Lao Ban Zhang is a village that likely needs no introduction. With the highest prices of anywhere come springtime, it’s sought after for its aggressive, yet rich, flavour that quickly transforms to sweetness – traits all embodied by this tea. The huigan is strong and long; the energy powerful. The desire of experienced and rookie drinkers alike to own and experience a piece of this village has consequently led to higher prices, demand, and imposters of varying accuracy. The real question is, is the hype worth it? We sourced this tea directly from a farmer in Laobanzhang in order to allow you to answer the question for yourself. While we considered going all the way and using Spring 2018 material, we settled on Fall 2017 mixed picking material for this pressing in order to achieve a balance between quality and affordability. Yes, this cake is what you can considered an “affordable” tea from LBZ, with spring material priced considerably higher – at least 2x or more. This tea, however, still exemplifies the traits and qualities that have made the village famous. Don’t be fooled, it is anything but lacking in power and flavour. $1.40/gram
