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Every spring, the ancient tea mountains of Yunnan call. And I return not only as a tea curator, but as a listener, a student, and a seeker of truth behind every leaf.
This year’s sourcing trip led me to one of the most legendary villages in the world of Chinese tea: Lao Ban Zhang (老班章) known widely as the “King of Raw Pu Erh Tea.”
Located deep within the Bu Lang Mountains of Xishuangbanna, this village produces some of the most sought-after Gushu (ancient tree) Pu’er tea in the world.
But to truly understand Lao Ban Zhang tea, you have to go beyond the label. You have to stand in the forest, shake the hands of the farmers, and walk the very paths where these trees have grown for centuries.
📍 Why Lao Ban Zhang?
If you’ve ever explored premium Pu Erh tea, you’ve heard the name. Lao Ban Zhang is not only famous, it’s foundational to the story of high-mountain, ancient tree raw Pu’er tea.
At over 1,800 meters above sea level, the trees here grow wild and tall in nutrient-rich soil, wrapped in morning mist. The resulting tea is bold, intense, and unforgettable — with a powerful Cha Qi (茶气), penetrating bitterness, and an enduring sweetness that coats the throat.
This isn’t just tea. It’s energy, terrain, and tradition — all compressed into a single cake.
🧭 The Journey to the Source
Sourcing directly from Lao Ban Zhang is never simple. It took hours of steep climbs, winding roads, and careful planning but the reward was far greater than any map could measure.
I spent days in the village, meeting with multi-generational tea farmers, walking through old-growth tea gardens, and hand-selecting leaves from specific Gushu plots. These trees are never cloned, never over-harvested each one offers its own unique expression of the land.
This kind of work requires trust, patience, and presence. There are no shortcuts here and that’s exactly why the tea is so rare.
🔥 From Mountain to Cake: How Our Lao Ban Zhang Tea Is Made
After harvest, the leaves were pan-fired, sun-dried, and stone-pressed, all using traditional methods. We carefully monitored the spring picking, selecting only the first flush, when the tea is most vibrant and full of life.
Our Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu Erh Tea is single origin, single batch, and naturally unblended, a true reflection of the season, the tree, and the mountain.
🍵 What Sets This Pu Erh Tea Apart?
There are many great Pu Erh teas in the world but few possess the depth, power, and purity of Lao Ban Zhang.
What makes this tea so special?
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Ancient Gushu trees that are hundreds of years old
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High elevation and rich biodiversity
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A tea community that protects its heritage
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A cup that starts bitter, then melts into sweetness with long-lasting aroma and warmth
This tea isn’t just tasted, it’s felt.
💬 Why Direct Sourcing Matters
Many Pu Erh teas on the market carry big names, but few are truly sourced from the original villages. Some are blended, others falsely labeled, and many pass through layers of resellers losing traceability and freshness.
At Tea & Leaf, we travel to origin, work directly with farmers, and select every batch ourselves. This ensures not only authenticity, but integrity and a cup that delivers everything Pu’er should be: grounding, energizing, and unforgettable.
This is the Tea & Leaf difference: we don't just sell tea, we go find it.
🌱 Final Thoughts
Standing among ancient trees, sharing stories with farmers, and watching steam rise from sun-dried leaves, this is where tea becomes more than a product. It becomes a connection. A ritual. A reminder of the time and care behind every brew.
We invite you to taste the journey for yourself.