2025 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Secret Garden" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Entirely first-flush Spring 2025 material from a high, remote site in the Ai Lao range (Jingdong County). The “Secret Garden” grove sits around ~2,100 m, just below one of Ai Lao’s upper ridges, among the highest-altitude pu-erh gardens in Yunnan. Trees here are naturally vigorous and, at this elevation, often show a hybrid character of small- and large-leaf types (sinensis × assamica), producing thick, burly leaves with lots of downy buds. Gardens remain pristine thanks to limited access and few roads.

Stone-pressed in small batches near Kunming; a low-temperature bake sets and protects the cakes after compression. 250 g per cake, bundled 7 cakes per bamboo-leaf tong. Total production 40 kg. Wrapper illustration by Fabio Cesaratto.

Why it’s special

• High mountain, remote terroir: Clean air, big day–night swings at ~2,100 m concentrate aroma, sweetness, and structure.

• Old-arbor material: Thick, burly leaf with many hairy buds; fuller texture and stamina in the cup.

• Signature Ai Lao profile: Orchid-leaning fragrance, honey/grass accents, and a strong, mouth-filling liquor that stays lively for many steeps.

• Built to integrate and round out with age: Firm structure + clean processing make this an excellent ager.

Tasting notes (2025)

• Aroma: Orchid and wildflower honey over fresh meadow grass; subtle mountain herb.

• Liquor: Pale gold → light apricot; thick, soupy texture with bright clarity.

• Flavor: Honeyed sweetness and gentle cane with a clean green bite; soft citrus lift; fuller mid-palate than neighboring Wu Liang.

• Finish & feel: Long hui-gan; persistent shengjin (mouthwatering return); poised, steady cha qi.

What prior years suggest (for reference)

Past-year drinkers commonly reported honeyed sweetness, mellow fruit, expanding mouthfeel, and a lingering, candy-like aftertaste (2018/2019 Autumn reviews); others noted “dark florals,” occasional grape-like tones, thick body, and even flashes of cotton-candy sweetness (2023). Expect vintage nuance, but the core is sweet, full, and persistent.

Origin & processing

• Range / County: Ai Lao Mountains, Jingdong (borders Chuxiong)

• Garden: Undisclosed “Secret Garden” grove at ~2,100 m (old-arbor trees; mixed small/large-leaf character at altitude)

• Season: First flush – Spring 2025

• Craft: Hand-picked • sun-withered • rolled • sun-dried • stone-pressed • low-temp bake post-press to set the cakes

• Format: 250 g cake; 7 per tong

• Total production: 40 kg (160 cakes)

Brewing guide

(Great water helps; keep early steeps short to showcase sweetness and fragrance.)

Gongfu (recommended)

• 6 g / 100 mL

• 98–100 °C (208–212 °F)

• Quick rinse, then 5s • 8s • 10s • 12s • 15s, adding gradually for 10+ infusions.

• Tip: If the green bite peaks too quickly, pour at 95–96 °C or shorten the first 2–3 steeps.

Western

• 3–4 g / 300 mL (10 oz)

• 95–98 °C • 2:00–2:30

• 2–3 infusions, adding 20–30s each round.

Grandpa style

• 1–1.2 g / 100 mL, 90–95 °C

• Top up as you sip, easy, honeyed, orchid-tinged cup with a very clean finish.

Cold brew

• 8–10 g / 1 L, room-temp water; refrigerate 6–8 hours.

• Crisp florals, cane sweetness, and low astringency.

Pairing & occasions

• Great for comparative tastings against Wu Liang or Jinggu to explore altitude and leaf-type influence.

In Summary

• Caffeine: Medium-High

• Storage & aging: Store cool, dry, odor-free, away from light; allow gentle airflow. Over 5–15 years, expect deepening honey/flower tones, smoother texture, and increased length, it’s built to integrate and round out with age. Longer term aging will increase complexity and desirable traits!

• Name: 2025 Yunnan Sourcing “Ai Lao Secret Garden” Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh (Sheng)

• Region: Ai Lao Mountains (Jingdong), Simao/Pu’er

• Elevation: ~2,100 m (high-altitude site)

• Leaf character: High-elevation small/large-leaf hybrid tendency

• Harvest: Spring 2025 (first flush)

• Process: Traditional sheng; stone-pressed, low-temp baked post-press

• Net weight: 250 g per cake (7 per tong)

• Production: 40 kg total (160 cakes)

• Wrapper Illustration: Fabio Cesaratto

In short: A high-mountain, old-arbor Ai Lao sheng, orchid-honey fragrance, thick soupy body, and a long, sweet finish, crafted to drink now and integrate & round out beautifully with age.

This tea has been tested in a certified laboratory for 404 pesticides, and is within the EU MRL limits set for those 404 pesticide residues. For a full list of the 404 pesticides we tested for and more information about MRL testing and the EU Food and Safety commission click on this link.

We drink the Spring 2018 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Secret Garden" in this video: