1996 Wan Ding "Golden Flowers" Ripe Pu-erh Tea Brick

Wan Ding is a small now defunct tea factory (that was) based in Mang Shi Town in Dehong Prefecture. It was one of the earliest tea factories in Dehong to engage in wet piling, and was also known for "Golden Flowers" ripe pu-erh teas. During the wet piling "golden flowers" spores were introduced to the wet pile and then during pressing the teas were pressed ultra tight into bricks where the golden flowers were able to briefly flourish before final curing. The result of their efforts and 20+ years of aging (10+ years in Dehong and then more recently in Kunming) has given this brick an incredibly unique taste and aroma. This is a very smooth tea with no real wet storage taste. Fruity, sweet, with a touch of smoke and malt makes this a very enjoyable experience. There is something totally unique and enjoyable that this tea has which I would attribute to the presence of golden flowers. We recommend using a good pick to break off in thin sheets so that the water will penetrate and awaken this sleeping beauty! Be sure to use 100C water and push it when needed (in the beginning). If you order a sample we cannot guarantee that you'll get a chunk with a visible quantity of golden flowers. Surprisingly the taste if quite consistent regardless of whether the golden flowers are visible or not. 500 Grams per brick 1996 pressing (no date stamp or markings on the wrapper) Wan Ding Tea Factory of Dehong