-Vintage: Spring 2008
-Growing Region: Yi Wu Mountain, Mengla County, Xishuangbana, Yunnan
Yi Wu mountain is located in Mengla County, Xishuangbana Prefecture in the far south of Yunnan Province. It is a well known growing area for excellent quality, mild flavored Pu-Erh. In early Spring 2008, Yi Wu Mountain tea was picked and processed, then lightly compressed into lengths of an aromatic subspecies of bamboo native to Southern Yunnan. Traditionally, the bamboo tubes were then roasted over a wood fire dry out the tea and the bamboo for storage. In this case, the tea-filled bamboo sections were then baked in a low temperature oven room to dry them out and to prevent mold from forming. These oven rooms are sometimes used in the manufacture of the more commercial forms of Pu-Erh tea also to prevent mold formation from the moisture that has to be added during the compression process. During this low temperature bake-drying process, the aromatic compounds in the bamboo permeate the tea leaves and infuse them with a beautifully vivid & unique sweetness.
The steeped liquor is a lovely deep amber-gold, and it is good for several infusions when steeped Gong Fu style. Highly recommended for people new to Pu-Erh tea.