2022 Tianmenshan Gao Gan Dan Zhu (Tall Pole, Single Tree) Loose Maocha

This is a picking from one single, "Gao Gan" or tall-pole tree (see notes at bottom). This tree yielded 1.7 kilograms of finished maocha, which we are offering as a chance to experience the unique characteristics of this particular ancient tree.

A rare chance to experience one of the highest-valued Yiwu micro-regions, in an extremely focused expression. The flavor is pure and clean, with excellent cooling sensations and lasting sweetness after the sip. Like the highest grade puerh, the body feel is incredibly soft and quiet, with a focus on calming and comforting.

This is top grade puerh for the most discerning.

TERROIR

Sited in the uppermost Northeast corner of the broader Yiwu region, close to the Laotian border, Tianmenshan (Heaven's Gate Mountain) is a micro-region that has gained attention in recent years for its extremely tall "Gao Gan / tall-pole" trees growing in a pristine environment.

Remoteness and a lack of infrastructure in these Guoyoulin gardens makes getting to these trees a challenge, but has also preserved their perfect environmental condition. Harvesting the tall-pole trees is highly dangerous and hard work, but the flavor profile of this valued material is exceedingly pure and refined without losing the "wild" feel of deep forest tea.

DAN ZHU / SINGLE-TREE PICKING

In selecting true single-tree pickings to offer, we taste maocha from numerous individual trees and identify the few which offer interesting flavor profiles or unique characteristics. As you might imagine, not every single-tree picking is valuable to us. For example, one growing by the roadside or in someone's backyard is often (not always!) lower quality than one growing deep in the protected forest.

While individual trees lack the breadth and balance of a broader picking, they tend to express very distinct traits which may be fascinating for collectors to experience. 

Note on naming: "Dan Zhu" is a frequently misunderstood (and as a result, abused) term in the industry. It can refer to material from one single tree, or material combined from several selected trees in a small area (often "single-trees"). Both are technically accepted by the industry, so read descriptions carefully to know what you are getting.