Chalao 2021 Lao Man’e Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Tea | Bold Coffee Notes - 12 x 7g
Chalao 茶佬 2021 is a bold and powerful ripe pu-erh tea crafted from ancient-tree leaves harvested in Lao Man’e — one of Bulang Mountain’s most legendary Pu-erh tea villages. Known for its intense character and naturally bitter-sweet profile, Lao Man’e produces a uniquely strong shou with deep roasted richness and espresso-like notes. Fermented in 2021 and shaped into convenient 7 g mini cakes, this tea delivers thick body, dark sweetness, and the unmistakable strength of Bulang Mountain’s ancient trees.
✓ Ancient-Tree Lao Man’e Material — Creates powerful, bittersweet ripe pu-erh tea with exceptional depth.
✓ Bold Coffee & Dark Cocoa Notes — Naturally roasted aroma reminiscent of espresso.
✓ Thick, Oily Mouthfeel — Deep, full-bodied texture that stands out from typical shou Pu-erh.
✓ Strong Tea Energy (茶气) — Warming, grounding, and invigorating.
✓ Convenient 7 g Mini Cakes — Easy brewing with consistent strength and flavor.
Rich, bold, and intensely flavorful, Chalao 茶佬 2021 is a coffee-forward ripe pu-erh tea designed for drinkers who love depth, strength, and dark roasted character. A perfect choice for both experienced tea lovers and coffee drinkers seeking something powerful, grounding, and memorable.
Chalao 茶佬 2021 is a bold and powerful ripe pu-erh tea crafted from ancient-tree leaves harvested in Lao Man’e — one of Bulang Mountain’s most legendary Pu-erh tea villages. Known for its intense character and naturally bitter-sweet profile, Lao Man’e produces a uniquely strong shou with deep roasted richness and espresso-like notes. Fermented in 2021 and shaped into convenient 7 g mini cakes, this tea delivers thick body, dark sweetness, and the unmistakable strength of Bulang Mountain’s ancient trees.
✓ Ancient-Tree Lao Man’e Material — Creates powerful, bittersweet ripe pu-erh tea with exceptional depth.
✓ Bold Coffee & Dark Cocoa Notes — Naturally roasted aroma reminiscent of espresso.
✓ Thick, Oily Mouthfeel — Deep, full-bodied texture that stands out from typical shou Pu-erh.
✓ Strong Tea Energy (茶气) — Warming, grounding, and invigorating.
✓ Convenient 7 g Mini Cakes — Easy brewing with consistent strength and flavor.
Rich, bold, and intensely flavorful, Chalao 茶佬 2021 is a coffee-forward ripe pu-erh tea designed for drinkers who love depth, strength, and dark roasted character. A perfect choice for both experienced tea lovers and coffee drinkers seeking something powerful, grounding, and memorable.
Aroma: Dark roasted coffee, raw cocoa, warm wood, wet forest earth
Taste: Bold bittersweet character, espresso-like richness, dark cocoa, and warm roasted grain sweetness
Texture: Thick, oily, full-bodied — a hallmark of Lao Man’e ancient-tree material
Aftertaste: Long, dark, powerful, and warming with lingering roasted sweetness
Situated in the heart of Bulang Mountain, Lao Man’e (老曼峨) is renowned for producing some of Yunnan’s most intense and powerful teas. Ancient-tree leaves here are unusually thick, mineral-rich, and bitter-sweet — traits that transform beautifully during ripe Pu-erh fermentation.
This region produces ripe pu-erh tea with:
- Deeper roasted aroma
- Stronger, darker sweetness
- More body and bitterness than Menghai or Lincang shou
- Unique “coffee-like” notes cherished by bold tea lovers
Lao Man’e shou pu-erh is unmistakable — a rare combination of strength, clarity, and dark sweetness rooted in one of Yunnan’s most famous tea villages.
Chalao 茶佬 stands apart for its espresso-like intensity, ancient-tree complexity, and unmistakable Bulang character. The combination of Lao Man’e bitterness, 2021 clean fermentation, and ancient-arbor leaf density creates a tea that is:
- Strong
- Warming
- Aromatic
- Bold
- Deeply satisfying
Perfect for drinkers who appreciate powerful ripe pu-erh tea with real personality.
Once water touches the 7 g mini cake, bold roasted aromas rise instantly — dark coffee, warm wood, deep forest earth. The liquor becomes thicker and darker with each infusion, offering a long-lasting bittersweet profile that gradually softens into warm sweetness.
For full brewing instructions, see our guide:
👉 The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Brewing Pu-erh Tea
This tea is perfect for grounding moments, cold weather, or replacing your morning coffee.
From the legendary Lao Man’e (老曼峨) region in Yunnan, China, Chalao 2021 Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh tea embodies the raw power, depth, and unmistakable character of Bulang Mountain’s ancient tea forests. Lao Man’e is renowned for producing some of Yunnan’s boldest teas — leaves that grow thick, mineral-rich, and intensely bitter-sweet on centuries-old arbor trees rooted deep in the mountain soil.
“Chalao (茶佬)” translates to “Tea Elder” or “Tea Master,” symbolizing mastery, experience, and a palate that appreciates strength. This tea lives up to its name. Crafted from ancient-tree leaves and fermented through the traditional wo dui method, Chalao 2021 reveals a smooth yet powerful profile — a balance of depth, intensity, and refinement shaped by Lao Man’e’s rugged terroir.
Each 7 g mini cake brews into a rich, dark liquor layered with roasted coffee, dark wood, raw cacao, molasses sweetness, and warm forest earth. The liquor is thick, oily, and velvety, delivering the bold, bittersweet character that Bulang tea lovers seek. With every infusion, the tea reveals new dimensions — bitterness transforming into dark sweetness, strength becoming warmth, and intensity settling into calm.
Aged since 2021, this shou Pu-erh tea carries the grounding energy and digestive comfort that make high-quality shou so cherished by collectors and connoisseurs. Whether enjoyed in slow morning sessions, after meals, or during quiet evening reflection, Chalao 2021 offers warmth, clarity, and a powerful yet comforting presence.
This is a tea for those who appreciate boldness, complexity, and the true spirit of Bulang Mountain — a tea that warms the body, focuses the mind, and honors the ancient forests from which it was born.
Tea Type: Ripe Pu-erh Tea (Shou Pu-erh Tea)
Fermentation Year: 2021
Pressing: 2025
Region: Lao Man’e, Bulang Mountain, Yunnan, China
Tree Type: Ancient-Arbor Material (Gushu)
Material: First-grade old-tree ripe Pu-erh
Weight: 12 × 7g mini tea cakes (84g total)
Packaging: Packaged in a 12 × 7g tin caddy
Aging & Storage: Clean, stable storage; flavor will continue to deepen and sweeten with time
Recommended Brew Style: Gongfu brewing or mug brewing
- Strong-flavor lovers
- Coffee drinkers
- Seasoned Pu-erh drinkers
- Those who enjoy deep, roasted, earthy profiles
- Anyone seeking powerful tea energy
- Fans of Lao Man’e or Bulang Mountain terroir
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