{"title":"Pu Er Tea (Also Known as Pu Erh Teas)","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 7, 7);\"\u003ePu Er (often searched as 'Pu Erh teas') is the most famous category of post-fermented tea.   Some tea drinkers stumble upon them after reading about 'Pu Erh benefits'; since the launch of Xiaguan Tuo Cha's 'Xiao Fa Tuo' in French pharmacies in the 1980's, multiple sources have recommended consuming Pu Er for health reasons.  There is, however, much more to it!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"puer-f8","title":"DC14 F8 FAVOURITE 2012 SHOU PU ER","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA top notch ripe Pu Er that will be good to drink today or age for 50 years.  If you like heirloom, natural Ethiopian coffee you will identify with the juiciness and fermentation notes on this tea.  Very rich \"gan\".\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is now valued in China at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/f8-favourite-2020-shou-pu-er?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=c58ce0b2a\u0026amp;_ss=r\" title=\"F8 Collector Tea China, Bulang Shan\"\u003eCNY 23,000\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003eTea Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eTYPE\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePu Er (Shou | Dark) 2012\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBrown Sugar | Macadamia Nuts\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eLEAVES\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBulang Shan\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 97.6923%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%; height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: grey; font-size: 2rem; text-align: center;\"\u003eDC14 F8 FAVOURITE\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100º | 212º F    240ml | 8oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5 - 8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTEEP STYLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e15 seconds | multiple steeps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHY WE LIKE IT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"av_dropcap1\"\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis shou (ripe) pu er is smooth with a certain calming energy to it. The notes are complex enough to drink stand alone, however it pairs very nicely with dark aged rum on a cold rainy Vancouver night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eDC PU'ER CRAFTMANSHIP SINCE 1938\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 1: MAKING MAOCHA | ROUGH TEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDC is one of the earliest brands to use ancient raw materials. It uses old tea trees that are more than 300 years old. The farmers pick a bud of two or three fresh tea leaves at a time. The leaves are then air chilled to be roasted in a process called Killing Green, preventing full oxidation in the leaves. In strict accordance with the DC standard, the roasted leaves undergo a hand-kneading process, which breaks down the cell walls of the leaves, allowing the fragrance to develop during storage. The leaves are then left dry in the sun.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 2: STONE PRESSING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe dry leaves are hand packaged. Then they are pressed by a heavy stone for a cylindrical shape and non-uniform edge. The pressed Pu'er then undergo a complex process of gradual fermentation and maturation. Shou (Ripened) Pu'er uses an accelerated fermentation process, to imitate the taste of aged Sheng (Raw) Pu'er. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-tea-buds_large.jpg?v=1501207740\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-tea-roasting_large.jpg?v=1501207771\" alt=\"dc team tea roasting master\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCER\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMr. Lu Zhi Ming is the founder and leader at DC Tea, Guangzhou and Menghai. He spends over six months per year in Yunnan, developing close relationships with the farmers in remote mountain villages. He personally sources all of the tea leaves for DC Tea. (ie, harvests and pan-fires) Some of the most select batches are handcrafted by Mr. Ming. DC has won multiple awards all over China and Mr. Ming has one of the best-trained palates we've ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-team_large.jpg?v=1501207882\" alt=\"DC team\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-old-tree_large.jpg?v=1501207908\" alt=\"Pedro and a big old tree\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eGROWER ON THE MAP\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d14289561.629353398!2d99.39025287954854!3d29.02697980979799!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x30d570cd6655237d%3A0x3e9733aa64dfa415!2sBulang+Mountain%2C+Menghai%2C+Xishuangbanna%2C+Yunnan%2C+China!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1501211540383\" width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" style=\"border: 0;\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lu Zhi Ming | CHINA","offers":[{"title":"15g","offer_id":883387990044,"sku":"","price":245.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g - Cake","offer_id":883388055580,"sku":"","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/dc14-f8-favourite-2012-720439.jpg?v=1617148132"},{"product_id":"year-of-the-earth-bull-2009","title":"2009 YEAR OF THE EARTH BULL SHENG PU ER CAKE","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo celebrate the year of the METAL BULL (2021), we are releasing a couple of cases of these beautiful tea cakes.  They are made with ancient tree leaves, fired on wood and pressed with stone in Yiwu, the 'queen' mountain of Pu Er tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a full Zodiac cycle’s worth of aging in our Vancouver warehouse, this tea, harvested and pressed in the year of the Earth Bull, has come full circle.  These leaves have aged with grace and have come to embody a gentle lingering sweetness, light astringency, and a luscious, thick-feeling liquor.  Repeated infusions will be rewarded with subtle notes of liquorice root and camphor. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e  易武 Yiwu | Gao Shan Zhai 高山寨\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTree type:\u003c\/strong\u003e  古树\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e  March 2009\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e  July 2009\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAged in Vancouver since 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eWe purchases this tea at the workshop of Mr. Zheng Si Long, in Yiwu.  We pressed 50% of the tea into 200g cakes (which ended up closer to 190g) and kept the rest to age as mao cha (loose leaf).  It's very interesting to drink them side by side, analyzing the subtle differences in aging.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiring the Tea | 03.2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4094_480x480.jpg?v=1614746594\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZheng and Son, 03.2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_7433_480x480.jpg?v=1614746582\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStone Pressing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4025_480x480.jpg?v=1614746679\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"O5 Tea","offers":[{"title":"190g Cake","offer_id":883305873436,"sku":"","price":188.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/year-of-the-earth-bull-2009-190g-cake-961609.jpg?v=1617148254"},{"product_id":"2010-ban-po-lao-zai-nannuo-shan-un-pressed-raw-pu-er","title":"2010 BAN PO LAO ZAI - NANNUO SHAN, UNPRESSED SHENG PU ER","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWild honey.\u003c\/strong\u003e  Raw, intensively floral, mouth watering, with hint of smoke an long lasting finish.  This tea takes you on a trip to the highlands of southern Yunnan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Raw (Sheng) Pu Er  -  生普洱 \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBan Po Lao Zhai (半坡老寨), Nannuo Shan, Yunnan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaretaker of the ancient trees:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYang Si 杨四  (RIP)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e  03.2010\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tea's Journey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tea, it's origin and the caretaker of the trees are very special for Pedro and O5.  Yang Si, of the Hani (Aini) nation was an old friend and tea mentor for Pedro.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYang Si (literally Yang 'Number Four', as he was the fourth child in his family) grew up caring for the ancient trees in his family's groves.  In 2009, he invited a perfect stranger (Pedro, who was hiking in Nannuo) for lunch at his home; squatting by the fire with the whole family and drinking some rustically crafted yet insanely delicious tea, Pedro decided to somehow link his life to this mountain and tea.  He stayed there for a few days, and climbed down the mountain with a 20kg tea sack.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 2010, Yang Si invited Pedro to harvest and handcraft more tea in the mountain.  This rustically crafted tea from wonderful old trees is such harvest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYang Si, unfortunately, passed away in 2013.  He is missed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_8821_2_480x480.jpg?v=1623730770\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4493_480x480.jpg?v=1623730836\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4473_480x480.jpg?v=1623730727\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2021 Inspiration.  \u003c\/strong\u003eReading \u003cem\u003eT\u003c\/em\u003e\u003ci\u003ehe Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane\u003c\/i\u003e, by Lisa See inspired us to dive into the tea storage and check the evolution of this delicious 2010 tea.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Trivia.\u003c\/strong\u003e  Dao Tea was the previous iteration of O5.  This is an old video of Yang Si, back in Nannuo Shan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OXOKlAVH4ZE\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Yang Si | CHINA","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":8130519662692,"sku":"O5-515","price":37.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"80g","offer_id":3159052615708,"sku":"O5-515","price":72.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"240g","offer_id":3159052714012,"sku":"O5-515","price":195.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/2010-bam-po-lao-zai-nannuo-shan-un-pressed-raw-pu-er-415327.jpg?v=1623802277"},{"product_id":"ancient-writing","title":"WRITING OF THE ANCIENTS | 2013 SHENG LINCANG PU ER","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMind-boggling, insanely smooth raw Pu Er.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e   Crafted with leaves from ancient trees, it has the energy and 'gan' of ancient tree Yunnan teas.  It has, however, an almost fruity nature that is reminiscent of old tree Phoenix Dan Cong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrainchild of Gao Feng and Fan Xiu Li, two of the coolest, most talented people that we know in Yunnan (well versed in calligraphy, brush painting, Chinese ancient music, incense and... tea!), this tea is one of our team's all time favourites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've ever wondered about the concept of 'tea drunk', please try this!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_0948_480x480.jpg?v=1597987122\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_0952_480x480.jpg?v=1597987046\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":7798732718108,"sku":"","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"250g cake","offer_id":7798732783644,"sku":"","price":390.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/writing-of-the-ancients-2013-raw-lincang-pu-er-501776.jpg?v=1617148265"},{"product_id":"2006-yiwu","title":"TEA HORSE ROAD YIWU 2006 SHOU PU ER – GONG FU TEA","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colour is rich and dark (like French press coffee), but there is barely any bitterness in the brew.  The tea’s energy is grounding and warming, making it ideal for afternoon drinking during the PNW’s rainy season.  Having been stored in an ideal environment, the flavour has developed elegantly; the cakes are loosely pressed (by stone), also helping the tea to mature.  This is a beautiful yet very affordable introduction to the world of aged tea!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003eTea Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eTYPE\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePu Er\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eORIGIN\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYiwu, Yunnan, China \n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eLEAVES\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e ~ 150 y\/o Pu Er tree\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ePRESSED AND CELLARED BY\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFan Xiuli and Gao Feng\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e  16 years of storage in Menghai has left a mark on the traditional paper wrapper on many of these cakes.  You may find parts of the wrapper torn or slightly stained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 99.8353%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 1.64062px; background-color: #d8cfc1;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%; height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: grey; font-size: 2rem; text-align: center;\"\u003eTEA HORSE ROAD | YIWU 2006\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100º | 212º F    240ml | 8oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5 - 8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTEEP STYLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e15 seconds | multiple steeps | Gong Fu Style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eABOUT THE GROWER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGao Feng and Fan Xiuli are tea producers and ambassadors of Chinese culture (tea, painting, music…).  Originally from Northeast China, they currently live and work in Menghai.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003eDisclaimer: Due to the age of the cakes, the packaging may be slightly torn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":39376325541976,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"357g (Whole Cake)","offer_id":12378049740900,"sku":"O5-527","price":143.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/tea-horse-road-yiwu-2006-shou-pu-er-773978.jpg?v=1763326101"},{"product_id":"tribal-bamboo-pu-er-nannuo-2009","title":"TRIBAL BAMBOO - NANNUO 2009 SHENG PU ER","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThis is a traditionally crafted raw bamboo Pu Er, as enjoyed by the Hani nation of Yunnan; it was not meant for export.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe purchased a few kg of this very interesting tea back in 2009.  Men Er is the brother in law of our late friend and mentor, Yang Si.  