei) notes.

Presentation of this loose shu puerh This also emphasizes its unique character. This allows you to immediately assess the quality of the leaf and begin brewing without having to break it apart.

The 2022 harvest is a relatively young shu pu-erh (approximately 2.5 years old). However, given the exceptional quality of the raw materials (ancient trees from two top regions) and the gentle fermentation method, it already possesses impressive smoothness, purity, and complexity of flavor, significantly surpassing standard shu pu-erhs of this age. This tea has enormous potential for further aging.

Taste and aroma: balance and depth

The basket-fermented blend of Mengsun and Bulan Gushu creates a very interesting and multifaceted profile:

• Aroma: Deep, pure, complex. A combination of the sweet, fruity, honeyed notes of Mansoon with the more substantial woody, nutty, and camphorous tones of Bulan. Aromas of dark chocolate and aged wood are present.
• Taste: Exceptionally smooth, dense, buttery, and multilayered. It has a harmonious balance between sweetness, depth, and strength. The palate intertwines notes of dark chocolate, caramel, nuts, and fine wood, with subtle fruity or mineral nuances from both terroirs.
• Infusion: Thick, rich, dark ruby cognac color, clear.
• Finish: Long, enveloping, warming, sweet and complex.

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: Mandatory 1-2 quick rinses with boiling water.
4. Brewing: Steeping, starting with 10-15 seconds. Thanks to the quality of the raw materials, the tea can withstand numerous steepings, revealing new facets with each new infusion.

The 2022 Gushu Shu Pu'er, blended from the ancient Mengsong and Bulang Shan trees and fermented in baskets , is a rare and premium representative of the world of shu pu'er. It is created for connoisseurs seeking maximum depth, smoothness, purity, and complexity of flavor. The combination of two legendary terroirs, exceptional raw materials, and delicate processing creates an unforgettable experience.