Da Xue Shan 2004 No.880

A tea trading company commissioned the tea in 2004. When the company went out of business, the producer bought back the remaining stock. This is how we got the chance to buy this special batch. Its golden yellow buds create a flavour similar to Yunnan black tea. It is a very calm and balanced tea. One bud and one leaf were harvested together. It starts softly, but after repeated infusions, it settles our thoughts to a great extent, bringing focus and peace.

When it comes to maturing teas, there is a distinction between dry and wet storage. In wet storage, rapid changes occur to the tea; for example, teas aged in Hong Kong undergo such changes. We prefer to age our teas dry for a longer period of time, resulting in less noticeable changes during the first decade. This tea was aged in Kunming, at an altitude of 2,200 metres.
After around four to five years, the tea leaves gradually change from predominantly floral and green notes, followed by a few years of very subtle changes, before showing signs of maturation. After around ten years, the rounded, aged flavour develops.

The scent of the dry leaves tells a restrained story of pipe tobacco and quiet embers. Steaming the leaves reveals notes of greengage and kiwi-like fruitiness, reminiscent of Dian Hong-type red tea.

The first infusion (85°C for 10 seconds) is dominated by pipe tobacco, dried peach and greengage. The palate shows subtle resinousness and notes of pine and tobacco leaf, with a soft, smooth body and red tea character.

The second infusion (15 seconds) brings forth notes of theobromine and cocoa, leaving a pleasantly bitter and lingering finish.

With the third infusion, the tea acquires a deeper flavour, with notes of wood and cocoa. The body remains soft, but the energy (cha qi) is firm — quiet yet intense. The finish is peachy and warm. The fourth infusion is darker in tone, with notes of raisins and plums. The fifth infusion at 90°C is reminiscent of dried plums; the structure remains tight with a fruity character.

This is a ripe, relaxed puer with red tea accents, offering a rare balance and finesse.

Quantity: 6 gram per 150 ml.
Water temperature: 85-90ºC. From fresh, spring water or filtered water.
Brewing time: 10-20 seconds
Infusions: 10+