Autumn-harvest tea leaves from 200–300 year old tea trees growing in Jiu Tai Po village in Jinggu County (Pu’er/Simao), Yunnan. Jiu Tai Po, or “Nine Mesa Village,” is a small village of about 1,200 inhabitants, many of whom are involved in tea production. The surrounding hills are a mix of forest and tea gardens, often interplanted among larger trees, at an ideal elevation of around 1,500 meters. This autumn version of Jiu Tai Po offers a slightly rounder, more relaxed expression than the spring harvest while retaining the village’s distinctive character. It is sweet, thick, and pungent, with a grain-like profile, gentle bitterness, and lifted floral notes that call to mind a good IPA. The cha qi is noticeable but not overpowering, and the tea remains flavorful and engaging through 10+ infusions. Why it’s special Old-arbor material (200–300 yrs): Sturdy, energy-rich leaf delivers depth, texture, and stamina. Agro-forestry terroir: Tea gardens interspersed with taller trees at ~1,500 m concentrate aromatics while keeping the liquor clean. Autumn harvest character: Compared with spring, autumn leaf tends to brew a little rounder and more immediately approachable, with softer edges and a fuller sweetness. Classic sheng craft: Careful sun-withering, rolling, and sun-drying keep aromatics high and structure firm; stone pressing protects the sets and encourages elegant aging. Small production: 50 kg total of focused, village-specific character. Tasting notes Aroma: Wild honey, fresh grain/barley, meadow florals, citrus peel, light pine. Liquor: Pale gold to light amber; thick, rounded mouthfeel with a smooth glide. Flavor: Malted barley and sugarcane sweetness up front; floral-citrus lift with orange blossom and gentle hop-like zest; measured green bitterness for structure. Finish & feel: Long, cooling hui-gan, steady shengjin (mouthwatering return), light mineral snap; cha qi arrives as clear, focused, but relaxed energy. Origin & processing Village / Area: Jiu Tai Po (“Nine Mesa Village”), Jinggu County (Pu’er/Simao), Yunnan Elevation: ~1,500 m Trees: Old arbor, 200–300 years Season: Autumn 2025 harvest Craft: Hand-picked • sun-withered • hand-rolled • sun-dried • stone-pressed Brewing guide (Great water helps. Keep early steeps short to showcase sweetness and florals.) Gongfu (recommended) 6 g / 100 mL 98–100 °C (208–212 °F) Quick rinse, then 5s • 8s • 10s • 12s • 15s, adding gradually for 10+ infusions Tip: If bitterness peaks too fast, shorten by 1–2 seconds or drop to 95–96 °C Western 3–4 g / 300 mL (10 oz) 95–98 °C • 2:00–2:30 2–3 infusions, adding 20–30s each round Thermos style 1 gram per 100 ml Use 95C water and steep for 10-15 minutes Pairing & occasions Great with lightly salted almonds, plain crackers, or citrus-peel dark chocolate. A fun side-by-side with our Jiu Tai Po Bai Cha to explore terroir and processing, or with the spring version to compare seasonal expression. Aging notes Built to integrate and round out with age. Store in 50-65% RH and 70-90F, in an odor-free area, with minimal airflow. Expect honeyed grain, deeper fruit sweetness, and greater smoothness to emerge over 5–15 years . In Summary Name: 2025 “Jiu Tai Po” Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh (Sheng) Region: Jiu Tai Po, Jinggu (Pu’er/Simao), Yunnan Elevation: ~1,500 m Trees: 200–300 yrs Harvest: Autumn 2025 Process: Traditional sheng (raw) pu-erh, stone-pressed Net weight: 357 Grams Production: 50 kg total Wrapper design: Cath Van In short: A village-specific, old-arbor Jiu Tai Po autumn sheng — sweet, thick, and pleasantly grainy-floral, with tidy bitterness, long hui-gan, steady cha qi, and the structure to age beautifully. Previous Jiu Tai Po productions are listed here: 2014 Yunnan Sourcing Autumn Jiu Tai Po Village Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2019 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2020 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2022 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2023 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2023 Yunnan Sourcing "Autumn Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2024 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2024 Yunnan Sourcing "Autumn Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake 2025 Yunnan Sourcing "Jiu Tai Po Bai Cha" Old Arbor White Tea Cake This tea has been tested in a certified laboratory for 404 pesticides, and is within the EU MRL limits set for those 404 pesticide residues. For a full list of the 404 pesticides we tested for and more information about MRL testing and the EU Food and Safety commission click on this link .
