Dominating Banzhang Shou Puerh Tea Cake 2018 - 357g Premium Ancient Tree

Premium 2018 Dominating Banzhang Shou Puerh - Crafted from 2012 First Spring Ancient Tree Pure Material

Experience the exceptional power and depth of this premium 2018 Dominating Banzhang shou puerh, aged for 8 years. This 357-gram cake is crafted from 2012 first spring ancient tree pure material, meaning the raw material itself has been aging for over 14 years before you even brew it. The tea base prominently features golden buds, showcasing the premium grade of the material. With rich aged fragrance and pronounced returning sweetness, this is a high-end ripe pu-erh that embodies Banzhang's legendary dominating character.

2012 First Spring Ancient Tree Pure Material - Double Aging Excellence

This tea is crafted from 2012 first spring ancient tree pure material (采用2012年头春古树纯料), which was then fermented and pressed in 2018. This means the raw material has been aging for 6 years before fermentation, and the finished tea has been aging for an additional 8 years since 2018—resulting in over 14 years of total transformation. First spring tea contains the richest internal substances accumulated over winter, while ancient tree material provides profound depth and complexity. This double aging process creates exceptional refinement and maturity.

Premium Tea Base with Prominent Buds

The tea base prominently features golden buds (茶底芽头凸显), indicating the use of high-grade, tender material. Palace-grade and premium-grade shou puerh are characterized by abundant buds, which contribute to sweetness, smoothness, and refined character. The visible golden buds throughout the cake demonstrate the exceptional quality of this Banzhang production.

Over a Decade of Aging - Rich Aged Fragrance

After over 14 years of total aging (已陈化十几年), this tea has developed a rich, concentrated aged fragrance (陈香浓郁). The extended aging has eliminated any rough edges, allowing the tea's pure character to shine through with exceptional clarity and depth. The aged aroma is complex and inviting, with layers of woody, earthy, and subtle sweet notes.

Tasting Experience - Dominating Power with Returning Sweetness

True to its name "Dominating Banzhang," this tea delivers the powerful cha qi and bold character that Banzhang is famous for, while the fermentation and aging have transformed it into a supremely smooth, approachable expression. The tea liquor is deep red and transparent with excellent clarity. The entry is smooth and full-bodied, with substantial weight and presence. Most notably, this high-end ripe pu-erh displays pronounced returning sweetness (有回甘的高端熟茶)—a quality more commonly associated with sheng puerh but achieved here through premium material and expert processing. The returning sweetness is clear, lasting, and deeply satisfying, elevating this beyond typical shou puerh.

Key Features:

Origin: Banzhang region, Menghai County, Yunnan Province
Tea Type: Shou Puerh (Ripe Pu-erh) - Premium Ancient Tree
Production Year: 2018 (8+ years aged as finished tea)
Raw Material: 2012 first spring ancient tree pure material (14+ years total aging)
Weight: 357 grams (standard cake)
Grade: High-end with prominent golden buds in tea base (茶底芽头凸显)
Total Aging: Over 14 years (6 years pre-fermentation + 8 years post-production)
Aroma: Rich, concentrated aged fragrance (陈香浓郁)
Character: Dominating Banzhang power with pronounced returning sweetness (有回甘)
Quality Level: High-end ripe pu-erh (高端熟茶)

Brewing Guide:

Tea Amount: 5-7 grams per 100ml (adjust to taste)
Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F) - boiling water recommended
Rinse: Quick 5-second rinse to awaken the aged leaves, discard this infusion
First Infusion: 10-15 seconds
Subsequent Infusions: Increase by 5-10 seconds each time
Steeps: Can be re-steeped 15-20 times or more
Teaware: Gaiwan, Yixing clay pot, or glass teapot recommended