2025 Bai Hua Tan Ancient Trees Puerh

FatBat Private Pressing Gushu Raw Puerh

百花潭 小高杆古树

This is a pinnacle-tier wild Yiwu -- a true Tribal Queen.

Bai Hua Tan is one of the most famed villages in Southern Yiwu, within the Yao tribal lands. Like its immediate neighbor Tong Qing He, this is an area that is renowned for its pristine ecology and absolute wild nature. There are far fewer visitors to this area compared to the other villages closer to Yiwu Township, and the tea groves grow exceedingly deep in the jungle, a long trek away from the main residential village and roads.

To showcase this deep forest-style terroir, we commissioned a pure gushu picking from selected trees within this grove. These are ancient trees of the tall and extended variety, the thick jungle cover and shade forcing them to stretch their trunks to reach sunlight (hence they are sometimes referred to as "little tall pole" or 小高杆). This old-growth material is rich and powerful, deeply wild and substantial. 

This is pure 森林体系古树 or "forest-type gushu", prized for its primeval character. An intense Southern Yiwu Yao-style tea, it is fierce and energetic, but the quality and age of the selected trees ensures a stupendously sweet and luscious soup without bitterness. Be forewarned though, despite its sweetness, this is a wild and powerful creature, not to be trifled with -- experienced drinkers will find much to explore in its many layers. 

TASTING NOTES

Deep green leaf steeps out rounded flavors of Asian pear puree, leaving an aroma of macerated spiced apples in the bottom of the empty cup. Substantial dark green moss and forest ferns are trodden underfoot, as exotic seed pods brush one's cheeks and nose. The finish is long and mouth-coating. A palpable feeling of 山野气韵 (the spirit and breath of wild mountains, a characteristic of deep forest-type teas). The body feel hits immediately with waves of energy radiating form the core all through the spine and up the neck. 

TERROIR

The areas in Southern Yiwu are largely populated by the Yao minority group, with the area broadly referred to as the Yao district (瑶区 Yao Qu). Driving south from Yiwu township, the roads get darker, quieter and more deserted. We are entering the true wilds of Yiwu, where tea groves are exceedingly remote and difficult to reach, impassable to cars and often requiring hours of trekking on motorcycle and foot to reach.

Bai Hua Tan is one of the highly regarded "3 Outstanding Yao Areas" (aka the 瑶区三杰 Yao Qu San Jie within puerh circles -- the other two being Tong Qing He and Mang She Qing). Extremely sought-after as a top-tier Yiwu micro-region, it ranks alongside other legendary areas like Bohetang and Cha Wang Shu. It sits near the intersection of 3 famous rivers (Tong Qing He, Bu Long He and Jin Chang He), deep within the primeval jungle. A myriad of wildflowers grows here among the tea groves and is said to impart a unique fragrance to the tea. The dense forest canopy results in a relatively higher proportion of tall-pole varietal trees here, the largest of which are typically reserved for single-tree pickings at astronomical prices. Material from these tall-pole varietals are prized for their ability to present the wildness of the region alongside a rare smoothness and delicacy.

TECHNICALS