While learning about old tree tea in Nannuo Shan, we stumbled upon a batch of this bamboo (young tea bush) tea that was meant for local consumption.  The flavours were very interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack then, we had no idea about a couple of things:  how this tea would age, and how different each chunk may taste (depending on the diameter and thickness of each bamboo piece); since the tea was for local consumption, Men Er did not really strive for much consistency.  This tea was wood-fired on a wok, stuffed in fresh pieces of bamboo and sun-dried.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4490_480x480.jpg?v=1599173017\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than ten years have gone by and we stumbled upon this case of tea, hidden in our warehouse.  It turns out, the tea has aged very nicely!  Every little chunk that we've sampled is still a bit different, but each one has been very enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4514_480x480.jpg?v=1599173009\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4514_480x480.jpg?v=1599173009\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; height: 17px;\"\u003eTYPE\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003ePu Er (Sheng | Raw)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 18.375px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; height: 18.375px;\"\u003eORIGIN\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 18.375px;\"\u003eBan Bo Lao Zhai, Nannuo Shan, Yunnan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; height: 17px;\"\u003eGROWER\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMen Er\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; height: 17px;\"\u003eHARVEST\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003eMarch 2009 | Tea Bush\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; height: 17px;\"\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 17px;\"\u003eFreshly-rained-upon-rainforest, baked wild honey, smoked bamboo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100ºC | 120ml \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGONG FU GUIDE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e8\" | multiple steeps | 'stew' the tea after ~10 steeps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Men Er's aunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4462_480x480.jpg?v=1599173024\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Yang Si | CHINA","offers":[{"title":"100g","offer_id":33311408586840,"sku":"O5-515","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g","offer_id":33311408619608,"sku":"O5-515","price":83.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500g","offer_id":33311408554072,"sku":"O5-515","price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/tribal-bamboo-pu-er-nannuo-2009-788129.jpg?v=1617148265"},{"product_id":"year-of-the-earth-bull-2009-mao-cha-loose-1","title":"YEAR OF THE EARTH BULL | 2009 SHENG PU ER -  MAO CHA (LOOSE)","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo celebrate the year of the METAL BULL (2021), we are releasing another small batch of unpressed leaves.  They are made with ancient tree leaves and fired on wood in Yiwu, the 'queen' mountain of Pu Er tea.  If you prefer pressed tea, please consider these stone pressed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/year-of-the-earth-bull-2009?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=1cc5146b6\u0026amp;_ss=r\" title=\"Year of the Bull Tea Cakes\"\u003etea cakes\u003c\/a\u003e, using the same mao cha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a full Zodiac cycle’s worth of aging in our Vancouver warehouse, this tea, harvested and pressed in the year of the Earth Bull, has come full circle.  These leaves have aged with grace and have come to embody a gentle lingering sweetness, light astringency, and a luscious, thick-feeling liquor.  Repeated infusions will be rewarded with subtle notes of liquorice root and camphor. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e  易武 Yiwu | Gao Shan Zhai 高山寨\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTree type:\u003c\/strong\u003e  古树\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e  March 2009\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e  July 2009\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAged in Vancouver since 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eWe purchases this tea at the workshop of Mr. Zheng Si Long, in Yiwu.  We pressed 50% of the tea into 200g cakes (which ended up closer to 190g) and kept the rest to age as mao cha (loose leaf).  It's very interesting to drink them side by side, analyzing the subtle differences in aging.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiring the Tea | 03.2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4094_480x480.jpg?v=1614746594\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZheng and Son, 03.2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_7433_480x480.jpg?v=1614746582\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStone Pressing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4025_480x480.jpg?v=1614746679\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Zhen Si Long | CHINA","offers":[{"title":"40g Mao Cha","offer_id":39268666998872,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"80g Mao Cha","offer_id":39268667031640,"sku":"","price":85.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"240g Mao Cha","offer_id":39268667064408,"sku":"","price":210.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/year-of-the-earth-bull-2009-mao-cha-loose-115271.jpg?v=1617148253"},{"product_id":"2021-workhorse-small-organic-hunan-brick","title":"2021 WORKHORSE | SMALL, ORGANIC HUNAN BRICK","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorkhorse is a special production Hunan Fu Tea (茯茶 | Brick Tea), crafted with organic tea leaves and a few twigs.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commissioned the first generation in 2014, having discovered the magic of this style of tea in the bitter cold highlands of Hunan the previous winter. Humble, non-pretentious and almost impossible to over-steep, Workhorse delivers a steaming tea cup that is perfect for chilly mornings or evenings. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh Hay | Leather | Brown Sugar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we kick off 2022, we are happy to present the third generation. It is crafted with 2020 tea leaves and was pressed in 2021. Once the tea was ready, in today’s crazy world, it made a 7 month journey from the highlands of Hunan to Vancouver. A trip on horse and sailboat could have been quicker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout this style of tea:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- Farmed and crafted in the mountains near Anhua, Hunan, China\u003cbr\u003e- Traditionally consumed minority groups: Mongolians, Tibetans\u003cbr\u003e- Important in their daily diet; said to help digest fatty foods\u003cbr\u003e- Often consumed with butter and a pinch of salt\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome cool facts about its production process:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e- Unlike some Pu Er, this tea is NOT made from ancient trees; it is made from simple, humble, organic tea bushes. \u003cbr\u003e- No major care was taken to remove small twigs, as these are an important part of this tea. \u003cbr\u003e- Like cooked PuEr (and Liu Bao), the leaves go through a ‘pile fermentation process’.\u003cbr\u003e- These leaves are inoculated (using flour and spores) with a micro-organism from the Fungi kingdom, lovingly called ‘Golden Flower' (金花); its most accepted Latin name is Aspergilus cristatus, but it has also commonly been called Eurotium cristatum. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTibetans and Mongolians attribute a plethora of health benefits to this type of tea. Some may be true. We just think it's delicious.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecommendation: try drinking this in the morning with 1\/2 teaspoon of ghee! It will keep you powered up for hours!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"entry-content-header\"\u003eTea Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cb data-stringify-type=\"bold\"\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-stringify-type=\"bold\"\u003eSub-Type: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aerobic (Pile) Fermentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-stringify-type=\"bold\"\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnhua, Hunan, China\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-stringify-type=\"bold\"\u003eGPS: \u003c\/b\u003e28.4°N | 111.5°E\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"CHINA","offers":[{"title":"Brick (350g)","offer_id":39789355368536,"sku":"","price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/2021-workhorse-small-organic-hunan-brick-107889.jpg?v=1702754208"},{"product_id":"dien-bien-phu-ancient-tree-raw-tea","title":"DIEN BIEN PHU  |  ANCIENT TREE, RAW TEA 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(10, 10, 10);\"\u003eSourced from ancient tea trees in Dien Bien Phu, this rare Vietnamese raw tea offers a mineral-rich, complex profile with long aging potential.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0126f7;\"\u003eTASTING EXPERIENCE:   NOTES OF ROASTED, TURNIPS, PIPE TOBACCO, BIRCH WOOD.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe highlands of Northwest Vietnam remind us of Yunnan in the early 2000s, \u003c\/strong\u003ewilder and less developed. While this tea should not be called Pu Er (since this is considered a denomination of origin), the ancient trees of Ha Giang are very similar to their close cousins in Yunnan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e X\u003cspan lang=\"FR\"\u003ein Chai Commune, Tua Chua district, Dien Bien Phu Province, Vietnam\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGPS:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22.1°N 103.3°E   - Alt. 1500m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvested and Handcrafted by:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eLo Seo Ngan, \u003c\/strong\u003ewho belongs to the Xa Phang (Hoa) nation of Dien Bien Phu.  The Xa Phang trace their origins to China, back in the days when national borders were less rigid, and speak a Chinese dialect.  You may learn more about Vietnam's nations \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rehahnphotographer.com\/en\/ethnic-minorities-in-vietnam\/\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:  \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e March 2023\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTree type:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u0026gt; 300-year-old, ungroomed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience: \u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted Turnips, Mild Tobacco, Birch Wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandcrafting:  \u003c\/strong\u003ehand plucking, withering, pan-firing, hand-rolling, sun-drying, sorting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Suggestions:  \u003c\/strong\u003e6g tea \/ 110g water\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e@100°C, 10\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4812_480x480.jpg?v=1681956246\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4821_7eb26dbb-9921-463d-a9ae-1c3e7566121c_480x480.jpg?v=1681956223\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Dien Bien Phu - and why we find this a fascinating origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost people know Dien Bien Phu for the 1954 battle. Far fewer know that the same mountains harbour ancient tea trees that were old before any of that happened. In Tủa Chùa district, at 1,400–1,800 metres above sea level, these trees sit at one corner of the scientific \"golden triangle\" considered the birthplace of \u003cem\u003eCamellia sinensis\u003c\/em\u003e itself, alongside Yunnan and Laos's Phongsali. In October 2022, a cluster of a hundred of these trees was formally recognised as Vietnamese Heritage Trees. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReally cool fact: the Hmong communities of Tủa Chùa brew their Shan Tuyết with rainwater, not tap — tap water, they'll tell you, flattens the mineral coolness that rises from centuries-old roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat keeps these trees alive is something practical dressed up as belief. Among the Hmong, an ancient tea tree is an ancestral gift — to sell it or neglect it is a betrayal of your lineage.[⁵] That's a conservation ethic that survived wars, economic pressure, and the full weight of the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those overlooked tea origins that relatively few people ever explore. We think that's worth fixing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVietnam Tourism — Dien Bien: Historical Destination, Culture and Tourism — https:\/\/vietnamtourism.gov.vn\/post\/60532\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea J Tea — Unveiling the Richness of Vietnamese Tea Culture — https:\/\/teajtea.com\/blogs\/tea-region\/unveiling-the-richness-of-vietnamese-tea-culture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKill Green — Vietnamese Tea: Origin, Geography, Cultivars, Current Affairs — https:\/\/www.killgreen.io\/main\/vietnamese-tea-origin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKill Green — Tea Production in Vietnam: A History and Evolution — https:\/\/www.killgreen.io\/main\/vietnamese-tea-production-history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDu Lịch Điện Biên — Các loại trà Điện Biên Phủ được du khách yêu thích nhất — https:\/\/dienbientour.com\/cac-loai-tra-dien-bien-phu\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lo Seo Ngan","offers":[{"title":"50g","offer_id":44760380899639,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g","offer_id":44760380965175,"sku":"","price":125.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500g","offer_id":45180215066935,"sku":"","price":235.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/dien-bien-phu-ancient-tree-raw-tea-244482.jpg?v=1682650156"},{"product_id":"f8-favourite-2020-shou-pu-er","title":"F8 FAVOURITE | 2020 SHOU PU ER","description":"\u003cdiv title=\"Page 1\" class=\"page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the 2023 edition of the red hot F8 collection of tea cakes, released since 2012 using leaves from the same tea grove. The 2012 release, in particular, is a highly regarded collectors’ item, now valued at ~ CNY 8900 ($4500).