Description
This 2018 Man Zhuan Da Shu Raw Pu-erh (Sheng Pu-erh) is Batch #2, pressed at the same time as our original Batch #1. The difference lies in storage: these cakes were aged in Guangdong (2018–2026), benefiting from more humid southern storage conditions compared to our UK-stored batch.
The result is a noticeably rounder, deeper, and more integrated tea.
Storage & Ageing Character
In its early years, this tea expressed a bright, youthful sweetness. After six years of Guangdong ageing, that sweetness has deepened and merged with gentle aged notes, creating a more complex and intriguing profile. Everything has matured — flavour, texture, and energy.
The liquor pours a deep golden broth with a fair-to-smooth texture. If you pause briefly between infusions, you’ll notice a pronounced, lingering sweet aftertaste building in the throat.
This tea responds well to stronger brewing. Feel free to push it — increasing leaf or extending steeps enhances sweetness, flavour intensity, and delivers a satisfying bitter edge without harshness. The cha qi is lightly energetic yet relaxed in character.
Origin: Man Zhuan, Yiwu Area, Xishuangbanna
Man Zhuan is one of the original Six Famous Tea Mountains of Xishuangbanna and lies north of Yiwu town in the greater Yiwu tea region.
This cake is made from 100% Spring Man Zhuan area material from Da Shu (large trees) aged approximately 60–80 years.
Tasting Notes
- Dry Leaf: Slightly fruity aroma
- Aroma in Cup: Pungent and expressive
- Liquor: Deep golden
- Minerality: High
- Sweetness: Background honey and nectar tones
- Texture: Smooth and fairly lubricating mouthfeel
- Astringency: Clean, structured spike to balance the sweetness
- Aftertaste: Long-lasting sweet apricot emerging around the third infusion
Sweetness becomes more pronounced from infusion three onward, revealing a delicate yet persistent apricot character. There is no mouth-puckering dryness — just a tidy, controlled structure holding everything together.
The cha qi appears lightly on the second cup and settles into a calm yet gently energetic presence.
Harvest: Spring 2018
Region: Man Zhuan, Yiwu, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
Tree Age: 60–80 years (Da Shu)
Storage: Guangdong (2018–2024)
Type: Raw (Sheng) Pu-erh Tea
lee –
I new I’d like this tea as soon as I opened the bag ?
The aroma off the dry leaves is very strong, fruity – savory nice.
The aroma off the rinse is more of the same. It takes a couple of infusions to get going, but after no 3 it’s giving a really nice stone fruit flavour, with a clinging sweetness in the sides of the mouth and a gentle energetic chi that I find very pleasant.
Out of the 5 2018 da Shu’s on offer it’s between this and the Yiwu wild for my favourite.
Christopher Wills –
Lively sweetness with a touch of punch if you brew it strong, very enjoyable, keeps you coming back for another cup!