Description
Liu Bao is often compared to ripe Pu-erh, but its character is distinctly its own. While ripe Pu-erh typically produces a thick, brothy liquor driven by fine tea particles, Liu Bao brews much cleaner, with intensity coming from depth of flavour rather than weight alone.
This 2000s-era loose Liu Bao, made from old tree material, rinses to release a creamy, earthy-sweet aroma, reminiscent of yoghurt and aged wood. The liquor is a deep dark ruby colour, clear and bright in the cup.
The flavour is less overtly sweet than ripe Pu-erh, leaning instead towards camphor, dry wood, and gentle earth. There is a low, satisfying bitterness and a light, lingering astringency that provides structure without roughness. As the session progresses, the tea becomes noticeably smoother, settling into a pure, semi-savoury profile that is both calming and engaging.
The cha qi develops slowly, with a creeping, relaxing yet energising energy that builds across infusions rather than hitting all at once. After the first infusion, the texture softens further, making this a particularly rewarding tea to spend time with.
A clean, mature Liu Bao that shows depth, balance, and clarity—ideal for those who enjoy aged dark teas but want something less heavy than ripe Pu-erh.
Origin: Guangxi Province, China
Era: 2000s
Style: Dark tea (Liu Bao)
Format: Loose leaf
Material: Old tree
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