2018 Vintage Ancient Tree Ripe Pu-erh Dragon Ball

AROMA & CHARACTER

Handcrafted in 2018 from old-growth tea trees in Dìjiè Village, Menghai County, this Ripe Pu-erh Dragon Ball captures the essence of Yunnan’s rich terroir and traditional fermentation craft.

Each 8-gram pearl is carefully hand-rolled and naturally aged, allowing time to deepen its earthy sweetness and mellow body. The tea unfolds in layers of cocoa, red date, and soft wood, with a smooth, velvety texture that comforts the palate and warms the body.

Brewed in a gaiwan or small teapot, the liquor glows a deep amber-brown — clear, rich, and lingeringly sweet.

Balanced and soothing, this 2018 vintage Ripe Pu-erh offers a calm and grounding tea experience — a taste of time, patience, and Yunnan’s ancient tea mountains.

✨ Understanding Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh tea is one of China’s most distinctive teas, originating from Yunnan Province, where tea trees have grown for thousands of years. What makes Pu-erh unique is its post-fermentation process — the tea continues to age and transform after production, developing deeper and smoother flavors over time.

There are two main types of Pu-erh: Raw (Sheng) Pu-erh and Ripe (Shou) Pu-erh.

-Raw Pu-erh is naturally aged, with a bright, lively taste and sometimes astringent edge when young.

-Ripe Pu-erh, on the other hand, goes through a careful microbial fermentation that accelerates the aging process, giving it its signature deep color and mellow taste.

🍂 Ripe Pu-erh (Shou Pu-erh)

Ripe Pu-erh was developed in the 1970s as a way to recreate the smooth character of naturally aged Pu-erh more quickly. During fermentation, tea leaves are piled, moistened, and allowed to gently ferment over several weeks under controlled humidity and temperature. This process brings out a dark, earthy sweetness and a rich, velvety texture.

The best ripe Pu-erh, especially those made from ancient tea trees, have an unmistakable depth: smooth, rounded, and calming — a tea that feels like warmth spreading through the body.

Unlike most teas that are enjoyed fresh, Pu-erh gains value and complexity with age, much like fine wine. Aged Pu-erh becomes softer, sweeter, and more harmonious, its earthy notes turning into gentle wood, cocoa, or dried-fruit undertones.

When you drink Pu-erh, you don’t just Smell and taste it — you observe it. The liquor should be bright, clear, and deep in color, not dull or muddy. Take a look at the tea leaves, Some experienced tea drinkers like gently touching or pressing the brewed leaves, Good Pu-erh leaves are thick, elastic, and resilient, not fragile or easily broken.

🍃 Raw Pu-erh (Sheng Pu-erh)

Raw Pu-erh, known as Sheng Pu-erh in Chinese, is the original form of Pu-erh tea — lively, bright, and full of character. Unlike ripe Pu-erh, it is not artificially fermented. Instead, the tea leaves are gently sun-dried and naturally aged over years, slowly developing complexity through time and oxidation.

Young raw Pu-erh is vivid and energetic — brisk, floral, and sometimes pleasantly bitter — with a refreshing aroma that lingers in the mouth. As it ages, the tea’s sharp edges soften, revealing layers of honeyed sweetness, dried fruit, and gentle woodiness.

The finest raw Pu-erh, especially from ancient tea trees in Yunnan’s high mountains, carries a distinctive wild energy — pure, bright, and uplifting. Each infusion changes subtly, reflecting the terroir, the year, and even the hand of the maker.

To enjoy Sheng Pu-erh is to appreciate its transformation. Observe how the liquor shines golden and clear, how the aroma evolves with each steeping. Notice the leaves — thick, vibrant, and full of life. In every cup, there is both strength and grace — a living tea that matures, deepens, and breathes with time.

Light to Strong
Bitter / Astringent to Sweetness / Umaimi

Caffeine