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/Productdetail.aspx?ProID=143\" title=\"DC TEA F8 2012\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehttp:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/Productdetail.aspx?ProID=143\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eg\/cake\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e357g\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e布朗\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e山 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Bulang Shan), ~400-year-old trees \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetail Price Reference (Guangzhou):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/Productdetail.aspx?ProID=244\" title=\"DC Tea F8 Bulang Shan Ancient Tree Pu Er\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e¥5800\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 97.6923%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%; height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: grey; font-size: 2rem; text-align: center;\"\u003eF8 FAVOURITE\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100º | 212º F    240ml | 8oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5 - 8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTEEP STYLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e15 seconds | multiple steeps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHY WE LIKE IT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"av_dropcap1\"\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis shou (ripe) pu er is smooth with a certain calming energy to it. The notes are complex enough to drink stand alone, however it pairs very nicely with dark aged rum on a cold rainy Vancouver night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCER\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMr. Lu Zhi Ming is the founder and leader at DC Tea, Guangzhou and Menghai. He spends over six months per year in Yunnan, developing close relationships with the farmers in remote mountain villages. He personally sources all of the tea leaves for DC Tea. (ie, harvests and pan-fires) Some of the most select batches are handcrafted by Mr. Ming. DC has won multiple awards all over China and Mr. Ming has one of the best-trained palates we've ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-team_large.jpg?v=1501207882\" alt=\"DC team\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-old-tree_large.jpg?v=1501207908\" alt=\"Pedro and a big old tree\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DC","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":45405368222007,"sku":"","price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g - Cake","offer_id":45405368287543,"sku":"","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/f8-favourite-2020-shou-pu-er-675100.jpg?v=1684580059"},{"product_id":"pulse-of-heaven-2021-shou-pu-er-1","title":"PULSE OF HEAVEN  | 2021 SHOU PU ER","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#002ff2\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #002ff2;\" color=\"#002ff2\"\u003eThis is a very juicy, unusually fruity cooked Pu Er.  Early steeps are reminiscent of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #002ff2;\"\u003eTaiwanese\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #002ff2;\" color=\"#002ff2\"\u003e black tea; the 4th to 6th steeps reveal stronger notes of the tea's 2020 F8 base (leather, wood and fresh hay).  The tea offers strong 'gan', \u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #002ff2;\"\u003eminimum\u003c\/span\u003e astringency, and a very sweet mouthfeel at the centre of the tongue and palate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis tea cake is an iteration of the 2020 edition of DC’s F8. Using 400-year-old Bulang Shan tree leaves as a base, Mr. Lu added some 300-year-old Nannuo Shan tree leaves, known for enhancing ‘gan’.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eg\/cake:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eg\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e布朗\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e山 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Bulang Shan), ~400-year-old trees and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e南糯 山 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Nannuo Shan) ~300-year-old trees\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetail Price (Guangzhou):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e¥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1300\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice reference (in China) for Previous Editions:   \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2018 (357g): \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e¥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3900\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1; padding: 10px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100º | 212º F    240ml | 8oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5 - 8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTEEP STYLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e15 seconds | multiple steeps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHY WE LIKE IT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"av_dropcap1\"\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis shou (ripe) pu er is smooth with a certain calming energy to it. The notes are complex enough to drink stand alone, however it pairs very nicely with dark aged rum on a cold rainy Vancouver night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCER\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMr. Lu Zhi Ming is the founder and leader at DC Tea, Guangzhou and Menghai. He spends over six months per year in Yunnan, developing close relationships with the farmers in remote mountain villages. He personally sources all of the tea leaves for DC Tea. (ie, harvests and pan-fires) Some of the most select batches are handcrafted by Mr. Ming. DC has won multiple awards all over China and Mr. Ming has one of the best-trained palates we've ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"DC team\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-team_large.jpg?v=1501207882\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Pedro and a big old tree\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-old-tree_large.jpg?v=1501207908\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DC","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":45405414195511,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"80g","offer_id":45405414228279,"sku":"","price":108.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g  - Cake","offer_id":45405414261047,"sku":"","price":230.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/products\/pulse-of-heaven-2021-shou-pu-er-876450.jpg?v=1684580127"},{"product_id":"2014-xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo","title":"HORSEBACK | 2014 Xiaguan Ma Bei Tuo, Historical 25kg Basket","description":"\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eWhat happens when you age an iconic pu er (Xiaguan Ma Bei Tuo) in old school baskets?  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eMa Bei Tuo is one of the most famous formulas from one of the largest pu er tea producers in China.  It is usually sold in 100g 'tuo' (沱) the iconic mushroom cap shaped pieces that have made Xiaguan famous.  The recipe includes a proprietary mix of big leaf, sun dried pu er leaves that are aged 3 - 6 years before being blended and pressed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eIn the late Qing dynasty, these bamboo baskets were a very common way to transport leaves across the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道).  Xiaguan recreated this really cool product with special editions in 2005 and 2014; the vast majority were sold very quickly to collectors.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eExperience:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eXiaguan's trademark campfire notes, pleasant camphor aroma, lingering aftertaste.  It does feel older than equivalent 'tuo'.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Dali, Yunnan, China   (25.6°N 100.2°E)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e  2008 - 2011\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlending \u0026amp; Packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e  2014\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea was offered as part of our 2024 Pu Er study group.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehttps:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/tea-collection-and-study-group-xiaguan-tuo-cha-pu-er-01-24-06-24?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=c0a1f6b06\u0026amp;_ss=r\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"50g - loose","offer_id":48956865511735,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g - loose","offer_id":48956865544503,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500g - loose","offer_id":48956865577271,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/horse-back-2014-xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo-historical-25kg-basket-942816.jpg?v=1715790510"},{"product_id":"blossom-bounty-2024-cooked-pu-er-huazhu-liangzi-ancient-tree-357g","title":"BLOSSOM BOUNTY | 2024 Cooked Pu Er, Huazhu Liangzi Ancient Tree 357g","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBLOSSOM BOUNTY (\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e繁花) is a newly released tea by our old friends at DC (巔茶) using ancient tree pu er leaves from Huazhu Liangzi. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eg\/cake\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e357g\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-end=\"37\" data-start=\"29\"\u003e花竹梁子\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Huazhu Liangzi), ancient tree garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrign:  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"42\" data-end=\"199\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem]\"\u003eHuazhu Liangzi, located in Menghai County, Yunnan Province, China, is home to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem]\"\u003ehighest peak in the region, reaching 2,430 meters above sea level.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"201\" data-end=\"320\" class=\"\"\u003eWe became fans of this tea forest when we its ancient tree white tea in 2014; a few years later, we had the chance to visit DC's most beautiful tea grove... and have been drinking local tea since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide:  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTea:  8g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater:  110g @ boiling point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTime:  8\" (\u0026gt;10 steeps)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHY WE LIKE IT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"av_dropcap1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCER\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMr. Lu Zhi Ming is the founder and leader at DC Tea, Guangzhou and Menghai. He spends over six months per year in Yunnan, developing close relationships with the farmers in remote mountain villages. He personally sources all of the tea leaves for DC Tea. (ie, harvests and pan-fires) Some of the most select batches are handcrafted by Mr. Ming. DC has won multiple awards all over China and Mr. Ming has one of the best-trained palates we've ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DC","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":50424610521399,"sku":null,"price":21.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"357g - Cake","offer_id":50424610554167,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/blossom-bounty-2024-cooked-pu-er-huazhu-liangzi-ancient-tree-357g-3056300.jpg?v=1771708157"},{"product_id":"f8-favourite-2023-shou-pu-er","title":"F8 FAVOURITE | 2023 SHOU PU ER","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the 2023 edition of the red hot F8 collection of tea cakes, released since 2012 using leaves from the same tea grove. The 2012 release, in particular, is a highly regarded collectors’ item, now valued at ~ CNY 8900 ($4500).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"DC TEA F8 2012\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/Productdetail.aspx?ProID=143\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehttp:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/Productdetail.aspx?ProID=143\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0c68f2;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eg\/cake\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e357g\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e布朗\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e山 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Bulang Shan), ~400-year-old trees \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetail Price Reference (Guangzhou):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"F8 DC Tea, China\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dc-tea.com\/ProductList.aspx?ID=93\u0026amp;page=4\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e¥2800\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 97.6923%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%; height: 1.64062px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: grey; font-size: 2rem; text-align: center;\"\u003eF8 FAVOURITE\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"background-color: #d8cfc1; padding: 10px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWATER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e100º | 212º F    240ml | 8oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5 - 8g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTEEP STYLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e15 seconds | multiple steeps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 37.5185%; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQUIPMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56.4815%; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGaiwan or Yixing Teapot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHY WE LIKE IT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"av_dropcap1\"\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis shou (ripe) pu er is smooth with a certain calming energy to it. The notes are complex enough to drink stand alone, however it pairs very nicely with dark aged rum on a cold rainy Vancouver night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eABOUT THE PRODUCER\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMr. Lu Zhi Ming is the founder and leader at DC Tea, Guangzhou and Menghai. He spends over six months per year in Yunnan, developing close relationships with the farmers in remote mountain villages. He personally sources all of the tea leaves for DC Tea. (ie, harvests and pan-fires) Some of the most select batches are handcrafted by Mr. Ming. DC has won multiple awards all over China and Mr. Ming has one of the best-trained palates we've ever encountered. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/Lu_Zhi_Ming.jpg?v=1743021955\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"DC team\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/dc-team_large.jpg?v=1501207882\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DC","offers":[{"title":"40g","offer_id":50427221147959,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"357g - Cake","offer_id":50427221180727,"sku":null,"price":510.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/f8-favourite-2023-shou-pu-er-129671.jpg?v=1743066002"},{"product_id":"horse-back-2014-xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo-historical-25kg-basket-copy","title":"WOODEN GOAT | Xiaguan Yiwei · Zhonghua Iron Cake | 2015 Raw Pu Er, 357g","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a special edition Xiaguan Tuocha iron cake (tie bing) created to celebrate the Year of the Wooden Goat (2015).  \u003c\/strong\u003eIt has been aging in Vancouver over the past 9 years.  This tea offers the classic, full bodied mouthfeel characteristic of Xiaguan; the aging flavour is very clean, as it's been stored in the Pacific Northwest over almost a decade.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout this Tea:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eYiwèi (乙未): This is the 32nd term in the traditional Chinese 60-year cyclical calendar, corresponding to the Year of the Wood Goat in 2015. The date of production confirms this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eZhonghua (中华): Meaning \"China\" or \"Chinese,\" this is the name of a classic, long-running recipe series from Xiaguan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eIron Cake (铁饼): This refers to the tea being compressed under extremely high pressure, resulting in a rock-hard, dense cake. This style is traditionally believed to be excellent for long-term aging, as it slows down the interaction with air.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51358242439479,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Box:  7 X 357g","offer_id":51358242472247,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/yiwei-zhonghua-iron-cake-2015-xiaguan-357g-6711421.jpg?v=1763498783"},{"product_id":"jinbang-bing-zhi-yun-2015-xiaguan-357g","title":"GOLDEN RECORD | Xiaguan Jinbang · Bing Zhi Yun, 2015 Raw Pu Er, 357g","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a another special edition Xiaguan Tuocha iron cake (tie bing) made with top grade leaves from the Dali region in Yunnan.  \u003c\/strong\u003eIt has been aging elegantly in British Columbia over the past 9 years.  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChinese Name:  金榜 · 饼之韵\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout this Tea:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 70, 167);\"\u003eJinbang · Bing Zhi Yun (金榜 · 饼之韵). \"金榜\" (Jinbang) refers to the \"Gold List\" of successful scholars in imperial exams, symbolizing excellence and high achievement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 70, 167);\"\u003eTraditionally pressed cakes (\"Pao Bing\"): While \"Iron Cakes\" are prized for aging, a well-aged \"Pao Bing\" is often more immediately enjoyable as it's easier to brew. The market value is very high for both.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 70, 167);\"\u003eType: Raw Pu-erh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"357g Cake","offer_id":51358272127287,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Box:  7 X 357g","offer_id":51358272160055,"sku":null,"price":430.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/jinbang-bing-zhi-yun-2015-xiaguan-357g-8244353.jpg?v=1764027640"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-te-ji-tuo-aged-raw-pu-er","title":"Xiaguan Classic 8653 and T-8653 | 2010, 2013, 2014  Aged Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3 vintages of a timeless classic.  8653 is one of the most iconic Xiaguan teas, easily recongizeable by both collectors and aged tea aficionados.  \u003c\/strong\u003e It is a fantastic tea to have in your aged collection, and extremely affordable if you'd like to stock up on several cakes.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipe was developed in the 1970's.  These tea cakes have been dry aged in Vancouver since 2016.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe recipe stands for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8: the first digit often represents the year the recipe was created. \"8\" signifies the 1970s.\u003cbr\u003e6: The second digit indicates the grade of the tea leaf material. \"6\" is a medium-grade, robust blend, perfect for withstanding aging and providing a strong, characteristic flavour.\u003cbr\u003e5: The third digit is the factory code. \"5\" is the code for the Xiaguan Tea Factory.\u003cbr\u003e3: The fourth digit represents the recipe or the specific product line. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 70, 167);\"\u003eType: Raw Pu-erh.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 70, 167);\"\u003eYunnan Da Ye, sun dried.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eT8653: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e this is a very tightly compressed 'Tie Bing' or Iron Cake.  Tightly compressed tea takes longer to 'age' compared with looser, traditionally pressed tea cakes.  It is, however, a very highly valued format for long term pu er collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP8653: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e this is a traditionally pressed 'Pao Bing'.  The leaves are not as tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFT8653: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e this is a special edition T8653, custom made for the a highly respected Taiwanese tea company (Fei Tai).  FT8653-10 was the 2010 production and is considered one of the top vintages for this tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich one should you get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e  \u003c\/strong\u003eOur suggestion:  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry them all!  Their price is quite affordable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStock up on whichever you like the most, to age at home and share with friends in years to come.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 102, 244);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 8653 is available in boxes of 7, if you choose this format.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Xiaguan Tuo 8653 Recipe\" href=\"https:\/\/mp.weixin.qq.com\/s\/6OZUJTjr_uOa8kBdEHbCOA\"\u003eThis is an article from Xiaguan's Beijing flagship store about this iconic recipe.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea has fantastic aging potential!  \u003ca title=\"Xiaguan 8653\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en-ca\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=8653*\"\u003eCheck out this post from the good folks at Yunnan Sourcing, with a 2001 T8653 exceeding $600!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2010 FTT8653-10 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51361385152823,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 P8653 357g Cake","offer_id":51361322107191,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 T8653 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51361322631479,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 P8653 357g Cake","offer_id":51361203257655,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 T8653 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51361321615671,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_2046.jpg?v=1763504153"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-te-ji-tuo-2009-2013-2014-aged-raw-pu-er","title":"Xiaguan Te Ji Tuo | 2012, 2013, 2014  Aged Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXiaguan Te Ji Tuo Cha  (特級沱茶) stands as one of the most iconic and accessible raw pu-er offerings in the world.  \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily recognizable by its simple, classic wr\u003cimg\u003eapper, it is a fantastic tea to have in your collection for daily drinking, and remains extremely affordable for those looking to stock up on several tuos to age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name \"Te Ji\" translates to \"Special Grade\" or \"Premium Grade,\" signifying that it uses a higher proportion of bud-rich, tender leaf material compared to many of Xiaguan's other blends. This is a 100-gram raw pu-erh tuo, a format perfected by Xiaguan for its convenience and ideal aging properties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType: Raw Pu Er (Sheng Cha). Yunnan Da Ye Zhong (Large Leaf Varietal), sun-dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \"Special Grade\" Character: Buds for Aroma and Acuity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining feature of the Te Ji Tuo is its leaf grade. Among Xiaguan's iconic recipes, Te Ji relies on the highest grade of material, rich in buds (hao). This results in a different aging trajectory and drinking profile.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese teas have been dry aged in Richmond, British Columbia, since 2015.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich one should you get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e  \u003c\/strong\u003eOur suggestion:  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry them all!  Their price is quite affordable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStock up on whichever you like the most, to age at home and share with friends in years to come.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2013 100g Tuo","offer_id":51361424408887,"sku":"05-023-13-100","price":16.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 5 X 100g Tuo","offer_id":51361424376119,"sku":"05-023-13-100(5)","price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 100g Tuo","offer_id":51361424343351,"sku":"05-023-14-100","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 5 X 100g Tuo","offer_id":51361424310583,"sku":"05-023-14-100(5)","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 250g Tuo","offer_id":51361424441655,"sku":"05-023-14-250","price":36.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2012 100g Tuo","offer_id":51454322540855,"sku":"05-023-12-100","price":17.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-te-ji-tuo-2009-2013-2014-aged-raw-pu-er-5686527.jpg?v=1763581742"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo-2007","title":"HORSEBACK, Xiaguan Ma Bei Tuo | 2007 Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eWhat happens when you age an iconic pu er (Xiaguan Ma Bei Tuo) in old school baskets?  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eMa Bei Tuo is one of the most famous formulas from one of the largest pu er tea producers in China.  It is usually sold in 100g 'tuo' (沱) the iconic mushroom cap shaped pieces that have made Xiaguan famous.  The recipe includes a proprietary mix of big leaf, sun dried pu er leaves that are aged 3 - 6 years before being blended and pressed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eIn the late Qing dynasty, these bamboo baskets were a very common way to transport leaves across the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道).  Xiaguan recreated this really cool product with special editions in 2005 and 2014; the vast majority were sold very quickly to collectors.  If you'd like to try some of this very rare stuff, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/2014-xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo-from-25kg-basket-collectors-edition?_pos=2\u0026amp;_psq=ma+bei\u0026amp;_ss=e\u0026amp;_v=1.0\" title=\"Xiaguan Ma Bei Tuo Horseback Qing Dynasty\"\u003eplease find it here.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eExperience:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eXiaguan's trademark campfire notes, pleasant camphor aroma, lingering aftertaste.  It does feel older than equivalent 'tuo'.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Dali, Yunnan, China   (25.6°N 100.2°E)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlending \u0026amp; Packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e  2007, using a blend of leaves from the previous 4 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"100g Tuo","offer_id":51361505444151,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 X 100g Tuo","offer_id":51361505476919,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/horseback-xiaguan-ma-bei-tuo-2007-raw-pu-er-7424716.jpg?v=1763581737"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-canger-2003-to-2014-vintages-aged-raw-pu-er","title":"Xiaguan Canger | 2003 to 2014 Vintages, Aged Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 102, 247);\"\u003eXiaguan Tuocha's Canger iconic series is one of the most recognizeable brands in the pu er tea universe.  Its identity is built on consistency, affordability, and a very distinctive flavour profile that makes Xiaguan unlike any other tea brand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnter a time machine! We are extremely fortunate to have a wide diversity of vintages of this iconic tea.\u003c\/strong\u003e These have been aging in Richmond (British Columbia) since 2014.  Previously, they were stored in Kunming, Yunnan. This quite affordable tea line gives us a fantastic opportunity to study the development of tea leaves across time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease note that some of the older boxes are a bit crushed, as you would expect from tea that's been stored 2.5 decades.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChinese Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e 苍洱沱茶 (Cāng Ěr Tuóchá). This recipe  was originally created in \u003cstrong\u003e1959\u003c\/strong\u003e as a national gift tea for the 10th anniversary of the PRC, named after Cangshan Mountain (苍山) and Erhai Lake (洱海) in Dali. Production was later discontinued, then revived in \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 2000\u003c\/strong\u003e under the Songhe trademark. It is classified as 金品 (Jinpin) series — entry-to-mid everyday tier — using plantation-material (台地茶) large-leaf spring maocha from Baoshan and Simao regions, steam-pressed with Cangshan mountain spring water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Characteristics:  \u003c\/strong\u003eexpect an untiring, charming workhorse, not a single origin super refined tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe \"Xiaguan Flavour\" (下关味, Xiàguān Wèi):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot for the faint of heart:  robust, straightforward, lightly smoky.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eRecipe: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSimao (思茅) and Lincang (临沧) region tea leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePicking Standard: \u003c\/strong\u003e primarily broken leaves and tips (碎茶, Suì chá). The use of broken leaf allows for a faster fermentation and a stronger, quicker-infusing brew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003etuo cha* (沱茶), a bowl-shaped compressed tea\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompression: \u003c\/strong\u003e notoriously tight. This protects the tea during transport but slows down the aging process.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Journey (2003):\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eEarly infusions (1-3): Amber to orange-yellow liquor, bright and translucent. Mild smoke on the nose ('classic' Xiaguan — \"无烟不下关\"), honey-sweetness and camphor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMid-infusions (4-10): Liquor deepens to golden-amber, honey notes persist with floral hints; 'gan' deepens and lingers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLate infusions: lingering, forest mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe roots of the Xiaguan Tea Factory trace back to 1902, when the Yong Chang Xiang (永昌祥) merchant housein Xiaguan — the key trading hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road — refined the bowl-shaped tuocha form that would become the factory's signature. As trade flourished, dozens of tea enterprises proliferated in the Xiaguan district of Dali throughout the 1910s–1930s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe modern factory traces its official founding to May 1941, when the Mongolian and Tibetan Commission and the Yunnan China Tea Trading Company jointly established the Kang Zang Tea Factory (康藏茶厂). Its primary mandate was producing compressed tea for Tibetan markets under the 宝焰牌 (Baoyan \/ Holy Flame)trademark. After nationalization in 1950, the factory was renamed the Xiaguan Tea Factory and absorbed allremaining private tea houses in the Dali region by 1955.