Ancient Wild White

Made from wild foraged pu'erh leaves, Mr. Tang crafted this tea for the first time in 2023, creating something we rarely see done with the leaves of ancient pu'erh trees.

These pu'erh trees were planted by the ancestors of local indigenous tribes over a thousand years ago, in a steep jungle terrain remote from any villages. Unlike cultivated tea trees, wild trees only sprout once each spring, making their single bursts of life particularly valued.

Leaves are gathered at the beginning of spring, then processed very carefully to preserve as much of their enzymes and vitality as possible. To do this, Mr. Tang spreads them out on bamboo mats to wither, with rounds of gentle piling that initiate a subtle micro-fermentation. They dry naturally under the cool alpine sun and the dried leaves are stored in large clay jars for one month to deepen their aroma and taste. Then they are roasted over a gentle flame, using as little heat as possible, before being steam-pressed into small tea cakes.

The bright green, paper thin tea cakes look as precious and refined as this tea truly is. The leaves revitalize instantly in the gaiwan, appearing as though they were picked yesterday. They smell tropical, like dehydrated pineapple and coconut nectar, and glow with colour. Tropical notes appear on the palate as well: we taste fresh longan and fruit peel, amidst a bouquet of roses.

Foraged in such an extreme landscape, this tea bears the markers of its wilderness. Mr. Tang has managed to preserve its wildness, something no cultivation could ever imitate, while producing one of the most elegant teas we carry. Its energetics feel both grounding and expansive, offering comfort and clarity in equal measure. This tea will last for around ten infusions, with all of its sweetness and unmediated presence intact.