Yong de Lao Cha Tou

“Old Tea Nuggets”  老茶頭

Menghai 2011. Aged in Vermont since 2017.

Lao Cha Tou is a ripe Puer naturally compressed during the fermentation stage of processing. Tea leaf is piled and kept wet, which leads to some heat, and therefore, fermentation. The piles are stirred, but occasionally the heat and pressure cause some leaf to stick together in “nuggets”.

This Lao cha tou is full of good quality small nuggets, which give a lighter smoother side of ripe puer. If you like that strong cup, feel free to use a little more than you normally would for your ripe puer!

Each cup yields a reddish amber hue, with a smooth cup full of earthy goodness, and a touch of maple.