\u003cbr\u003eKey milestones include: the 1959 creation of 苍洱沱茶 as a national anniversary gift tea; the 1972 creation of the Xiao Fa Tuo (小法沱) for French export — the first Pu-erh to reach Europe; national silver quality awards in 1981 and 1987; and the 1987 World Food Gold Crown Award in Düsseldorf. The factory restructured into a joint-stock company in 1994, then completed full privatization in 2004.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company is regarded as one of China's \"Big Three\" legacy Pu-erh producers alongside Menghai Tea Factory (大益) and Kunming Tea Factory. The industry saying is: \"勐海圆、下关沱、昆明砖\" — 'Menghai for cakes, Xiaguan for tuochas, Kunming for bricks.' Xiaguan holds three major trademarks: 松鹤牌 (Songhe) for tuochas, 宝焰牌 (Baoyan) for bricks\/cakes, and 南诏牌 (Nanzhao) for premium lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2014 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442537271,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2013 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442504503,"sku":null,"price":42.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2012 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442471735,"sku":null,"price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2011 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442438967,"sku":null,"price":46.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390500241719,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2009 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390503584055,"sku":null,"price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2006 100g Tuo","offer_id":51390506172727,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2005 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390504239415,"sku":null,"price":77.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2004 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442406199,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2003 250g Tuo","offer_id":51390442373431,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-canger-2003-to-2014-vintages-aged-raw-pu-er-4409167.jpg?v=1764162040"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-tuocha-chinese-zodiac-collection-investment-series","title":"Xiaguan Tuocha | Chinese Zodiac Collection - Investment Series","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 106, 250);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Xiaguan Zodiac Series (下关沱茶生肖系列 - Xiàguān Tuóchá Shēngxiào Xìliè) is  collectible, gift-worthy series of raw pu er produced every year.  They are often purchased for gifting, commemorating a birth year (本命年 - běnmìng nián), or as a speculative investment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormats:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  cake (饼 - bǐng), brick tea (砖茶 - zhuānchá), and \"bowl\" shape (沱茶 - tuóchá).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduction Dates:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eeach tea was produced (i.e. pressed and packaged) one year before that of the Zodiac sign that it celebrates.  Example:  the Year of the Snake tea was produced in 2012 (the Year of the Dragon).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStorage:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003esuper dry storage in Richmond, British Columbia, since 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaves:  \u003c\/strong\u003epremium, chunkier leaves vs. most of Xiaguan's regular lines.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"float: none;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_2150_480x480.jpg?v=1764130915\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCOLLECTION SETS:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(17, 17, 18);\"\u003eHaving acquired Mr. Zhang's collection of Xiaguan tuo cha, we have the unique opportunity to offer some full, unopened boxes in all three formats!  The price is also extremely attractive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"Year of the Monkey 357g Cake (pressed 2015)","offer_id":51390692819255,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Monkey 150g Tuo (pressed 2015)","offer_id":51390692852023,"sku":null,"price":24.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Monkey 400g Brick (pressed 2015)","offer_id":51390692884791,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Horse 357g Cake (pressed 2013)","offer_id":51392030703927,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Horse 150g Tuo (pressed 2013)","offer_id":51392044138807,"sku":null,"price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Horse 400g Brick (pressed 2013)","offer_id":51392048202039,"sku":null,"price":79.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Goat 357g Cake (pressed 2015)","offer_id":51392065241399,"sku":null,"price":77.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Goat 150g Tuo (pressed 2014)","offer_id":51392066683191,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Year of the Goat 400g Brick (pressed 2014)","offer_id":51392067338551,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~2.5kg) Year of the Monkey 7 Cakes","offer_id":51390954799415,"sku":null,"price":425.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~2.4kg) Year of the Monkey 6 Bricks","offer_id":51390955520311,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~1.8kg) Year of the Monkey 18 Tuo","offer_id":51390957912375,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~2.5kg) Year of the Horse 7 Cakes","offer_id":51392048595255,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~2.4kg) Year of the Horse 6 Bricks","offer_id":51392050495799,"sku":null,"price":420.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CASE (~1.8kg) Year of the Horse 18 Tuo","offer_id":51392072843575,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_2132.jpg?v=1764122770"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-classic-8663-and-t-8663-2014-cooked-pu-er","title":"Xiaguan Classic 8663 and T-8663 | 2014 Cooked Pu Er","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"769\" data-start=\"0\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"16\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eXiaGuan 8663\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the classic cooked (ripe) Pu Er recipes from this iconic producer.  Extremely easy to drink (and brew), this is a very reliable brew to start or finish your days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"769\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eExpect a tea with low fermentation funk and a stable, medium-full body; it ages gracefully without becoming overly heavy or musty. Along with Xiao Fa Tuo, it is one of XiaGuan’s most popular and enduring ripe blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1507\" data-start=\"771\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"780\" data-start=\"771\"\u003eT8663\u003c\/strong\u003e is the \u003cstrong data-is-only-node=\"\" data-end=\"804\" data-start=\"788\"\u003eiron-pressed\u003c\/strong\u003e (T = \u003cem data-end=\"815\" data-start=\"810\"\u003eTie\u003c\/em\u003e, “iron”) version of the same recipe, introduced to satisfy demand for a denser, more durable form that ages slowly and consistently. Iron pressing has long been a XiaGuan specialty, producing extremely tight cakes that open gradually and maintain their flavor integrity over many years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1507\" data-start=\"771\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich one should you get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e  \u003c\/strong\u003eOur suggestion:  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry them all!  Their price is quite affordable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStock up on whichever you like the most, to age at home and share with friends in years to come.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 102, 244);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 8653 is available in boxes of 7, if you choose this format.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mp.weixin.qq.com\/s\/6OZUJTjr_uOa8kBdEHbCOA\" title=\"Xiaguan Tuo 8653 Recipe\"\u003eThis is an article from Xiaguan's Beijing flagship store about this iconic recipe.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea has fantastic aging potential!  \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en-ca\/search?type=product\u0026amp;q=8653*\" title=\"Xiaguan 8653\"\u003eCheck out this post from the good folks at Yunnan Sourcing, with a 2001 T8653 exceeding $600!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2014 T8663 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51402895720759,"sku":null,"price":71.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 8663 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51402909548855,"sku":null,"price":71.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2014 T8663 CASE 7 X 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51402910073143,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2015 8663 CASE 7 X 357g Iron Cake","offer_id":51402928914743,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-classic-8663-and-t-8663-2014-cooked-pu-er-1988056.jpg?v=1764327747"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-jia-ji-tuo-2009-2013-2014-aged-raw-pu-er","title":"Xiaguan Jia Ji Tuo | 2009, 2013, 2014  Aged Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(15, 109, 250);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXiaguan Jia Ji Tuo Cha (甲級沱茶)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a legendary \u003cstrong\u003eraw Pu Er (sheng cha)\u003c\/strong\u003e that has been enjoyed for generations since its debut in the early 1950s. Pressed into Xiaguan’s iconic 100-gram tuo and wrapped in classic pine-green paper, this tea offers a bold, invigorating profile with remarkable ageing potential. Affordable, dependable, and deeply satisfying, Jia Ji Tuo is the kind of everyday Pu Er that quickly earns a permanent place in your tea shelf—whether you drink it young or lay it down to transform with time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"173\" data-end=\"615\"\u003eFirst developed in the \u003cstrong data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"386\"\u003eearly 1950s\u003c\/strong\u003e, with regular production beginning around \u003cstrong data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"437\"\u003e1951\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Jia Ji recipe has been in continuous production for more than \u003cstrong data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"522\"\u003eseven decades\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it one of the longest-running and most recognisable factory Pu Er teas in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"617\" data-end=\"984\"\u003eJia Ji Tuo has long served as the benchmark for everyday sheng Pu Er—reliable, assertive, and built for long-term ageing. Its accessibility and consistency have made it a staple for daily drinking, while its structure and durability have earned it a loyal following among collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1470\"\u003eThe name \u003cstrong data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1007\"\u003e“Jia Ji”\u003c\/strong\u003e translates to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1022\" data-end=\"1040\"\u003e“First Grade,”\u003c\/strong\u003e referring to the original factory grading system rather than delicacy. Unlike bud-heavy premium grades, Jia Ji is blended with a higher proportion of mature leaves sourced from Yunnan’s large-leaf tea regions, favouring strength, balance, and longevity. This approach reflects the utilitarian origins of the recipe, which was designed to withstand transport, storage, and long ageing while delivering a distinctly bold character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1572\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1481\"\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raw Pu Er (Sheng Cha)\u003cbr data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1506\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1506\" data-end=\"1519\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yunnan Da Ye Zhong (Large-leaf varietal), sun-dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1643\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1643\"\u003eThe “First Grade” Character: Structure, Power, and Longevity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"2023\"\u003eThe defining feature of Jia Ji Tuo lies in its leaf selection and blending philosophy. Emphasizing mature leaf material over buds, the tea presents firm bitterness, mineral weight, and a cooling, persistent aftertaste (hui gan). These qualities provide the backbone necessary for steady, transformative ageing, gradually yielding sweetness, medicinal notes, and depth over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2025\" data-end=\"2097\"\u003eThese teas have been dry aged in Richmond, British Columbia, since 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich one should you get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e  \u003c\/strong\u003eOur suggestion:  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry them all!  Their price is quite affordable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStock up on whichever you like the most, to age at home and share with friends in years to come.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2014 5 X 100g Tuo","offer_id":51493103468855,"sku":null,"price":91.