Sheng Pu'er 2021 "Nanben Laozhai Dashu" (Large Trees from Nanben Laozhai)

Nanben Laozhai Dashu Sheng Pu'er 2024: The Freshness of Big Trees from Master Hei Ke

Sheng pu'er The 2024 harvest, presented in its original, loose-leaf maocha form. The name "Nanben Laozhai Dashu" (南本老寨大树, Nán běn lǎo zhài dà shù) refers to its origins—the ancient village of Nanben and the tea leaves from large tea trees. The creator of this batch of tea is listed as Master Hei Ke (黑克, Hēi kè).

Nanben Laozhai is a village located in the renowned Mengku (勐库, Měng kù) tea region of Lincang (临沧, Lín cāng) Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Mengku is renowned for producing high-quality sheng pu-erh teas from mature trees. These teas are often distinguished by their strong character, vibrant aroma, and pronounced sweet aftertaste (huigan).

The word "Dashu" (大树, Dà shù) means "Big Trees," emphasizing that the tea was harvested not from young plantation bushes, but from mature, established trees. Such tea is prized for its greater depth of flavor, complexity, greater ability to transform during aging, and a pronounced "Tea Qi" (the sense of tea's energy).

The inclusion of the name of Master Hei Ke, responsible for processing this batch of tea, adds individuality to the product and indicates a potentially artisanal, small-scale approach to production, as opposed to mass-produced factory tea.

Sheng Pu'er Maocha 2024 – the embodiment of spring

This tea is maocha—loose, sun-dried sheng pu'er that has not yet been pressed into cakes, bricks, or other forms. This is the earliest stage of pu'er preparation.

Since the harvest was in 2024, this is currently (April 2025) a very young Sheng Pu'er, about a year old. Characteristics of this tea:

• Brightness and freshness: Young sheng has a very lively, bright aroma and taste.
• Bitterness/Astringency: Fresh sheng made from strong Dashu material from Mengku exhibits bitterness and astringency in the first steepings.
• Sweetness (Huigan): The key feature of a quality sheng is a quick return of sweetness and a refreshing aftertaste after the initial bitterness.
• Aging Potential: Sheng pu-erh is designed for aging. With age, the bitterness and astringency will soften, and the flavor will become deeper and more complex.

Taste and aroma

• Aroma: Intense, vibrant, with floral (orchid, wildflower), fruity (apricot, peach), and honey notes. Slightly herbaceous.
• Taste: Dynamic. Pronounced bitterness and astringency at the beginning, which quickly gives way to intense sweetness (huigan). The texture of the infusion is dense, slightly oily. Notes of stone fruit, honey, and meadow flowers are present.
• Cha Qi: Tea from large trees in Mengku often has a strong "Tea Qi" felt as alertness, clarity of mind, and warmth.

Format: loose sheng (maocha)

The loose form is ideal for those who want:

• Try sheng pu-erh in its freshest form.
• Assess the quality of raw materials before possible pressing or long-term storage.
• Control the aging process of tea at home.

Brewing recommendations

Brewing young, powerful sheng pu-erh requires attention:

• Water: Use slightly cooled water, 85-95°C. Water that is too hot may increase the bitterness.
• Utensils: A gaiwan is best for controlling the process.
• Rinsing: Do a quick rinse (5 seconds) to remove dust and wake up the leaf.
• Steeping: Start with VERY short steeps—literally 5-10 seconds! Gradually increase the steeping time by 5-10 seconds with each subsequent steep. This is the key to controlling bitterness and astringency.
• Quantity: Start with a moderate amount of tea (4-5 grams per 100-120 ml).

Storage and potential

Nanben Laozhai Dashu Sheng Pu'er Tea from 2024 has excellent potential for aging for many years (even decades). It can be stored loose or pressed. Storage should be clean, dry, ventilated, free from foreign odors and direct light. Over time, the tea will transform, becoming softer, sweeter, and more complex.

Nanben Laozhai Dashu 2024 Sheng Pu'er from Master Hei Ke offers an opportunity to touch the very heart of the Mengku terroir. This vibrant, powerful, and lively tea is perfect for enthusiasts willing to embrace its youthful boldness (bitterness and astringency) for the subsequent sweetness and energy, or for those seeking high-quality raw materials for long-term aging. This is a window into the world of genuine, unfermented pu'er from large trees.