Laobanzhang Carefully Selected Trees Raw Pu’er Tea Cake – 200g

What’s the pinnacle of Gongfu tea?   It has to be Lao Banzhang Pu’er — a name every true tea lover knows.

Think of it as the Rolls-Royce of tea, the Lafite of brews, the Blue Mountain of the tea world.

Because Lao Banzhang is rare and expensive, counterfeits flood the market.   To protect this thousand-year-old ancient tea garden, only those with deep partnerships with local farmers can enter during the spring harvest.   Bringing in tea from other mountains is strictly forbidden.

Today, only three companies in the world have processing factories in Lao Banzhang — baiyunteahouse is one of them.   You're welcome to visit our ancient tea garden in person — don't be fooled by fakes!

The taste?   Bold and intense.   Bitter at first, but quickly turns sweet, with rich floral and fruity notes that bloom in the mouth.   After three years of aging, the flavor reaches new heights — this is the true summit of Gongfu tea.

Precision Picked, Pure Power – A Refined Laobanzhang Experience

This 200g tea cake represents the Tiaocai (挑采 – Carefully Picked) grade from Baiyun Teahouse’s Laobanzhang series. Sourced from selected trees within our ancient gardens in the core area of Laobanzhang, this tea balances raw intensity with elegance. Every leaf is hand-picked from the strongest, healthiest trees — giving you Laobanzhang’s signature cha qi, with a more refined touch.

📍 Origin: Laobanzhang Village, Bulang Mountain, Xishuangbanna
🌳 Selection: Carefully chosen ancient trees (Tiaocai grade)
🧱 Type: 200g compressed cake
🕊️ Category: Raw Pu’er (Sheng Cha)
🏷️ Grade: Tiaocai – Selected Ancient Trees

👑 What Is "Tiaocai" Laobanzhang?

In the world of ancient tea trees, not all trees are equal.
Tiaocai refers to a careful in-garden selection process:
Only those trees that show the best vitality, leaf quality, and aroma concentration are picked.

This ensures better consistency and a more balanced drinking experience — still wild, still powerful, but with fewer sharp edges than broader Gushu harvests.

🍵 Flavor Profile

First Impression: Noticeably strong, yet smoother than Gushu — bitter but round, with fast-emerging sweetness.
Aroma: Clear wildflower and orchid tones, with a fresh alpine breeze.
Mouthfeel: Clean, smooth, and thick — less aggressive but still deep.
Aftertaste: Long-lasting sweetness (huigan), cooling throat feel, and subtle stone fruit notes.
Brew Durability: 18–20 infusions, consistently expressive over time.

🌱 Why Choose Tiaocai?

Tiaocai stands between full Gushu and mass-picked tea.
It is:

✅ More stable and consistent across brews
✅ Slightly gentler than full Gushu, easier for daily gong fu sessions
✅ Still rich in cha qi, with clear Laobanzhang characteristics
✅ Ideal for those who seek strength and elegance together

🧘♂️ Who Is This Tea For?

Perfect for tea lovers ready to explore the subtleties of high-grade Pu’er.

If you’ve had strong teas before but want something more nuanced — Tiaocai offers the best of both worlds: bold flavor with controlled power.

🍂 Aging Potential

With a strong leaf structure and clear mountain character, Tiaocai-grade Laobanzhang also ages beautifully:

📈 Steady transformation in aroma and mouthfeel
🧳 Suitable for 5–15+ years of storage
🎁 Balanced enough to drink young, yet complex enough to age with grace

📦 Storage Tips

Store in breathable containers (like unglazed clay or paper wrappers)
Environment: dry, cool, odor-free, and away from light
Avoid sealed tins and excessive humidity

🔥 Brewing Guide (Gong Fu Style)

Water temperature: 95–100°C (203–212°F)
Leaf-to-water ratio: 8g per 120ml
Rinse: Quick rinse (5 seconds)
Teaware: Gaiwan or small Yixing pot recommended
Infusions: 18–20+ rounds
Enjoy slowly — observe how bitterness softens and sweetness lingers

2025 Laobanzhang Spring Tea Pre-Sale

✅ Baiyun Teahouse Guarantee

All of our Laobanzhang Tiaocai teas:

✔️ Come from hand-selected ancient trees in our own gardens
✔️ Are verifiably pure — no mixing, no plantation leaves
✔️ Include full batch/year traceability
✔️ Offer a refined version of the classic Laobanzhang experience

🎁 Gifts & Bundle Discount

🎁 Single Cake Purchase: Comes with a Baiyun Teahouse Tea Pick
🎁 Buy All Three Laobanzhang Types:
  • Gushu – Ancient Tree
  • Tiaocai – Carefully Selected Trees
  • Xuanzhu – Rare Single Bush Selection
  ➡ Enjoy a special bundle price when you collect the complete trio

Below is the paper agreement signed between our China headquarters and Laobanzhang Plot No. 89.
To protect the interests of the ancient Laobanzhang tea garden, the pricing information in the agreement has been concealed.