Located just a few minutes down the road from Laobanzhang, Bakalong is considered one of the “5 Banzhang villages”, with arguably the closest profile to the main village due to similar terroir and microclimate. Unsurprisingly, it’s quite common for companies and factories to collect tea from Bakalong to pass off as tea from its more famous counterpart. Made from ancient tree material, this tea is very full, and very in your face. There is a nice bitterness that stops just short of excessive, then dissolves into a pleasant sweetness. The fragrance is excellent, the taste is strong, and the huigan rapid. Compared to other samples of similar price and quality in the area, this tea offers a superior feeling in the mouth, with a thick texture and less roughness. Upon visiting the land, our suspicions were confirmed, as this is due to the leaves coming from trees on a sunnier area of the garden. If you’re seeking a bold, powerful tea, then look no further. This tea also makes for an interesting comparison with something like our WMD Mansa. While both come are composed of high quality material from excellent land, they differ drastically in terms of region/terroir, with the Mansa delivering a calmer power. $0.95/gram Region: Bakalong, Xishuangbanna Prefecture Picking Period: April 5-9, 2025
