Yi Tian Jian 2007 (Meng Hai 2009)8Y07 Harvest: Spring 2007, gepresst 2009
Origin: China / Yunnan / Xishuangbanna / Menghai
Height: m.a.s.l
Tea plant varietal: Qiao Mu Da Ye Zhong (alte Teebäume)
A very good fermented Pu Er Cake made from leaves of old tea trees, blended from various mountains in the region of Menghai. The tea is made from buds and mature leaves harvested in the spring of 2007, but it has only been pressed in 2009 in Menghai. The reddish buds lend the tea a tangy-aromatic note while the mature leaves add sweetness and an earthy character. The name Yitianjian means leaning on the sword of the sky. Stored in China until 2016.
Character:
A smell of mossy stones, warm wood and sweet earth. The taste is sweet, soft and gentle, reminding of dried fruit, very dry wood and leaves on the autumnal forest floor.
Category:
Shu Bing Cha (fermentierte Pu Er Cakes) Shucha, literally mature tea are a modern invention but which is better known in the West than the traditional Shengcha. It is since the 1970's, and according to some sources even earlier, that Pu'er Shucha is being produced. The leaves are subjected to an artificial process of post-fermentation induced by human influence (Rengong Houfajiao), which lasts for about two to three months. This process has been adopted from the ancient way of Heicha production, however it has been modified, improved and prolonged. Often, the teas are then pressed and dried, but they can also be sold as loose leaf tea. Shucha keeps on fermenting, just as Shengcha does, however it changes much slower than the latter. Old Shucha teas can be very expensive, just like Shengcha. In taste they change and mature, too: younger Shucha are really full and earthy, but less balanced than older teas of the kind.
Storage:
Earthy, dark and heavy. Produced by using the process of Human induced post-fermentation. Through years of storage it keeps being fermented microbially, losing somewhat of its crudeness and gains depth, sweetness and mellowness.