2001 Vintage Ripe Yi Wu Pu Erh

This limited and rare aged Pu Erh tea was harvested and pressed in 2001. Its rich, spicy flavour deepens with further ageing over the years. After being harvested in Yi Wu Menghai, Yunnan, it was wet piled to encourage microbial fermentation, after which it was carefully handled and left to age in bamboo baskets in strict, dry-stored conditions in Guangdong.  This exceptional vintage product produces a deep red infusion that combines complex aromas of maturity and spice with a peat-like quality akin to aged whisky. The taste is notably similar, complemented by a pleasant hint of roasted stone fruit. Enjoying this tea imparts a sense of vitality, as though the leaves are revitalised by the hot water, allowing their two decades of carefully preserved quality to fully unfold.

Pu Erh is a highland region in southwestern China, where tea has been cultivated for over 1,700 years. Traditionally, Pu Erh tea is made from the leaves of the Qingmao tree, a plant that can grow up to 30 metres tall and live for over 800 years. The long history and unique origins of this tea are just some of the reasons why Pu Erh tea is so highly valued. Its special ageing and preparation processes make it a prized treasure among tea lovers. Like fine cheese or wine, Pu Erh tea matures over many years. Some of the most treasured varieties are aged for over 70 years. The aging process, based on fermentation, typically lasts between five and ten years—and even after that, it continues to develop, adding to the distinctiveness of Pu Erh tea.

The most famous cultivation area for Pu Erh tea is the Six Famous Tea Mountains in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The region's unique climate and soil composition create ideal conditions for producing this exceptional tea. The mountains, all located northeast of the Lancang River (Mekong), are renowned for their extraordinary flavour profiles. The most notable mountains include: Gedeng, Yiwu, Mangzhi, Manzhuan, Yibang, and Y?ulè.

Pu Erh tea is credited with a variety of positive health effects. It can lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and has a mild appetite-suppressing effect. In China, it is often appreciated as an aid for weight management. Its digestive benefits make it an ideal choice after heavy meals, and its antioxidant properties contribute to the body's detoxification process.

This Pu Erh tea pairs beautifully with chocolate, coffee desserts, or robust red meats. It is the perfect conclusion to a rich meal, allowing its full depth and complexity to be appreciated.