Yiwu Gua Feng Zhai Cha Wang Di 2026 - Sheng Pu'er (Raw)

This is a 2026 harvest sheng pu'er from Cha Wang Shu 茶王樹 ("tea king tree"), known to buyers outside Yunnan as Cha Wang Di 茶王地, a named area inside Gua Feng Zhai, a village deep in the Yiwu tea area of eastern Xishuangbanna. Cha Wang Shu lies within the state-owned forest (guo you lin 國有林), and the leaves come from old, large-leaf tea trees native to Yunnan, growing in and around the forest rather than on a plantation.

Within Gua Feng Zhai, tea gardens are traditionally identified by individual land parts (di kuai 地塊) rather than by the village alone. Well-known micro-origins include You Jia Bian Cha (有家邊茶), Baishahe (白沙河), Lan Shi Di (爛石地), Cha Wang Shu (茶王樹), and Hei Shui Liangzi (黑水梁子). Each parcel has its own terrain, ecology, and growing conditions, resulting in subtle differences in character.

Among them, Cha Wang Shu is one of the most recognized and sought-after origins. Its older tea trees grow in a well-preserved woodland ecosystem. The land here is unusual even by Yiwu standards. Locals call it "red stony soil" - a mix of red earth and stone that drains well and breathes easily. The humus layer is thick, the organic matter is high, and the ground carries a wide range of minerals. Days here run close to twelve hours of light, and the trees grow slowly through it.

The tea itself starts off sweet. The first note that arrives is a salty-sweet note that sits on the tip of the tongue - a specific sensation we warmly remember from our beloved Liang Guo Shui. It is elegant, soft, and smooth in the mouth, without pushing itself forward. The second and third infusions continue on the same line, without dramatic shifts. Kougan 口感 (mouthfeel) is very good, and the huigan 回甘 (returning sweetness) is long and steady. Among the Yiwu teas we tasted this harvest, this is the one that stands out as a tea ready to drink now, without waiting.