2026 Yunnan Sourcing "Emerald Horse" Raw Pu-erh Tea Mini Cakes
Made entirely from Spring 2026 harvested wild-arbor Camellia sinensis var. assamica tea from Meng Song in Menghai County, these convenient 7 gram mini cakes offer a rich, fruity, and highly aromatic expression of Yunnan raw pu-erh tea in an easy single-session format.
Meng Song is a well-known tea-growing area in Xishuangbanna, located northwest of the Nan Nuo Mountains. The naturally grown large-leaf material used for this tea gives it considerably more body and stamina than many conventional pu-erh teas. The sun-drying technique that is a hallmark of raw pu-erh tea has imparted a bittersweet character with a long lasting huigan in the mouth and throat.
“Emerald Horse” is immediately sweet and inviting. The liquor is bright yellow-gold, with aromas of honey, ripe fruit, dried flowers, and fresh sugarcane juice. In the mouth it is thick and viscous, with a soft, almost syrupy texture and very little bitterness. Notes of stone fruit, cane sugar, honey, and sweet hay develop through the session, while a mild cooling quality and lingering sweetness remain after swallowing.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this tea is its endurance. A single 7 gram mini cake can be brewed through many gongfu infusions, gradually becoming softer, sweeter, and more honeyed as the leaves open. The large intact leaf material visible in each cake gives the tea both substance and excellent re-steeping ability.
The mini-cake format makes “Emerald Horse” particularly convenient. Each cake is approximately 7 grams, making it an ideal amount for a medium-sized gaiwan or teapot without the need to break apart a larger cake. Simply unwrap one mini cake, give it a little time to loosen during the first couple of infusions, and continue brewing throughout the session.
Like many Yunnan raw pu-erh teas made from large-leaf material, “Emerald Horse” should also develop beautifully with age. The fresh fruit and sugarcane character will gradually deepen, with honey, dried fruit, sweet wood, and richer aged-pu-erh tea notes becoming increasingly prominent over time.
Brewing Guide
Gongfu — recommended
1 mini cake, approximately 7 grams
100–120 ml water
90–95°C
Quick rinse optional
Begin with 10–15 second infusions and lengthen gradually
Allow the compressed cake a couple of infusions to open fully. Once loosened, it should continue producing flavorful infusions for a long session.
Western
1 mini cake per 400–500 ml
90–95°C
Steep for 2–3 minutes
Re-steep several times, increasing the infusion time with each round
Thermos Style
1 mini cake per 500–700 ml
Use 90–95°C water
Steep for 10–15 minutes
This produces a particularly rich, sweet, and fruit-forward brew.
Aging Notes
This tea is suitable for drinking now or further aging. Over time, expect the fresh sugarcane and fruit character to deepen toward honey, dried fruit, sweet herbs, and richer woody sweetness.
Store in a clean, odor-free environment away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.
In Summary
Name: 2026 Yunnan Sourcing “Emerald Horse” Raw Pu-erh Tea Mini Cakes
Tea Type: Yunnan Raw Pu-erh Tea
Region: Meng Song, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna
Harvest: Spring 2026
Varietal: Camellia sinensis var. assamica
Trees: Naturally grown wild-arbor tea trees
Processing: Raw Pu-erh Tea
Weight: Approximately 7 grams per mini cake
Character: Fruity, honeyed, sugarcane-sweet, thick, and smooth
Liquor: Bright yellow-gold
Mouthfeel: Thick, viscous, and soft
Aging Potential: Excellent
Please Note: These are sold by weight, and that weight includes the weight of the wrapper.
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.
