2020 Bohetang Shengpu 薄荷塘 - Yiwu Terroir

Bòhétáng 薄荷塘 is located in the deep mist of Yiwu area, queen of shengpu and mother of Tribute Tea, at an altitude of about 1400-1600 meters. Its peculiar geographical location - difficult to reach due to impassable roads and scarce productivity, have historically made Bohetang tea rare and precious.

The very first sips of this tea further explain the reason for its value: a great sweetness immediately fills the palate, and the long thin leaves, full of precious buds, release a unique balsamic fragrance, unmatched even among the most famous pu'er tea mountains. This fresh hue turns to a delicate mellowness in the aftertaste, where a delicate note of raspberry jam and red apples comes out, together with a surprising umami note. The floral fragrance persists at the bottom of the teacup, with a delicate hue of Yunnan mushrooms, wild yet familiar.

Each producer of the area is officially certified, to clearly identify his trees and tea. The first tie of trees includes only 49 trees, owned by a single family with multiple siblings, and goes to a couple of dozen of  private buyers, with prohibitive among the highest of the industry. The second tie is composed by the best ancient trees, and the third one by the forested plantations in the limited Bohetang area.

A mountainous area which has been greatly esteemed for its distinctive gentle flavor, and eminently used as a tribute tea to the emperors who have desired its precious leaves, Yiwu has gained through the centuries the title of Queen of Shengpu. Many tea enthusiasts have written and talked about it, and numerous traders have claimed to own the original flavor of Yiwu. The different sides of this area all have their own unique flavor, and contibute to constantly recreate the idea of authenticity. To fully explore the wide rage of Yiwu's personality, try also our 2008 Guafengzhai Shengpu, available in the traditional 357 gr. compressed format.

Origin: Bohetang, Yiwu Mountain, Xishuangbanna, Southwest Yunnan
Flush: Spring 2020
Storage: the leaves can be stored in their original package or in ceramic vases. Avoid heat, light, and moisture.

Infusion Parameters

EASTERN BREWING
Quantity: 1 gr. of tea every 25 ml of water
Rinse: before starting the infusion, rinse the leaves one or two times with a very fast washing in order to let them rehydrate and release a more intense brew. Gently cover the leaves with boiling water and pour it after a few seconds.
Brewing time: Begin with a 10-second brew. Increase with each successive brew as needed. 
Water temperature: 95-100° C
Number of brews: 12-15


WESTERN BREWING
Quantity: 1 gr. of tea every 100 ml of water
Brewing time: 2-3 minutes
Water temperature: 95-100° C