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2009 100g Tuo","offer_id":51493103370551,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 100g Tuo","offer_id":51493334647095,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2010 5 X 100g Tuo","offer_id":51493314822455,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-jia-ji-tuo-2009-2013-2014-aged-raw-pu-er-4051846.jpg?v=1766570231"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-plateau-aged-2014-raw-pu-er-iron-cake-357g","title":"XIAGUAN HIGH PLATEAU MATURED | 2014 Raw Pu Er Iron Cake, 357g","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"604\" data-start=\"117\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(55, 39, 231);\"\u003eThis rare \u003cstrong data-end=\"170\" data-start=\"127\"\u003eXiaguan Tuocha Iron Cake (铁饼, tie bing)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a study in patience, altitude, and craft. The tea began its life as \u003cstrong data-end=\"281\" data-start=\"242\"\u003eraw pu-er maocha harvested in 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown high in the Yunnan plateau near \u003cstrong data-end=\"329\" data-start=\"321\"\u003eDali\u003c\/strong\u003e, where cool nights, intense sun, and thin mountain air slow the leaf’s growth and deepen its structure. Rather than being rushed into form, the loose leaf was \u003cstrong data-end=\"535\" data-start=\"489\"\u003eaged for seven full years in the highlands\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing bitterness to soften and complexity to quietly accumulate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"906\" data-start=\"606\"\u003eIn \u003cstrong data-end=\"617\" data-start=\"609\"\u003e2014\u003c\/strong\u003e, Xiaguan pressed the tea into an iron cake using \u003cstrong data-end=\"732\" data-start=\"667\"\u003esteam made from snow-melt water drawn from Cang Mountain (苍山)\u003c\/strong\u003e—a detail that nods to centuries of regional tea tradition and adds a subtle clarity to the finished cake. The result is a dense, slow-aging press built for the long journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1178\" data-start=\"908\"\u003eSince \u003cstrong data-end=\"922\" data-start=\"914\"\u003e2015\u003c\/strong\u003e, this tea has continued its evolution in \u003cstrong data-end=\"984\" data-start=\"964\"\u003eBritish Columbia\u003c\/strong\u003e, resting in a cool, stable coastal climate that encourages elegance over aggression. Time has rounded the edges while preserving the high-altitude energy that defines classic Xiaguan character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1309\" data-start=\"1180\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1197\" data-start=\"1180\"\u003eChinese name:\u003c\/strong\u003e 高原陈铁饼 (\u003cem data-end=\"1234\" data-start=\"1205\"\u003eHigh-Plateau Aged Iron Cake\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr data-end=\"1238\" data-start=\"1235\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1247\" data-start=\"1238\"\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raw (Sheng) Pu-erh\u003cbr data-end=\"1269\" data-start=\"1266\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1281\" data-start=\"1269\"\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2007\u003cbr data-end=\"1289\" data-start=\"1286\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1302\" data-start=\"1289\"\u003ePressing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2014\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1411\" data-start=\"1311\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1411\" data-start=\"1311\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTranslation of the Nei Fei (inner label)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Plateau Aged Qizi Cake Tea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntense tectonic movements three million years ago caused the Yunnan Plateau to rise abruptly from the seabed. As the ancient saying goes, “It grows one zhang in a day—Yunnan is in the heavens,” vividly illustrating the region’s unique and superior natural conditions: low latitude, high elevation, and a distinctive monsoon climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yunnan Plateau enjoys mild annual temperature variation with large differences between day and night; clearly defined dry and wet seasons, with a long dry season (November–April) and little rainfall, and a short rainy season (June–August) with heavy precipitation accounting for 85% of the annual total. Sunshine is intense, rainfall abundant, frost-free periods are long, and the region’s vertical, three-dimensional climate is especially pronounced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDali lies at the watershed between the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains. Warm air currents from the Indian Ocean surge through the long, broad valleys between the Cangshan and Ailao mountain ranges, forming the world-renowned “Xiaguan Wind.” This phenomenon keeps Xiaguan in Dali—historically the heart of China’s Tea Horse Road—warm year-round, with an average humidity of only 60%, creating a uniquely distinctive regional climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Xiaguan Tuocha Company, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, sits directly upwind of the Xiaguan Wind, where the air is exceptionally clean and fresh. Within this distinctive monsoon climate, premium early-spring Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea is stored for 7–8 years, then crafted using the century-old techniques of Xiaguan Tuocha: steaming with snowmelt spring water from Cangshan Mountain and naturally air-drying in the Xiaguan Wind, among other classic and unique processes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting \u003cstrong\u003eHigh Plateau Aged Qizi Cake Tea\u003c\/strong\u003e is refined and elegant, distinguished by its lofty, unique aroma and rich, expansive, mellow flavor. It is a rare and exceptional tea, offered as a true kindred spirit to tea lovers at home and abroad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYunnan Xiaguan Tuocha (Group) Co., Ltd.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiaguan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1411\" data-start=\"1311\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"357g Cake","offer_id":51603837944119,"sku":null,"price":88.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Box:  7 X 357g","offer_id":51603837976887,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-high-plateau-matured-2014-raw-pu-er-iron-cake-357g-8762273.jpg?v=1769222416"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-high-plateau-matured-2014-raw-pu-er-iron-cake-357g-copy","title":"111 ANNIVERSARY XIAGUAN TUO ZHI YUAN | 2013 Raw Pu Er Tuo, 100g","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(34, 15, 245);\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003e2013 Xiaguan 111th Anniversary \u003cem\u003eTuo Zhi Yuan\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a collectible piece of history!  沱之源 translates as the \u003cem\u003e“Origin of Tuo”\u003c\/em\u003e; it was created to celebrate a very important anniversary of one of China's most celebrated tea companies.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company did not specify how many years the 'mao cha' was aged before pressing, but they typically wait at least 3-4 years before doing so.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiaguan's time-tested production methods are now classified as \u003cstrong\u003eintangible cultural heritage.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the cup, it expresses the classic Xiaguan profile: vibrant and assertive at first, gradually revealing floral sweetness, mineral clarity, and enduring huigan. This is a tea that is quite tasty now, but will be fantastic to drink in another 10 - 15 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"604\" data-start=\"117\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"100g Tuo","offer_id":51603865338167,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/111-anniversary-xiaguan-tuo-zhi-yuan-20143-raw-pu-er-tuo-100g-9554282.jpg?v=1769222412"},{"product_id":"111-anniversary-xiaguan-tuo-zhi-yuan-20143-raw-pu-er-tuo-100g-copy","title":"ZONG GUO TUO| Xiaguan 2015 Raw Pu Er Tuo, 365g","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"923\" data-start=\"303\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(31, 11, 249);\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-end=\"351\" data-start=\"307\"\u003e2015 \u003cem data-end=\"329\" data-start=\"314\"\u003eZhong Guo Tuo\u003c\/em\u003e (中国沱, Zhōngguó Tuó)\u003c\/strong\u003e is an extraordinary expression of \u003cem data-end=\"393\" data-start=\"386\"\u003esheng\u003c\/em\u003e (raw) pu er.  Unlike most of Xiaguan's popular blends, this tuo uses a higher grade blend:  \u003cstrong data-end=\"643\" data-start=\"598\"\u003eBulang Ancient Trees (布朗古树, Bùlǎng Gǔshù)\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-end=\"722\" data-start=\"645\"\u003eBangdong Daxueshan Large‑Bud Tips (邦东大雪山大芽毫, Bāngdōng Dàxuěshān Dà Yáháo)\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-end=\"809\" data-start=\"728\"\u003eMengku West Hills Big‑Tree Maocha (勐库西半山大树毛茶, Měngkù Xī Bànshān Dàshù Máochá).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1426\" data-start=\"925\"\u003eEach of these origins contributes unique character: old‑growth Bulang leaves bring \u003cstrong data-end=\"1031\" data-start=\"1008\"\u003estructure and depth\u003c\/strong\u003e, the high‑altitude Bangdong Daxueshan tips lend \u003cstrong data-end=\"1123\" data-start=\"1080\"\u003eintensity and altitudinal aromatic lift\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the robust big trees of Mengku’s west hills add \u003cstrong data-end=\"1205\" data-start=\"1177\"\u003erichness and persistence\u003c\/strong\u003e to the blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1931\" data-start=\"1428\"\u003eThis tea has been dry aged in British Columbia since 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout this collectible tea in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mp.weixin.qq.com\/s\/IzApdLKOBDNKWtWF1F2L8w\"\u003eXiaguan's page.\u003c\/a\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"117\" data-end=\"604\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"365g Tuo","offer_id":51603899941175,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_2561.jpg?v=1769137300"},{"product_id":"echoes-of-the-elders-2013-raw-mengku-pu-er","title":"ECHOES OF THE ELDERS | 2013 Raw Mengku Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 104, 246);\"\u003ePOWER AND GRACE.  These ancient tree leaves have strong energy and 'gan' expected from an old tree forest; at the same time, they display and elegance and fragrant nature that is reminiscent of traditional oolong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommissioned by our old friend Zhang Tao in 2013, stone pressed and carefully wrapped in traditional (Dai nation) handcrafted paper, these beautiful tea cakes have been aging in Vancouver since 2014.  He very kindly shared a few sets of these cakes to our tea bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is reminiscent of our bar favourite Writing of the Ancients.  If you've ever wondered about the concept of 'tea drunk', please try this!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003e Ba Nuo Village, Mengku, Yunnan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteward of the ancient trees:  \u003c\/strong\u003eTang Yongtao\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMENGKU (勐库) - OUTSTANDING TERROIR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1220\" data-start=\"191\"\u003eNestled in the subtropical mountains of Shuangjiang County (home of Lahu, Va, Bulang and Dai nations), Mengku is located at approximately 23.75° N, 99.90° E. The terrain is carved by tributaries of the Lancang River (also known as Mekong in Southeast Asia), rising toward the slopes of Da Xue Shan (Great Snow Mountain).  Most of the tea forest lives between 1,150m and 2,500m above sea level. The region experiences a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with annual precipitation commonly reported between 1,700 and 1,900 millimetres, frequent cloud cover, and mild winters that permit year-round vegetative growth. The soils are primarily lateritic red and yellow loams developed from granite and purple shale parent material, well drained yet rich in weathered mineral content. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2293\" data-start=\"1222\"\u003eIf you are a science geek, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12870-022-03633-6\"\u003ewe recommend digging into this peer-reviewed article, comparing Mengku's ancient and modern tea plantations.\u003c\/a\u003e  It turns out that  older gardens exhibit significantly higher soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available potassium (AK). These soils support diverse fungal and bacterial communities that enhance nutrient cycling and root uptake efficiency. The study further identified correlations between soil fertility and elevated concentrations of free amino acids, gallic acid, and catechins in fresh tea leaves, compounds central to sweetness, structure, and astringency balance in finished Pu Er. The deep humus layers characteristic of ancient groves moderate moisture retention during the dry season while permitting sufficient drainage during monsoon rains, contributing to steady physiological development rather than rapid, dilute growth. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3301\" data-start=\"3298\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3317\" data-start=\"3303\"\u003eReferences\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3607\" data-start=\"3319\"\u003eYang, Guangrong, et al. 2022. “HPLC and High-Throughput Sequencing Revealed Higher Tea-Leaves Quality, Soil Fertility and Microbial Community Diversity in Ancient Tea Plantations.” \u003cem data-end=\"3519\" data-start=\"3500\"\u003eBMC Plant Biology\u003c\/em\u003e 22: 313. BioMed Central (Springer Nature). \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-end=\"3605\" data-start=\"3563\"\u003ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12870-022-03633-6\u003cspan class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-5iu26a3k.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3792\" data-start=\"3609\"\u003e中国大百科全书 (China Encyclopedia Editorial Board). 2023. “勐库大叶种茶.” \u003cem data-end=\"3719\" data-start=\"3671\"\u003e中国大百科全书 (Encyclopedia of China Online Edition)\u003c\/em\u003e. Beijing: Encyclopedia of China Publishing House. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-end=\"3790\" data-start=\"3770\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.zgbk.com\u003cspan class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-5iu26a3k.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4038\" data-start=\"3794\"\u003e双江拉祜佤布朗傣族自治县人民政府 (Shuangjiang Lahu, Va, Bulang and Dai Autonomous County People’s Government). Various statistical and geographic reports on regional climate, elevation, and agricultural conditions. Shuangjiang County Government Publications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4038\" data-start=\"3794\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/ae98ebc99cd13bfa0e794027ae29bb82.jpg?v=1771101149\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4038\" data-start=\"3794\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTea teacher Zhang Tao in Mengku\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4038\" data-start=\"3794\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/46a8297a7cf1027576fead60ce840579.jpg?v=1771101183\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4038\" data-start=\"3794\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncient tea tree harvest in Mengku, 2013\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_1104.jpg?v=1771021701\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_1385.jpg?v=1771021702\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_1101.jpg?v=1771021701\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"40g Sample","offer_id":51681265320247,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"357g Cake","offer_id":51681265353015,"sku":null,"price":155.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong, 7 X 357g Cake","offer_id":51681311359287,"sku":null,"price":888.