2006 Sipuyuan Seal Script Edition

For lovers of smooth sweetness.

This tea comes from the Sipuyuan line of Sheng Pu’er, produced by Changtai Tea Factory in its second year after they acquired a new factory location in Jiangcheng in 2005. The Seal Script edition was produced specifically for distributors and is said to contain some old tree material from the area.

I tried this tea several years ago when it was in a more youthful state. It quickly became one of my favourites from the entire Changtai lineup, so I’m proud to bring it to Nannuoshan after it has had more time to mature, now being close to that auspicious 20-year mark.

Sweet and comforting like a warm embrace on a cold winter night, its dark leaves invite to indulge, with wafts of sweet wood and dried fruits undulating around the nostrils after being woken up with the first splash of hot water. A dark orange liquor shows clarity with a sense of weight when pouring from the pitcher into the cup. It’s not too heavy in the mouth, allowing you to drink at your own pace, whether you want to go fast and drink a lot or you want to savor every single sip. However, the latter approach is rewarded by a sweet aftertaste that stays in the mouth for long after you finish drinking.

This tea will ground you in the here and now, making you calm down and appreciate every moment. Pay close attention to how it makes you feel—it is best drunk not just with the palate, but with the body as well. Leave your stress and worries at the front door when you sit down for a session.

Written by Sigi