2003 CNNP "Small Green Mark Iron Cake" Raw Pu-er tea

A CNNP branded production pressed into an iron cake. The cake is a blend of materials from Menghai area, but the exact recipe or blend is not known. The tea was stored in Shanghai from 2003 until 2016. 13 years in relatively hot and humid Shanghai has given this cake a nice aged feeling despite being an iron cake). The cake has loosened quite a bit and isn’t too difficult to pry apart for brewing.

The tea itself is very clean and crisp tasting. No mustiness or mold taste. This is something between wet and dry storage while still having and aged feel to it. The first impression is sweetness and what is called “梅子韵味” or quite literally plum essence taste and aroma. It’s sour, sweet, fruity and pungent all at the same time. I recommend brewing with about 4 to 5 grams per 100ml device and don’t be afraid to push it a little bit at first with longer infusion times. Although there is some astringency in this tea it’s rarely overpowering and it just serves to create another polarity to counter the sweet and fruity side of this wonderful tea!