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/echoes-of-the-elders-2013-raw-mengku-pu-er-4360006.jpg?v=1771044669"},{"product_id":"pu-er-nuggets-2015-copy","title":"DATE DRIFT | Bamboo \"Little Tea Heads\"  (Cooked)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 104, 247);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA super rich, syrupy pu er with notes of Turkish dates, red jujube and brown sugar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea was pressed, steamed and dried in bamboo, imparting a silky smooth nature to the leaves.  Please note that every piece of bamboo has a different diameter; empirically, we estimate that each piece may contain +\/- 5% of the declared content of 300g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Xiao Cha Tou (\"Little Tea Heads\")?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"22\"\u003eIf you love cooked pu er, you must try Xiao Cha Tou (小茶头)! \u003c\/strong\u003e These are dense little  nuggets that are formed during wet-piling fermentation. In this process, some leaves naturally knit together into small clusters; those compact pieces are later sorted out and appreciated on their own for the way they brew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003eRather than behaving like a loose ripe pu err from the first pour, Xiao Cha Tou tends to open gradually, releasing a darker, thicker liquor with a rounded texture and a calm, steady sweetness. They tea have gained cult following in some circles because the compressed nuggets undergo a unique micro-fermentation environment; their interior of\u003cbr\u003etraps moisture and ferments anaerobically, producing distinctive dried-fruit and jujube\u003cbr\u003earomas not found in standard cooked pu er.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003eTea heads are fairly rare, accounting for only 0.8-1.5% of total production!\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e   Huazhu Liangzi (Yunnan)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:  \u003c\/strong\u003e2024 (using 2023 leaves)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing recommendation:  \u003c\/strong\u003e8g tea \/ 110g water, 15\", \u0026gt;15 steeps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2109\" data-end=\"2176\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003csup data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"632\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse fill=\"currentColor\" href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9hg9v\" data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1562\"\u003eFan Xiuli and Gao Feng - in person tea class.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9hg9v\" id=\"user-content-fn-1\" data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1562\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1349\"\u003e地理标志产品 普洱茶 \/ Product of Geographical Indication - Pu’er Tea\u003c\/em\u003e; Standardization Administration of China platform; 2008 standard, status page updated 2025. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1442\" data-end=\"1522\"\u003ehttps:\/\/std.samr.gov.cn\/gb\/search\/gbDetailed?id=71F772D77589D3A7E05397BE0A0AB82A\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca data-footnote-backref=\"\" aria-label=\"Back to reference 1-2\" class=\"decorated-link data-footnote-backref cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1anuhlx\" id=\"user-content-fn-2\" data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1671\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1569\" data-end=\"1582\"\u003e从“渥堆”认识普洱熟茶\u003c\/em\u003e; 云南网 (Yunnan.cn); 8 May 2021. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003ehttps:\/\/txpe.yunnan.cn\/system\/2021\/05\/08\/031437086.shtml\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca data-footnote-backref=\"\" aria-label=\"Back to reference 2-2\" class=\"decorated-link data-footnote-backref cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1v0hg0a\" id=\"user-content-fn-3\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1840\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1678\" data-end=\"1689\"\u003e【茶与健康】老茶头\u003c\/em\u003e; 上海中医药大学博物馆 (Museum, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine); 5 November 2025. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1782\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003ehttps:\/\/bwg.shutcm.edu.cn\/2025\/1105\/c889a169907\/page.htm\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca data-footnote-backref=\"\" aria-label=\"Back to reference 3\" class=\"decorated-link data-footnote-backref cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"uspeha\" id=\"user-content-fn-4\" data-start=\"1841\" data-end=\"1969\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1861\"\u003e云南大叶种茶树叶有多大？\u003c\/em\u003e; 中国科普博览 (kepu.gov.cn); 9 May 2021. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"1967\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.kepu.gov.cn\/expert\/tongyun\/2021-05\/09\/content_1740268.html\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca data-footnote-backref=\"\" aria-label=\"Back to reference 4\" class=\"decorated-link data-footnote-backref cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1veicvt\" id=\"user-content-fn-5\" data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2176\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"1976\" data-end=\"2101\"\u003ePile-fermentation mechanism of ripened Pu-erh tea: Omics approach for quality formation and targeted directional regulation\u003c\/em\u003e; 2024. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2109\" data-end=\"2176\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0924224424000554\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"634\" data-end=\"1280\"\u003e\u003csup data-start=\"1276\" data-end=\"1280\"\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse fill=\"currentColor\" href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-lbtco6v1.svg#304883\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003csection data-footnotes=\"true\" class=\"footnotes\"\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\" itemprop=\"text\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis video was made a few years ago for a 2015 vintage of 'tea heads' by Fan \u0026amp; Gao.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jIeURTlxsZ8\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(18, 108, 243);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(18, 108, 243);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea Authors:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFan Xiuli and Gao Feng are featured often in our newsletters. They are Manchu people from Liaoning who moved to Yunnan because they love tea; it is also a most beautiful place to live and raise a family. Not only do they create some of O5’s favourite teas; they are also very well versed in painting, calligraphy, incense appreciation, ceramics, and culinary arts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_1454.jpg?v=1774668105\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_1467.jpg?v=1774668105\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4245_480x480.jpg?v=1604446815\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_3751_480x480.jpg?v=1604446834\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"30g","offer_id":51828057211191,"sku":"O5-527","price":33.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300g","offer_id":51828057276727,"sku":"O5-527","price":150.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/date-drift-bamboo-little-tea-heads-cooked-1658348.jpg?v=1774690511"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-ecological-iron-cake-2014-raw","title":"XIAGUAN ECOLOGICAL IRON CAKE. Limited Edition  | 2014 (Raw)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(41, 9, 246);\"\u003eDown to earth, very enjoyable Xiaguan with woody, slighly smoky notes (in the first few steeps) yielding way to  expressions of camphor, medicinal herbs, roasted chestnut and honey in latter steeps. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a special edition, relatively hard to find yet unpretentious \"iron cake\". It was pressed in 2014; Xiaguan does not provide much information about the recipe and harvest date of its components, but they typically age leaves 2-3 years before pressing cakes. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cakes have been aged in Vancouver since 2016; the leaves are quite dark for a fairly young iron cake, leading us to believe that the mao cha (loose leaf) was aged a bit more than the standard 2-3 years in Dali.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(15, 15, 15);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Suggestion:\u003c\/strong\u003e  7g tea \/ 110g water, 95°C, 15\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(15, 15, 15); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eTea Info:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(5, 5, 5);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e: Yunnan Xiaguan Tuocha Group Co., Ltd. (云南下关沱茶（集团）股份有限公司)\u003cbr data-end=\"188\" data-start=\"185\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea Name: \u003c\/strong\u003eXiaguan Ecological Qizi Bing, Specially Made (下关生态七子饼 特制)\u003cbr data-is-only-node=\"\" data-end=\"262\" data-start=\"259\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sheng \/ Raw Pu'er (生茶)\u003cbr data-end=\"297\" data-start=\"294\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 29, 2014\u003cbr data-end=\"335\" data-start=\"332\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 357g per cake; 2.5 kg per tong (7 cakes)\u003cbr data-end=\"390\" data-start=\"387\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompression:\u003c\/strong\u003e Iron Cake (铁饼) — machine-pressed, tight compression\u003cbr data-end=\"461\" data-start=\"458\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRaw Material: \u003c\/strong\u003eYunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea (云南大叶种晒青茶)\u003cbr data-end=\"601\" data-start=\"598\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dali, Yunnan (云南大理)\u003cbr data-end=\"635\" data-start=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Q\/XGT 0010 S\u003cbr data-end=\"672\" data-start=\"669\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction License:\u003c\/strong\u003e QS5329 1401 0004\u003cbr data-end=\"715\" data-start=\"712\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBarcode: \u003c\/strong\u003e6939989626366\u003cbr data-end=\"744\" data-start=\"741\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertifications: \u003c\/strong\u003eChina Time-honored Brand (中华老字号), ISO 9001, National Intangible Cultural Heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0948a6;\"\u003eFounded in 1902, Xiaguan is a company with a rich history, including caravans from Yunnan to Tibet and a leading part in the development of 'cooked' Pu Er in the 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"2014 Iron Cake","offer_id":51828301758775,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/xiaguan-ecological-iron-cake-limited-edition-2014-raw-4460632.jpg?v=1774690515"},{"product_id":"tuo-zhi-wei-xiaguan-2011-raw-pu-er-tuo-70g-limited","title":"70th ANNIVERSARY | Xiaguan 2011 Raw Pu Er Tuo, 70g - LImited","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"923\" data-start=\"303\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(31, 11, 249);\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-end=\"351\" data-start=\"307\"\u003e2011 \"Taste of Tuo\" (\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(34, 15, 245);\"\u003e沱之味, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(31, 11, 249);\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"351\" data-start=\"307\"\u003eTuo Zhi Wei)\u003c\/strong\u003e is special edition raw pu er to celebrate the 70th anniversay of the Kan Zhang tea factory, created in 1941 to supply Tibetan populations across Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"923\" data-start=\"303\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #1f0bf9;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(31, 11, 249);\"\u003eThough Xiaguan did not specify information about the formula used for this tuo, the size, shape and integrity of the leaves reveals a premium picking standard. The size of the tuo is also very interesting, at 70g.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1931\" data-start=\"1428\"\u003eThe tea experience is quite unique among Xiaguan products; instead of the characteristic charcoal fired notes the tea presents a wide array of aromas reminiscent of Yunnan's rainforests. The leaves are also less tightly pressed (vs. other Xiaguan tuo), allowing the leaves to \"breathe\" and mature faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1931\" data-start=\"1428\"\u003eThis tea has been dry aged in British Columbia since 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_4348.jpg?v=1778874559\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInscription on the box:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRhapsody on the Source of Tuocha” \/ “Ode to the Origin of Tuo Tea”**\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCangshan and Erhai nurture beauty;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ein the south of the Colorful Clouds,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003egentle winds blow softly,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand streams murmur on.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis frontier town stands proudly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eat the hub of the ancient Tea-Horse Road;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ethis old capital of Nanzhao crosses\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ethe perilous passes toward Kang and Tibet.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHere the land is blessed, and talented people gather in Yunnan.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe tea is mellow and fragrant,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003efully endowed with the gifts of nature.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen tea was shaped into tuo,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eit opened a new era of compressed tea;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand because tuocha has its source,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eit crowns a new chapter in Pu’er tea.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand contains the refined essence of a thousand years of civilization.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eXiaguan Tuocha is a fine tea\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003emade from Yunnan large-leaf varietal.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt comes from tea country\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eamid the mist-wrapped mountains and green springs of Yunnan.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWith more than a century of accumulation\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand seventy years of inheritance,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eits craftsmanship is refined,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eits blending is skillful,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand it is a treasure among teas,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003egrowing more fragrant with time.