{"product_id":"2026-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake","title":"2026 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake","description":"\u003cp\u003eMade entirely from first-flush spring 2026 leaves picked in\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eBing Dao Lao Zhai (the “old village” south of Bingdao Lake, Mengku). Trees range from roughly 100–300 years old and grow at high elevation under clean, cool conditions. Pressed into compact 200 g cakes; 20 kg total. This is our most expensive Lincang production to date, and one of the most captivating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy it’s special\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue Bing Dao Lao Zhai material (distinct from the better-known Xin Zhai), with the area’s signature cool, crystalline profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld-arbor leaf with a subtle-but-powerful character: the cha qi “creeps up,” then blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst-flush pick for purity, length, and a refined bitterness that supports complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrafted for the long haul: clean processing and tight structure mean it’s built to age with grace and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e alpine flowers, rock sugar, fresh bamboo, faint citrus peel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e pale gold, very clear; thick and elegant on the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e poised Bing Dao balance, cooling minty lift with sugarcane sweetness; measured bitterness and light astringency for structure; hints of white peach and sweet cereal in mid-steeps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish \u0026amp; feel:\u003c\/strong\u003e long, persistent hui-gan; pronounced shengjin (mouth-watering return); energetic cha qi that gathers as the session unfolds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and processing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArea: \u003cstrong\u003eBing Dao Lao Zhai\u003c\/strong\u003e, Mengku County, Lincang\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElevation: high mountain zone around Bingdao Lake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees: roughly \u003cstrong\u003e100–300 years\u003c\/strong\u003e, naturally grown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeason: \u003cstrong\u003eApril 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e first flush\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCraft: hand-picked • sun-withered • hand-rolled • sun-dried • traditionally pressed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormat: \u003cstrong\u003e250 grams\u003c\/strong\u003e per cake (5 cakes per bamboo-leaf tong)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal production: \u003cstrong\u003e20 kg\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWrapper: design by \u003cstrong\u003eDominic Beinvogl\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Great water helps. Keep early steeps short to showcase the cool sweetness.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGongfu (recommended)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 g per 100 ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e98–100 °C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick rinse, then 5 s • 8 s • 10 s • 12 s • 15 s, adding gradually for 10+ infusions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you prefer less bite, try 95–96 °C or shave 1–2 seconds off the first two pours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWestern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3–4 g per 300 ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e95–98 °C for 2:00–2:30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2–3 infusions, add 20–30 s each round\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrandpa style\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1–1.2 g per 100 ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e90–95 °C, top up as you sip\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCool, sugarcane-sweet cup with a tidy green snap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAging notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly sessions show restrained bitterness and a very cooling, crystalline profile. With \u003cstrong\u003e3–10 years\u003c\/strong\u003e of clean storage, expect deeper honeyed sweetness, silkier texture, and even longer finish. \u003cspan\u003eStore in 50-65% RH and 70-90F, in an odor-free area, with minimal airflow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePairing and occasions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for quiet, focused sessions. Pairs well with neutral snacks, plain nuts, mild crackers, simple sponge cake, so the cool sweetness and length can shine. Excellent alongside other \u003cstrong\u003eMengku\/Bingdao-area\u003c\/strong\u003e shengs to explore village-level nuance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eName: 2026 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegion: Bing Dao Lao Zhai, Mengku, Lincang Prefecture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest: April 2026, first flush\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNet weight: 250 grams per cake (5 cakes per tong)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal production: 20 kg (Just 80 cakes)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWrapper: Patrik Benedičič\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a refined Bing Dao Lao Zhai sheng, cooling, crystalline, and quietly powerful, with the structure and purity to evolve beautifully over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWrapper is the same as our \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2025-yunnan-sourcing-mo-lie-shan-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e2025 Yunnan Sourcing \"Mo Lie Shan\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e, but is differentiated by a hand-stamp in red ink with the characters \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e冰岛老寨\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBelow are the previous releases of this tea under the Yunnan Sourcing Brand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2016-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake\"\u003e2016 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh tea cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2016-yunnan-sourcing-autumn-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2016-yunnan-sourcing-autumn-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake\"\u003e2016 Yunnan Sourcing \"Autumn Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2018-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=2\u0026amp;_sid=350945970\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2018-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=2\u0026amp;_sid=350945970\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e2018 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2019-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=effa46524\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2019-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=effa46524\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e2019 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2020-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=4ca4ef18d\u0026amp;_ss=r\" class=\"title\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2020-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=4ca4ef18d\u0026amp;_ss=r\" class=\"title\"\u003e2020 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2021-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake-1?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=c724f5fa9\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2021-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake-1?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=c724f5fa9\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e2021 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\" href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/products\/2023-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=76ac563a7\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e2023 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/dp2ne8yu4gsjq8ln-5869817.shopifypreview.com\/products\/2024-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=25b9ace2f\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e 2024 Yunnan Sourcing \"Bing Dao Lao Zhai\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tea has been tested in a certified laboratory and has passed the MRL limits for 404 pesticide residues as established by the EU Food and Safety commission. For more information about MRL testing and the EU Food and Safety commission \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en\/content\/20-eu-compliance\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eclick on this link\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yunnan Sourcing Brand Pu-erh","offers":[{"title":"1 Cake (250 Grams)","offer_id":47183888744647,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Grams Sample","offer_id":47183888777415,"sku":null,"price":19.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Grams Sample","offer_id":47183888810183,"sku":null,"price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9817\/files\/DSC_9592.jpg?v=1789507996","url":"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en-im\/products\/2026-yunnan-sourcing-bing-dao-lao-zhai-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake","provider":"Yunnan Sourcing Tea Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}