Skip to content

2019 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Secret Garden" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Original price $15.75 USD - Original price $125.75 USD
Original price $15.75 USD - Original price $125.75 USD
Original price
$15.75 USD - $125.75 USD
$15.75 USD - $125.75 USD
Current price $15.75 USD

Entirely first flush of Spring 2019 material from high altitude Ai Lao mountain.  The Ai Lao mountains peak out at about 3200 meters, making them second only to Wu Liang Shan as the highest mountains in Simao prefecture.   The Ai Lao mountain range is in the county of Jingdong which borders Chu Xiong prefecture.  This tea comes from old arbor tea trees growing in an undisclosed location (Secret Garden) in the Ai Lao mountain area at 2100 meters, making this some of the highest altitude pu-erh in existance.  Due to the high altitude most of the tea trees in this area are a naturally occurring hybrid of large and small leaf (sinensis and var. assamica).  The trees are healthy old trees growing naturally just below the peak of one of Ai Lao's many mountains.   Ai Lao tea gardens are arguably some of the remotest tea gardens in all of Yunnan.  Lack of roads and access has kept the environment of this area in pristine condition.

The tea itself is aromatic with hints of orchid aroma (兰香), and a strong mouth-feel.  The leaves are fatter and more burly than the Wu Liang tea. It features lots of hairy buds that make it somewhat resemble its close neighbor Jinggu mountain teas.  Honey and grass essences are present in this thick soupy tea!  Very sweet and full bodied tea that remains flavorful and complex for 10+ steeps.  "Secret Garden" is the most premium Ai Lao area tea that we have ever had the privilege to enjoy (or offer for sale)!


This tea was compressed in a small tea factory near Kunming where stone presses were used.  Low temperature “baking” was used to dry these cakes after the compression process thus preserving their integrity!  The cakes are wrapped and then bundled into bamboo leaf "tongs" with seven cakes per tong.

 

250 grams per cake (7 cakes per bamboo leaf tong)

38kg in total produced

Wrapper Illustration by Giovanni Crispino
 

This tea has been tested in a certified laboratory for 191 pesticides, and is within the EU MRL limits set for those 191 pesticide residues. For a full list of the 191 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: 

You may also like

  • 2014 Yunnan Sourcing Autumn Jiu Tai Po Village Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

    Original price $11.75 USD - Original price $118.00 USD
    Original price
    $11.75 USD - $118.00 USD
    $11.75 USD - $118.00 USD
    Current price $11.75 USD
    In stock

    October 2014 Autumn harvest tea leaves from 80-150 year old tea trees growing in Jiu Tai Po village in Jinggu county of Simao. Jiu Tai Po or "9 Me...

    View full details
    Original price $11.75 USD - Original price $118.00 USD
    Original price
    $11.75 USD - $118.00 USD
    $11.75 USD - $118.00 USD
    Current price $11.75 USD
  • 2012 Yunnan Sourcing "Xin Ban Zhang" Wild Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

    Original price $14.25 USD - Original price $362.75 USD
    Original price
    $14.25 USD - $362.75 USD
    $14.25 USD - $362.75 USD
    Current price $14.25 USD
    In stock

    First flush of spring 2012 material from 60 to 100 year old wild arbor tea trees growing in Xin Ban Zhang village. Xin Ban Zhang is the neighbor vi...

    View full details
    Original price $14.25 USD - Original price $362.75 USD
    Original price
    $14.25 USD - $362.75 USD
    $14.25 USD - $362.75 USD
    Current price $14.25 USD
  • 2019 Yunnan Sourcing "Autumn Ai Lao Secret Garden" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

    Original price $13.25 USD - Original price $144.50 USD
    Original price
    $13.25 USD - $144.50 USD
    $13.25 USD - $144.50 USD
    Current price $13.25 USD
    In stock

    Entirely Autumn 2019 material from high altitude Ai Lao mountain.  The Ai Lao mountains peak out at about 3200 meters, making them second only to ...

    View full details
    Original price $13.25 USD - Original price $144.50 USD
    Original price
    $13.25 USD - $144.50 USD
    $13.25 USD - $144.50 USD
    Current price $13.25 USD
  • Cloisonné and Ceramic Mini Tea Boat Teapot Stand

    Original price $43.00 USD - Original price $43.00 USD
    Original price
    $43.00 USD
    $43.00 USD - $43.00 USD
    Current price $43.00 USD
    In stock

    These lovely Cloisonné and ceramic teapot stands can also double as mini tea boats!  The cloisonné top is made using vitreous enamel on stainless ...

    View full details
    Original price $43.00 USD - Original price $43.00 USD
    Original price
    $43.00 USD
    $43.00 USD - $43.00 USD
    Current price $43.00 USD
  • Black Wood Circle-in-Square Coaster for Placing Tea Cup

    Original price $2.75 USD - Original price $24.00 USD
    Original price
    $2.75 USD - $24.00 USD
    $2.75 USD - $24.00 USD
    Current price $2.75 USD

    This coaster is made out of high quality smooth black wood. It is ideal for serving tea to guests. The area for placing the cup is circular and is ...

    View full details
    Original price $2.75 USD - Original price $24.00 USD
    Original price
    $2.75 USD - $24.00 USD
    $2.75 USD - $24.00 USD
    Current price $2.75 USD
Free Gifts

and BOGO Offers!

Brewing Guide

Helpful Suggestions!

Terms

Shipping, Refunds and More.

EU MRL

Yunnan Sourcing Brand Pu-erh