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2024 Yunnan Sourcing "Purple Dragon" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake | Yunnan Sourcing Tea Shop

2024 Yunnan Sourcing "Purple Dragon" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

by Yunnan Sourcing Brand Pu-erh
$7.25 - $50.50
$7.25
$7.25 - $50.50
$7.25

A striking wild-tree sheng made from naturally purple Ye Sheng leaves gathered in the north-western area of Dehong (1,600–2,200 m). This population of wild tea is famous for its dark-hued buds and leaves, naturally high polyphenols, and a vivid, energetic cup. Spring 2024 material was carefully hand-processed and stone-pressed into classic 357 g cakes; total production 100 kg.

Why it’s special

  • Wild purple leaf (野生茶/Ye Sheng) from high elevation forests; naturally robust, bug-resistant growth and strong, focused energy.

  • Spring pick that’s bud-heavy this year, adding a clear thread of early sweetness to the classic wild profile.

  • Clean, careful processing designed for long life in the pumidor, built to integrate and round out with age.

  • Small run from a single production area in Dehong; transparent and collectible.

Tasting notes

  • Aroma: mountain honey, pine resin, dark florals; a hint of citrus peel.

  • Liquor: bright golden yellow with excellent clarity; thick, almost oily body.

  • Flavor: decisive young bitterness that quickly turns sweet; honeyed cane and wild-berry hints sit over a fresh, resin-mineral backbone.

  • Finish & feel: long hui-gan and pronounced shengjin (mouth-watering return) with a warm, stimulating cha qi.

Origin & processing

  • Area: north-western Dehong, Yunnan

  • Elevation: about 1,600–2,200 m

  • Material: wild purple-leaf Ye Sheng population (often referenced in the literature alongside C. sinensis var. assamica)

  • Season: Spring 2024

  • Craft: hand-picked • sun-withered • hand-rolled • sun-dried • traditionally stone-pressed

  • Format: 357 g per cake (7 cakes per bamboo-leaf tong)

  • Production: 100 kg total

  • Producer: Yunnan Sourcing

Brewing guide

(Great water helps. Keep the early steeps short to manage the youthful bite.)

Gongfu (recommended)

  • 6 g per 100 ml

  • 98–100 °C

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

  • If the bitterness peaks too hard, shave 1–2 seconds off the first two pours or brew at 90–96 °C.

Western

  • 3–4 g per 300 ml (10 oz)

  • 95–98 °C • 2:00–2:30

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

Grandpa style

  • 1–1.2 g per 100 ml

  • 90–95 °C, top up as you sip

  • Round, honey-sweet cup with a tidy green snap

Cold brew

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

  • Crisp, lightly citrusy sweetness with minimal astringency

Aging notes

Young purple ye sheng type pu-erh can be quite bold and bitter; with 2–4 years of clean storage the bite mellows into layered fruit-honey sweetness and a silkier texture. Store in 50-65% RH and 70-90F, in an odor-free area, with minimal airflow.

Pairing & occasions

Great on its own for a focused session, or use a small portion in blends to lift sweetness and length, especially fun alongside high-mountain Jinggu or Mengku material to compare terroir and wild vs. garden leaf.

In Summary

  • Region: north-western Dehong, Yunnan

  • Elevation: 1,600–2,200 m

  • Harvest: Spring 2024

  • Format: 357 g cake (7 cakes per tong)

  • Production: 100 kg total

  • Producer: Yunnan Sourcing

In short: a wild-tree, purple-leaf Dehong sheng with golden liquor, thick viscosity, and a powerful sweet-aftertaste, bold now and poised to become deeply complex with a few years of rest.

Wrapper Design by RongGao Printing Co. LTD

Previous Pressings of this tea can be found here:

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.

Overall rating: 4.3333335 / 5 from 6 reviews.

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Review highlights

Reviews

It reminded me a bit

"It reminded me a bit of the Jinggu Wild Tree Purple Moonlight, combined with tobacco notes and a very present sweetness. As for the aftertase, bitterness appears unexpectedly late there, though there I found the sweetness almost too much."

— Mirko S. (4/5)

Pungent, Green, Purple.

"Very nice, not the usual de hong yesheng character, don't expect honey and dried fruit. It's the opposite, in a good way too. Pleasantly and exotically bitter palate, not at all astringent, character is relentless and unyielding, yet very forgiving in steeps. Qi is of course sublime, for this price - no complaints, though be sure to eat well before endulging, it's one heavy hitter."

— Daniel (5/5)

I had a nice session

"I had a nice session this morning with this tea. The cha qi is strong, my eyes felt like when you first wake up. The tea itself is delicious, it has a slight mouth drying effect but it comes back with a gentle sweetness I can't describe. There's a taste reminiscent of plumb peel that I love about it. Purple varietals are becoming a favourite of mine. This is a solid tea."

— Jordan R. (4/5)

I am very Happy with my tea!

"My tea came well packed with a baby tea cake for trial . I had the baby tea cake for breakfast it was lovely."

— Helge G. (5/5)

Bitter

"Bitter, I was not expecting this taste. Hopefully gets better with age, def buy a sample before you commit to full cake."

— Yehor M. (3/5)

Best tea

"Best tea company ever"

— Kelli T. (5/5)

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Yunnan Sourcing Brand Pu-erh