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From the same producer as our Maestro lineup of shou puer, these Laochatou come from a 2025 pile that uses the same material as our 2022 Cantata (Huazhuliangzi) . Make sure to check the About Master Li tab for more details. A byproduct of shou puer piling (wodui), laochatou consists of tea that has formed into clumps thanks to the release of pectin that has combined with sugars and other compounds exuded during the fermentation process. Once discarded from productions, most producers now treat this as an afterthought, however, extra care has been taken to grade these laochatou, with this batch coming from the finest (smallest) available. At the time we picked it up, this was also the only available grade left, as her medium and large grade laochatou tend to get snapped up immediately by those know what to expect from this tea. While it’s commonly recommended to let shou puer rest for a period after fermenting, this tea directly contradicts that outdated recommendation, with a fresh and funk-free character. This tea delivers a rice soup quality with slight nuttiness and mineral sweetness. A sticky rice sweetness in the aftertaste and syrupy quality shows the same attention to detail that goes into the rest of her shou production. This tea is crisp and approachable now, but still young, with clear aging potential ahead. $0.16/gram Region: Huazhuliangzi, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Harvest: Spring 2025