Ba Fang Tea Garden "Palace Reserve" Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake — 2018 Spring Limited Edition (357g)

Intro:
A limited-edition ripe pu-erh crafted from old-tree spring leaves in Menghai, Xishuangbanna — the heartland of pu-erh tea. Only 12,018 cakes were pressed, each individually numbered. "Palace Reserve" (Gong Ting) refers to the highest leaf grade of ripe pu-erh, traditionally reserved for imperial tribute: small, tender, bud-rich leaves that yield an exceptionally smooth, clean cup.

Origin:
Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province — pressed in 2018 from spring-harvest old-tree material and aged since. Ripe pu-erh matures gracefully over time, and this cake has had years of natural aging to mellow and deepen.

Tasting Notes:
Deep chestnut-red liquor, clear and glossy. Smooth, full-bodied, and velvety on the palate, with notes of aged wood, dark dates, and sweet earth. No bitterness or astringency — finishes clean with a lingering natural sweetness. Re-steeps beautifully, 8+ infusions.

Brewing Instructions:
Break 5–8 grams from the cake. Rinse once with boiling water for 5 seconds and discard. Steep at 212°F (100°C) — western style: 1 tsp per 8oz, 3–4 minutes; gongfu style: short 10–20 second infusions, increasing with each steep. Excellent for many rounds throughout the day.