{"product_id":"2026-yunnan-sourcing-ku-zhu-shan-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake","title":"2026 Yunnan Sourcing \"Ku Zhu Shan\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake","description":"\u003carticle class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Ku Zhu Mountain, near Wenshan village about 7 km southeast of Jinggu town (Pu’er \/ Simao), this sheng comes from naturally grown, 100+-year-old trees. Ku Zhu shows a bolder side of Jinggu, more bitter and more assertive than its sweeter Yang Ta counterpart, yet still carries a unique character often described as a meeting of Jinggu sweetness with Mengku’s clean, mineral edge. Pressed into 250 g cakes with a striking design by Sara Pellerin, and made in small quantity (40 kg total).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy it’s special\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOld-arbor power:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100+-year material brings density, structure, and long, steady infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistinct terroir:\u003c\/strong\u003e A “Jinggu × Mengku” vibe, honeyed undercurrent with alpine, mineral bite, yet unmistakably Ku Zhu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt to age:\u003c\/strong\u003e The firm bitterness and clean profile make this an excellent candidate for mid- to long-term cellaring.\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 Wild honey, citrus peel (pomelo), alpine herbs, fresh grain, light pine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale gold to light amber; thick, rounded mouthfeel with precise, lively energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early steeps show measured kuwei (pleasant bitterness) with floral–citrus lift and a clean mineral line; mid–late steeps reveal gentle honey, barley\/grain sweetness, and light resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish \u0026amp; feel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, cooling hui-gan; persistent shengjin (mouthwatering return); focused, steady cha qi without harshness.\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; adjust to manage bitterness.)\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 \/ 100 mL\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e98–100 °C (208–212 °F)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick rinse, then 5s • 8s • 10s • 12s • 15s, adding gradually for 10+ infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf bitterness spikes, shorten by 1–2 seconds or drop to 95–96 °C.\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 \/ 300 mL (10 oz)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e95–98 °C • 2:00–2:30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2–3 infusions, adding 20–30s each round. Favor shorter times to showcase sweetness over bite.\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 \/ 100 mL, 90–95 °C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTop up as you sip. Grain-honey core with tidy florals and a clean green snap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCold brew\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8–10 g \/ 1 L, room-temp water; refrigerate 6–8 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrisp citrus-floral lift, cane sweetness, minimal astringency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairing \u0026amp; occasions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat for side-by-side tasting with Yang Ta and with the Ku Zhu Shan Hong to explore terroir vs. processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaffeine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to medium-high\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eKu Zhu Mountain, near Wenshan village, Jinggu (Pu’er\/Simao), Yunnan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100+-year-old old-arbor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional sheng pu-erh, pressed cake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 250 g per cake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 kg (160 cakes) in total\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWrapper Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sara Pellerin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn short:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold, old-arbor Ku Zhu Shan sheng  clean, mineral, and pleasantly bitter, with floral-citrus lift and a long hui-gan. Ready to enjoy now and superbly positioned to age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach cake comes in a free matching gift box that features the full uncropped illustration by the artist. The matching gift box is not available for purchase separately.  NOTE: If the gift box arrives with creases or cosmetic blemishes we cannot provide a free replacement.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/article\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/pages\/eu-mrl-compliance-and-yunnan-sourcing-brand-pu-erh-teas\"\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 in Gift Box (250 Grams)","offer_id":47063422107847,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Grams Sample","offer_id":47063422140615,"sku":null,"price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9817\/files\/IMG_9995.jpg?v=1788015549","url":"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en-je\/products\/2026-yunnan-sourcing-ku-zhu-shan-raw-pu-erh-tea-cake","provider":"Yunnan Sourcing Tea Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}