{"product_id":"2003-cnnp-red-mark-raw-pu-erh-tea-iron-cake","title":"2003 CNNP \"Red Mark\" Raw Pu-erh Tea Iron Cake","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"617\" data-start=\"137\"\u003eA tightly compressed 357 gram iron cake pressed in 2003 from first flush spring tea harvested in Mengku, Lincang. Although this was produced by a smaller maker, it uses the classic CNNP-style “Red Mark” wrapper associated with iron cake productions dating back to the 1980s. The result is a tea that feels very traditional in presentation and character: firm compression, serious structure, and the kind of slow, deliberate aging that iron cakes are known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1173\" data-start=\"619\"\u003eThis tea spent the bulk of its life in Guangdong storage until 2025, followed by Kunming storage thereafter. That combination has given it a beautifully balanced profile. There is a clear sense of age and humidity in the cup, but the tea has not been pushed so far that it loses its original identity. The deeper fruit, warmth, and aged character from Guangdong remain present, yet the underlying Mengku terroir still speaks clearly through the tea. It is an excellent example of a properly stored aged iron cake: transformed, but not erased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1194\" data-start=\"1175\" data-section-id=\"10oopf9\"\u003eWhy it’s special\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"1720\" data-start=\"1195\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1293\" data-start=\"1195\" data-section-id=\"1idmegr\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1231\" data-start=\"1197\"\u003eClassic Red Mark presentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e a traditional CNNP-style wrapper on a small-producer pressing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1384\" data-start=\"1294\" data-section-id=\"tlv5yp\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1327\" data-start=\"1296\"\u003eTrue iron cake compression:\u003c\/strong\u003e tight pressing has slowed and steadied the aging process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1503\" data-start=\"1385\" data-section-id=\"5th1h1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1419\" data-start=\"1387\"\u003e2003 spring Mengku material:\u003c\/strong\u003e strong, structured leaf with the stamina and bitterness needed for long development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1626\" data-start=\"1504\" data-section-id=\"ksm8xo\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1535\" data-start=\"1506\"\u003eBalanced storage profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e aged in Guangdong, then finished in Kunming, preserving both maturity and origin character\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1720\" data-start=\"1627\" data-section-id=\"14t8rax\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1658\" data-start=\"1629\"\u003eAged without going “wet”:\u003c\/strong\u003e a good example of humid storage done with restraint and skill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1738\" data-start=\"1722\" data-section-id=\"1yuwa5w\"\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2245\" data-start=\"1739\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1815\" data-start=\"1739\" data-section-id=\"9zo68v\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1751\" data-start=\"1741\"\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e warm aged notes, damp wood, dried fruit, light herbal sweetness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1882\" data-start=\"1816\" data-section-id=\"jm3cqt\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1829\" data-start=\"1818\"\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep golden-amber to orange-amber, bright and mature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2010\" data-start=\"1883\" data-section-id=\"11try0\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1896\" data-start=\"1885\"\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e warm and humid up front with ripe fruit character, then shifting into a cooling sweetness in the mouth and throat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2086\" data-start=\"2011\" data-section-id=\"lo4odb\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2027\" data-start=\"2013\"\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e smooth, coating, and structured, with a lingering presence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2245\" data-start=\"2087\" data-section-id=\"1frdckl\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2107\" data-start=\"2089\"\u003eFinish \u0026amp; feel:\u003c\/strong\u003e cooling throat sensation, returning sweetness, and a light background bitterness and astringency that provide depth rather than harshness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2267\" data-start=\"2247\" data-section-id=\"d4617p\"\u003eStorage character\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2808\" data-start=\"2268\"\u003eOne of the most compelling things about this tea is the way it balances aged storage character with original Mengku strength. Guangdong storage has softened the sharper edges and brought out warmth, fruit, and maturity, but the tea has not crossed into the kind of overly humid profile that flattens terroir. Instead, it still carries the lively structure and mountain character of Mengku material. For drinkers who appreciate aged raw pu-erh but want to avoid fully wet-stored profiles, this sits in a very appealing middle ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2832\" data-start=\"2810\" data-section-id=\"vuw32s\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; production\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3122\" data-start=\"2833\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2890\" data-start=\"2833\" data-section-id=\"1k1w8c5\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2844\" data-start=\"2835\"\u003eName:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2003 CNNP “Red Mark” Raw Pu-erh Tea Iron Cake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2938\" data-start=\"2891\" data-section-id=\"v1hl1u\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2904\" data-start=\"2893\"\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mengku County, Lincang Prefecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2977\" data-start=\"2939\" data-section-id=\"1p9a10m\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2954\" data-start=\"2941\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e first flush spring tea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3004\" data-start=\"2978\" data-section-id=\"h564ul\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2992\" data-start=\"2980\"\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring 2003\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3024\" data-start=\"3005\" data-section-id=\"ijx6t1\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3019\" data-start=\"3007\"\u003ePressed:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2003\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3074\" data-start=\"3025\" data-section-id=\"1i8oum2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3039\" data-start=\"3027\"\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guangdong until 2025, then Kunming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3098\" data-start=\"3075\" data-section-id=\"13pockn\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3088\" data-start=\"3077\"\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e iron cake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3122\" data-start=\"3099\" data-section-id=\"1gtgx61\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3112\" data-start=\"3101\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 357 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"3140\" data-start=\"3124\" data-section-id=\"gp7zz1\"\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3270\" data-start=\"3141\"\u003eIron cakes benefit from patience. The compression is tight, and the tea often shows its best after the leaf has had time to open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3298\" data-start=\"3272\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3296\" data-start=\"3272\"\u003eGongfu (recommended)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3603\" data-start=\"3299\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3319\" data-start=\"3299\" data-section-id=\"yp56ma\"\u003e6–7 g \/ 100 mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3335\" data-start=\"3320\" data-section-id=\"2prth4\"\u003e98–100 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3438\" data-start=\"3336\" data-section-id=\"thsib7\"\u003eQuick rinse, and consider a second short rinse for the first session if the cake is especially tight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3503\" data-start=\"3439\" data-section-id=\"9l50wl\"\u003eStart around 8s • 10s • 12s • 15s, then increase gradually\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3603\" data-start=\"3504\" data-section-id=\"88il8e\"\u003eExpect the tea to become more expressive after the first few infusions as the compression loosens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3618\" data-start=\"3605\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3616\" data-start=\"3605\"\u003eWestern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3690\" data-start=\"3619\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3637\" data-start=\"3619\" data-section-id=\"ispb0m\"\u003e4 g \/ 300 mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3653\" data-start=\"3638\" data-section-id=\"kaeo9h\"\u003e95–100 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3669\" data-start=\"3654\" data-section-id=\"pae4xm\"\u003e2:30–3:30\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3690\" data-start=\"3670\" data-section-id=\"mydnwx\"\u003eRe-steep 2–3 times\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3893\" data-start=\"3692\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3700\" data-start=\"3692\"\u003eTip:\u003c\/strong\u003e If the bitterness or astringency comes forward too quickly, shorten the early steeps slightly or reduce the leaf ratio. This tea has plenty of structure and responds well to small adjustments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"3909\" data-start=\"3895\" data-section-id=\"15gctsw\"\u003eAging notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4297\" data-start=\"3910\"\u003eThis tea has already developed beautifully, but it is far from finished. The tight iron cake compression means it should continue to evolve slowly and gracefully. Store in 50-65% RH and 70-90F, in an odor-free area, with minimal airflow. Over the coming years, expect the fruit and cooling sweetness to deepen further while the remaining bitterness and astringency continue to integrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"4312\" data-start=\"4299\" data-section-id=\"16m04oe\"\u003eIn summary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"4620\" data-start=\"4313\"\u003eA mature 2003 Mengku iron cake with classic Red Mark styling, balanced Guangdong\/Kunming storage, and a compelling profile that moves from warm, fruity age into cooling sweetness and lingering throat character. A fine example of aged raw pu-erh that has embraced storage without surrendering its origin.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CNNP","offers":[{"title":"1 Cake (357 Grams)","offer_id":46399629590727,"sku":null,"price":138.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Grams Sample","offer_id":46399629623495,"sku":null,"price":13.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9817\/files\/DSC_4270_fcc7ace2-ea5d-4490-9fad-a0ae966ab87a.jpg?v=1775864788","url":"https:\/\/yunnansourcing.com\/en-ru\/products\/2003-cnnp-red-mark-raw-pu-erh-tea-iron-cake","provider":"Yunnan Sourcing Tea Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}