2005 LCGC "001" Jing Mai Mountain Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

The Lancang Ancient Tea company of Lancang county of Simao produced this fine cake from early spring 2005 Jingmai mountain tea at an altitude of 1600 meters (a perfect altitude).

Jingmai mountain is known for having a strong "cha qi" that is rivalled only by Ban Zhang mountain in potency. This cake is no exception and gives the drinker a nice flavor and lingering slippery sweetness in the throat. 

The 001 is highly regarded vintage release pressed by the Lancang Ancient Tea Co. (LCGC / 澜沧古茶). This classic production uses premium spring material from the famous Jingmai Mountain in Yunnan, resulting in a heavy-bodied, aromatic raw tea characterized by a lingering, slippery throat sweetness (hui gan).The LCGC 001 is traditionally compressed into a 125 gran cake, and is prized by collectors and drinkers for its strong "cha qi" (tea energy) and excellent long-term aging potential.

Lancang Ancient Tea is well known for utilizing older-growth and ancient arbor (gushu) materials for their 001 cakes, setting it apart from their standard factory productions.

When brewing this mid-aged raw Pu-erh, it benefits from brief, gong-fu style steepings to prevent over-extraction. The liquor transitions from a slightly smoky, woody profile in the earliest steepings to a highly smooth, honeyed, and complex flavor over multiple infusions.

Producer: Lancang Ancient Tea Company (澜沧古茶)
Process: Picked, sun-dried, and Compressed.
Vintage: Spring 2005
Production area: Jingmai Mountain of Lancang (Simao)
Cake weight: 125 grams

** pictures are from 2005