2025 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Secret Garden" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Entirely first-flush Spring 2025 material from a high, remote site in the Ai Lao range (Jingdong County). The “Secret Garden” grove sits around ~2,100 m, just below one of Ai Lao’s upper ridges, among the highest-altitude pu-erh gardens in Yunnan. Trees here are naturally vigorous and, at this elevation, often show a hybrid character of small- and large-leaf types ( sinensis × assamica ), producing thick, burly leaves with lots of downy buds. Gardens remain pristine thanks to limited access and few roads. Stone-pressed in small batches near Kunming; a low-temperature bake sets and protects the cakes after compression. 250 g per cake, bundled 7 cakes per bamboo-leaf tong. Total production 40 kg. Wrapper illustration by Fabio Cesaratto. Why it’s special High mountain, remote terroir: Clean air, big day–night swings at ~2,100 m concentrate aroma, sweetness, and structure. Old-arbor material: Thick, burly leaf with many hairy buds; fuller texture and stamina in the cup. Signature Ai Lao profile: Orchid-leaning fragrance, honey/grass accents, and a strong, mouth-filling liquor that stays lively for many steeps. Built to integrate and round out with age: Firm structure + clean processing make this an excellent ager. Tasting notes (2025) Aroma: Orchid and wildflower honey over fresh meadow grass; subtle mountain herb. Liquor: Pale gold → light apricot; thick, soupy texture with bright clarity. Flavor: Honeyed sweetness and gentle cane with a clean green bite; soft citrus lift; fuller mid-palate than neighboring Wu Liang. Finish & feel: Long hui-gan; persistent shengjin (mouthwatering return); poised, steady cha qi. What prior years suggest (for reference) Past-year drinkers commonly reported honeyed sweetness, mellow fruit, expanding mouthfeel, and a lingering, candy-like aftertaste (2018/2019 Autumn reviews); others noted “dark florals,” occasional grape-like tones, thick body, and even flashes of cotton-candy sweetness (2023). Expect vintage nuance, but the core is sweet, full, and persistent. Origin & processing Range / County: Ai Lao Mountains, Jingdong (borders Chuxiong) Garden: Undisclosed “Secret Garden” grove at ~2,100 m (old-arbor trees; mixed small/large-leaf character at altitude) Season: First flush – Spring 2025 Craft: Hand-picked • sun-withered • rolled • sun-dried • stone-pressed • low-temp bake post-press to set the cakes Format: 250 g cake; 7 per tong Total production: 40 kg (160 cakes) Brewing guide (Great water helps; keep early steeps short to showcase sweetness and fragrance.) 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 the green bite peaks too quickly, pour at 95–96 °C or shorten the first 2–3 steeps. Western 3–4 g / 300 mL (10 oz) 95–98 °C • 2:00–2:30 2–3 infusions , adding 20–30s each round. Grandpa style 1–1.2 g / 100 mL , 90–95 °C Top up as you sip, easy, honeyed, orchid-tinged cup with a very clean finish. Cold brew 8–10 g / 1 L , room-temp water; refrigerate 6–8 hours . Crisp florals, cane sweetness, and low astringency. Pairing & occasions Great for comparative tastings against Wu Liang or Jinggu to explore altitude and leaf-type influence. In Summary Caffeine: Medium-High Storage & aging: Store cool, dry, odor-free, away from light; allow gentle airflow. Over 5–15 years, expect deepening honey/flower tones, smoother texture, and increased length, it’s built to integrate and round out with age. Longer term aging will increase complexity and desirable traits! Name: 2025 Yunnan Sourcing “Ai Lao Secret Garden” Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh (Sheng) Region: Ai Lao Mountains (Jingdong), Simao/Pu’er Elevation: ~2,100 m (high-altitude site) Leaf character: High-elevation small/large-leaf hybrid tendency Harvest: Spring 2025 (first flush) Process: Traditional sheng; stone-pressed, low-temp baked post-press Net weight: 250 g per cake (7 per tong) Production: 40 kg total (160 cakes) Wrapper Illustration: Fabio Cesaratto In short: A high-mountain, old-arbor Ai Lao sheng, orchid-honey fragrance, thick soupy body, and a long, sweet finish, crafted to drink now and integrate & round out beautifully with age. 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 . We drink the Spring 2018 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Secret Garden" in this video: