2013 King of the Forest Sheng Puerh

It was produced by the well-known Mengku Shuanjiang factory in the spring of 2013, using the first flush of tea from the village of Bing Dao. Located in Mengku County, “Bing Dao” literally translates to “Ice Island”. The aged trees this tea came from around found at around 2,500 meters above sea level. The whole county is well known for its strong, pungent and bitter puerh teas. Teas like this are said to age better, having the strength and power to last the years. But with some brewing finesse, they also make for a fine bowl or cup even now! This month’s tea is called the “King of the Forest (Qiao Mu Wang)”. Our 2013 version was produced in a very limited amount, especially considering how big the factory is. This tea was processed in a traditional way, sun dried and stone pressed. The wild tea in it brings it to life in a powerful way. We also have a love for it because it is certified organic, which is rare for puerh. Most great puerh comes from small villages, and the farmers can rarely afford certification. We don’t mind that. We support clean tea, certified or no. But it also helps when some of the bigger factories can step up and produce high-quality puerh that is also certified organic. When mainstream consumer demand starts to push for organic production, the tea world will shift. This is true of all agriculture. There are, of course, many limitations to certification, but it is one positive force amongst many, helping to change our consciousness and promote greener living.