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe predecessors devoted their hearts\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand endured many hardships;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003elater generations set their ambitions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand wrote a splendid new chapter.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt has repeatedly taken honors\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eat international food festivals,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003espreading its fame across the five continents;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eit has several times received awards\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ein the halls of Kyoto,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ebringing glory across the four seas.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBorder tea entered Tibet,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003estrengthening ethnic unity;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003etuocha crossed the oceans,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003elinking overseas trade houses.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWith standardized management,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eit became a national second-level enterprise;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ewith leading technology,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eit entered the national tea research center.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIts marketing network was established,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand quality and integrity together won the market.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt was joyfully included\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ein the list of “intangible cultural heritage,”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eand recognized in the record of “place of origin.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the tea world, one can trace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ethe source of tuocha back to this origin,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eestablishing the benchmark of Erhai tuocha;\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003etea people continue to open new paths in tea,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ewith the ambition to build this cause together.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe road ahead is long,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eyet the achievements shine brightly.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeeking up and down without cease,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ethe enterprise renews itself day by day.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"117\" data-end=\"604\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"117\" data-end=\"604\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiaguan Tuo Cha has its roots in the historic tea-trading town of Xiaguan, Yunnan, where compressed tea was produced for caravan routes into Sichuan, Tibet, and beyond. Although Xiaguan dates the origin of its tuocha tradition to 1902, the modern factory lineage began in 1941 with the founding of \u003cstrong\u003eKangzang Tea Factory\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e康藏茶厂\u003c\/strong\u003e, sometimes romanized as \u003cstrong\u003eKan Zhang \/ Kang Tsang\u003c\/strong\u003e — which specialized in compressed teas for Tibetan and frontier markets. Over time, this operation evolved into today’s \u003cstrong\u003eXiaguan Tea Factory \/ Yunnan Xiaguan Tuocha Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e, encompassing important sub-brands and marks such as \u003cstrong\u003eBao Yan\u003c\/strong\u003e or “Sacred Flame,” associated with Tibetan-market mushroom teas, as well as the famous \u003cstrong\u003eSong He\u003c\/strong\u003e or “Pine Crane” mark used on many classic Xiaguan tuocha and puerh products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"70g Tuo","offer_id":52150649749815,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stack 10 X 70g","offer_id":52150772072759,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/70th-anniversary-xiaguan-2011-raw-pu-er-tuo-70g-limited-4991423.jpg?v=1778916376"},{"product_id":"mist-memory-dragon-bamboo-aged-2006-raw-pu-er","title":"MIST \u0026 MEMORY | Dragon Bamboo Aged, 2006 Raw Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(8, 104, 247);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature Bulang: \u003cspan\u003edark leaf, assertive bitterness, thick liquor, resinous forest depth, and 'hui gan' (returning sweetness) that feels less like sugar than like mountain air clearing after the rain. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur old friend Zhang Tao supervised and participated in the production of these two massive tea containers (~ 13kg and 15kg respectively) in 2006. The tea was initially stored in Guangdong and was transferred to Vancouver in 2014, where it has been kept in dry storage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brew still feels very powerful (i.e. it needs a few more years to become mellow), but the leaves have noticeably turned from dark green to golden brown; it is clearly not a young tea anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen drinking this tea, give yourself some time for the sweet mouthfeel to develop. We also suggest drinking it early in the day, as the uplifting energy of these ancient tree leaves is still quite powerful.  \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e   Bulang Shan (Yunnan)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:  \u003c\/strong\u003eMarch 2006\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing recommendation: \u003c\/strong\u003e6g tea \/ 110g water @ 95°C, 15\", \u0026gt;15 steeps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"632\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRinse once or twice before drinking; bamboo is not an airtight (and dust proof) container.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/8b2d3f0a6302dceb55b3c65409ba5ca5_480x480.jpg?v=1779829124\" alt=\"Bulang Shan ancient tea trees\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/ce35c567bf44684774665e206077085a_480x480.jpg?v=1779829124\" alt=\"Bulang Shan Tea Growers\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/90bd0880cfb71c2c53c80684a222f4b4_480x480.jpg?v=1779829124\" alt=\"Bulang Shan Raw Pu Er\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/02e983ea1515f3f6dad54cf047c4124a_480x480.jpg?v=1779829124\" alt=\"Bulang Shan Firing Pu Er\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 102, 241);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: Bulang Mountain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBulang Shan, in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, near the China–Myanmar border, is a high-relief pu’er tea landscape centred around roughly 21.58° N, 100.41° E, where subtropical monsoon climate, forest cover, mist, and elevations from about 535 to 2,082 metres shape some of China’s most powerful large-leaf teas. Its tea gardens lie among rivers of the Lancang–Mekong system, evergreen and seasonal tropical forests, and acidic, well-drained mountain soils enriched by organic matter from shaded old-growth and semi-forested gardens. Long associated with the Bulang people, one of the region’s early tea-cultivating communities, the mountain is known for ancient tea-tree populations and famous villages such as Lao Banzhang, Xin Banzhang, Lao Man’e, and Manxinlong. Its teas are usually made from Yunnan large-leaf material into sun-dried maocha for raw or ripe pu’er, with a signature profile of dense liquor, strong bitterness, deep forest aromatics, and a persistent returning sweetness that reflects Bulang Shan’s humid, mineral, forested borderland terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"50g","offer_id":52210293702967,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":52210293735735,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g","offer_id":52210408423735,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500g","offer_id":52210417074487,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/mist-memory-dragon-bamboo-aged-2006-raw-pu-er-1021681.png?v=1779910687"},{"product_id":"xiaguan-2006-1kg-set-50th-anniversary-dali","title":"XIAGUAN 2006 1kg SET | 50th Anniversary, Dali","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"303\" data-end=\"923\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(31, 11, 249);\"\u003eA premium, collectible set containing \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e1kg\u003c\/span\u003e of Xiaguan tea from 2006! Created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1931\"\u003eThis is a quite a rare product from Xiaguan, designed to be sold locally (in Dali). We were fortunate to acquire 8 pieces thanks to or friend Zhang Tao's very close relationship with the leadership at Xiaguan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1931\"\u003eThis tea has been dry aged in British Columbia since 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant: \u003c\/strong\u003eplease note that all of our 8 boxes came in pretty good shape, but they are 20 years old. Some present small tears or nicks, which is normal for boxes of tea stored over a couple of decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"604\" data-start=\"117\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"604\" data-start=\"117\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 72, 166); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Xiaguan Tuo Cha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiaguan Tuo Cha has its roots in the historic tea-trading town of Xiaguan, Yunnan, where compressed tea was produced for caravan routes into Sichuan, Tibet, and beyond. Although Xiaguan dates the origin of its tuocha tradition to 1902, the modern factory lineage began in 1941 with the founding of \u003cstrong\u003eKangzang Tea Factory\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e康藏茶厂\u003c\/strong\u003e, sometimes romanized as \u003cstrong\u003eKan Zhang \/ Kang Tsang\u003c\/strong\u003e — which specialized in compressed teas for Tibetan and frontier markets. Over time, this operation evolved into today’s \u003cstrong\u003eXiaguan Tea Factory \/ Yunnan Xiaguan Tuocha Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e, encompassing important sub-brands and marks such as \u003cstrong\u003eBao Yan\u003c\/strong\u003e or “Sacred Flame,” associated with Tibetan-market mushroom teas, as well as the famous \u003cstrong\u003eSong He\u003c\/strong\u003e or “Pine Crane” mark used on many classic Xiaguan tuocha and puerh products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"iconbox_content_container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Xiaguan Tuo Cha","offers":[{"title":"1kg set: 500g Raw + 500g Cooked","offer_id":52645892292919,"sku":null,"price":360.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_0027.jpg?v=1783721549"},{"product_id":"raw-xi-gui-mengku-pu-er","title":"PINE AND WIND | 2015 Raw Xi Gui Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(11, 106, 249);\"\u003eINTENSITY AND SWEETNESS. This Xi Gui (Lincang area) pu er starts with an nose reminicent of fresh pine needles and ends with the sweetness of pine pollen. Excellent mouthfeel. Still youthful, this tea has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 10 to 15 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired from the collection of our generous friend Zhang Tao, these tea cakes have beautifully picked small leaves and offer a highly appealing 'tea drunk' experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur suggestion: get at least two; drink one now and the rest in a few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eXi Gui, Lincang, Yunnan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteward of the ancient trees: \u003c\/strong\u003eLiao Hongzhong\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing: \u003c\/strong\u003e2015 (likely with 2014 or 2013 leaves)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXIGUI - MUST EXPLORE TEA ORIGIN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXigui trees grow on the steep slopes of Manglu Mountain, where the land falls sharply toward the Lancang River. The gardens sit in a warm, humid river-valley climate, with strong sun, moving air and frequent moisture rising from below. The terrain drains quickly, and the old tea trees grow in deeply weathered red soils among mixed forest vegetation. This combination of heat, slope, moisture and well-drained soil gives Xigui tea its characteristic intensity: aromatic, concentrated and energetic, yet capable of remarkable clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2015 raw pu’er captures that landscape beautifully. It opens with the fresh, resinous scent of pine needles, then develops a softer sweetness reminiscent of pine pollen. The liquor has excellent weight and texture, with enough strength to feel vivid without becoming coarse. Xigui is worth exploring because few terroirs balance power and sweetness so naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"40g Sample","offer_id":52646388629815,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Cake","offer_id":52646388662583,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Box, 2 X 200g Cake","offer_id":52646388695351,"sku":null,"price":777.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/pine-and-wind-2015-raw-xi-gui-mengku-pu-er-6412555.jpg?v=1783805111"},{"product_id":"frost-and-honey-2015-raw-mengku-pu-er","title":"FROST AND HONEY | 2015 Raw Mengku Pu Er","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(11, 106, 249);\"\u003eBright, crisp, powerful. This tea offers a wild honey nose a very crisp (mountain breeze reminiscent) mouthfeel and a sweet finish; it feels very energizing as you drink it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(11, 106, 249);\"\u003eStill youthful, this tea has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 10 to 15 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcquired from the collection of our generous friend Zhang Tao, these tea cakes have beautifully picked small leaves and offer a highly appealing 'tea drunk' experience.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur suggestion: get at least two; drink one now and the rest in a few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003ethe label reports 'Bing Dao', but we believe that these tea cakes most likely include leaves from other villages in the broader Mengku region. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer: \u003c\/strong\u003eLiao Hongzhong\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing: \u003c\/strong\u003e2015 (likely with 2014 or 2013 leaves)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"40g Sample","offer_id":52659184238903,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Cake","offer_id":52659184271671,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Box, 6 X 200g Cake","offer_id":52659184304439,"sku":null,"price":777.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_0056.jpg?v=1784144389"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/collections\/pu-er-223313.jpg?v=1776881938","url":"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/collections\/pu-er.oembed?page=3","provider":"O5 RARE TEA BAR","version":"1.0","type":"link"}