Spring 2014 Kunlu Mountain Small Arbor Tree Sheng

Tea type
Pu'erh Tea
Ingredients
Pu Erh Tea
Flavors
Bitter, Floral, Pineapple, Tropical
Sold in
Bulk, Loose Leaf
Caffeine
Medium
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by Crimson Lotus Tea
Average preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 0 min, 15 sec 7 g 3 oz / 100 ml

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2 Tasting Notes View all

  • “From the Pu’er TTB (I think it was 2nd round?) A really floral sheng! Early steepings were fruity pineapple and floral, with middle steepings developing a bitterness, steamed greens and even more...” Read full tasting note
    85
  • “I first tried this tea (and most of my Crimson Lotus experiences) because of Mr. Veck’s epic pu starter pack. Kunlu is a bit of a different offering, I saw it was really valued in the ancient...” Read full tasting note
    90

From Crimson Lotus Tea

Kunlu Shan Small Arbor Tree
‘Xiao Qiao Mu’ ( 困鹿山 ‘小乔木’ )
In the Spring of 2014 my wife and I spent 3 months in Yunnan, China; the home of puerh tea. We walked the Ancient Tea Horse Road, we explored the tea markets, and we visited 6 unique tea mountains. In each of these mountains live traditional minority tea farmers whose families have worked the land cultivating puerh tea for countless generations. This tea was entirely hand picked and hand processed. This tea reflects both the unique regional terroir, and the individual skill of the farmer who is responsible for turning raw leaf into puerh tea.

The tea from Kunlu Shan ( pronounced ‘coon loo shah-n’ ) was so highly prized in the Qing Dynasty that the Chinese Emperor quartered a portion of his army here to ensure his tribute. In Spring, Kunlu Shan is dry, dusty, and littered with scrub pine. The terroir is remarkably similar to the Alpine climate of the Eastern Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The farmers we work with take great pride in their tea.

This cake was processed with younger trees the farmers called ‘Xiao Qiao Mu’ ( this means ‘small arbor tree’ and is pronounced ‘shao chow moo’ ). They also have a number of larger and older trees they call Gu Shu ( ‘ancient tree’ ). Market prices put those trees out of our price range.

Prefecture: Pu’er
Village: #10
Tree Age: under 100 years old
Elevation: 1644m
Brewing Instructions

Add 6 ounces of boiling water to 5 grams of leaf. Rinse once for 3 seconds. Steep quickly for 6 seconds. This tea is generous and can be resteeped many times. Add 10-15 seconds each re-steep.

About Crimson Lotus Tea View company

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2 Tasting Notes

85
1271 tasting notes

From the Pu’er TTB (I think it was 2nd round?)

A really floral sheng! Early steepings were fruity pineapple and floral, with middle steepings developing a bitterness, steamed greens and even more floral. The last steepings, around 12 or so (I lost count) was creamy fruity and guess what, more floral.

Very much a spring inspired tea session. This one isn’t a gentle sheng either, it’s got a good amount of punch to it, perfect to pull you out of any winter blues.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 0 min, 15 sec 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Crimson Lotus Tea

I haven’t tried this one in a while. Maybe I should brew some up today too. Thanks for the review!

Zennenn

Thank you for this tasting note. One for my wishlist!

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90
38 tasting notes

I first tried this tea (and most of my Crimson Lotus experiences) because of Mr. Veck’s epic pu starter pack. Kunlu is a bit of a different offering, I saw it was really valued in the ancient times, but from what I gather it isn’t marketed as much these days because the leaves aren’t as pretty as some. While literature says that, I don’t believe them. I think Glen’s cakes look just lovely!

Kunlu reminds me a bit of bulang, but more astringent. I have had this tea many times and I keep getting: muted classic bulang bitterness, pineapple and tuberose flowers. No one else I’ve talked to who has had this tea has found those notes… so I must be on some kind of Kunlu mega high.

I’m really excited about the 2015 Kunlu, because if the really young trees this was made from had those types of flavors… imagine how gushu will capture them!

TL:DR: For me, Kunlu = Bulang on a Beach. I’ve sent samples to a few other people who haven’t gotten that, so your milage may vary.

Flavors: Bitter, Floral, Pineapple, Tropical

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 0 min, 15 sec 8 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Stephanie

Nice review Phi!

kieblera5

Glen has lovely cakes :P

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