Every Spring, the Mountains Call
Each spring, the ancient tea mountains of Yunnan call — and I return not just as a curator, but as a listener and seeker of the truth behind every leaf.
This year’s sourcing journey led me deep into the Bulang Mountains of Xishuangbanna, to the legendary village of Lao Ban Zhang (老班章) — revered across China as the “King of Raw Pu-erh Tea.”
At Tea & Leaf, we believe that sourcing tea isn’t about collecting leaves; it’s about building relationships, honoring the land, and listening to the mountain’s voice in every cup.
📍 Why Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh Is So Famous
If you’ve ever explored premium Yunnan Pu-erh, you’ve likely heard the name Lao Ban Zhang.
It is the benchmark for high-mountain Gushu (古树, ancient tree) teas — renowned for its depth, purity, and powerful Cha Qi (茶气).
At over 1,800 meters above sea level, Lao Ban Zhang’s old trees thrive in red, mineral-rich soil and constant mountain mist.
The result? A tea that is:
- Bold and intense, yet refined
- Bittersweet, transforming into a lingering Huigan (回甘) — the returning sweetness after each sip
- Rich in Cha Qi, the life force that energizes body and spirit
This is not just tea — it’s terrain, tradition, and time, pressed into a single cake.
🧭 The Journey to the Source
Reaching Lao Ban Zhang means hours of winding mountain roads through dense rainforest.
But once there, the reward transcends distance.
I spent days walking ancient tea forests, speaking with multi-generational tea farmers, and hand-selecting leaves from true Gushu trees.
These ancient trees are never cloned or over-harvested — each carries its own terroir, history, and energy.
True sourcing requires patience, trust, and humility — the same values that define the tea itself.
🔥 From Mountain to Cake — Traditional Craftsmanship
After harvesting the first spring flush, our Lao Ban Zhang leaves are:
- Pan-fired by hand to halt oxidation
- Sun-dried naturally under the open Yunnan sky
- Stone-pressed into cakes using time-honored methods
The result is a single-origin, single-batch, unblended Raw Pu-erh — a pure reflection of its mountain, season, and tree.
🍵 What Makes Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh Unique
Many teas please the palate; few move the spirit.
Here’s what makes Lao Ban Zhang stand apart:
- Gushu trees aged 100–300+ years
- High-altitude terroir with pristine biodiversity
- Protected heritage and ethically farmed plots
- Distinct flavor evolution: sharp opening → deep sweetness
- Intense Cha Qi — grounding yet luminous energy
This is a tea you don’t just drink — you feel.
💬 Why Direct Sourcing Matters
In today’s market, many teas carry famous village names — but few are authentic.
Blends, false labeling, and middlemen often dilute the truth of origin.
At Tea & Leaf, we:
- Travel to Bulang Mountain each spring
- Work directly with Lao Ban Zhang farmers
- Press our own cakes on-site for full traceability
- Guarantee every tea is authentic, fresh, and ethical
The result is a cup that embodies integrity, energy, and truth — the hallmarks of genuine Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh.
🌱 A Living Connection
Standing among 300-year-old trees, hearing farmers’ laughter echo through the mist, and watching leaves sun-dry on bamboo trays — this is where tea becomes more than a product.
It becomes a living connection — between land, people, and spirit.
Our 2025 Lao Ban Zhang Gushu Raw Pu-erh embodies that connection: bold, pure, and alive.
👉 Shop Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea
👉 Learn More About Our Yunnan Sourcing Trips
Taste the King of Pu-erh — where ancient roots meet living energy, only from Tea & Leaf.
🫖 Frequently Asked Questions About Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh Tea
1. What is Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh tea?
Lao Ban Zhang (老班章) is a famous village in Bulang Mountain, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, known for producing powerful, long-aged Raw Pu-erh teas.
It’s celebrated for its strong Cha Qi, complex aroma, and long-lasting sweetness (Huigan).
2. What makes Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh special?
- Ancient Gushu trees (100–300+ years old)
- 1,800m altitude with mineral-rich soil
- Powerful bitterness-to-sweetness transformation
- Strong Cha Qi that brings warmth and focus
3. Where is Lao Ban Zhang located?
Located in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, surrounded by rainforests and villages like Xin Ban Zhang and Lao Man’e — only Lao Ban Zhang’s core area produces the true King of Pu-erh.
4. What does Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh taste like?
- Aroma: woody, herbal, slightly smoky
- Taste: strong initial bitterness with returning sweetness
- Aftertaste: warm, sweet Huigan
- Energy: deeply grounding and awakening
5. What is Cha Qi?
Cha Qi (茶气) is the tea’s energy — how it makes you feel after drinking.
Lao Ban Zhang’s Gushu trees and terroir give it one of the strongest Cha Qi of any tea, often described as warming, meditative, and life-enhancing.
6. How is Tea & Leaf’s Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh sourced?
- Directly from Lao Ban Zhang farmers each spring
- Single-origin, single-batch, Gushu-only leaves
- Traditional hand-processing and stone-pressing
- Unblended and traceable from tree to cup
7. How do you brew Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh?
For the best experience, brew Gongfu-style:
- 5–7g tea per 100ml gaiwan
- Water: 95–100°C
- First infusion: 5–10 seconds, then increase gradually
Each infusion reveals new layers of bitterness, sweetness, and Cha Qi.
8. Why is Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh so expensive?
Lao Ban Zhang’s yield is extremely limited — ancient trees, small core area, and high demand make it one of China’s most valuable and collectible teas.
✨ Explore the King of Pu-erh
Experience the power, purity, and spirit of Yunnan’s most legendary tea.
🛒 Shop Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea
🌿 Discover Our Yunnan Sourcing Trips
Taste the living essence of Lao Ban Zhang — where ancient roots, mountain mist, and human craftsmanship converge in every cup.
