2023 Qianjiazhai Single Tree Sheng
2023 Qianjiazhai Single Tree Sheng
Crafted by the Dongsa Cooperative
- DATE OF PICKINGApril 2023
- QianjiazhaiMt. Ailao, Yunnan
- ELEVATION2003 M
- Qianjiazhai AssamicaTea Varietal
Qianjiazhai is home to some of the oldest tea trees in the world. Once again, we are extremely lucky this year to be able to offer a single-tree harvest from the oldest tree on the Li Family’s high elevation plot, estimated to 1300 years based on its trunk diameter. Located at 24°16'13.6"N and 101°12'19.6"E, this single tree needs to be carefully climbed to sustainably harvest about ten kilograms of leaf per year. Growing out of a rocky mountainside, and surrounded by a biodiverse wild growth of evergreens, tulsi plants and flowers, this tree benefits from cool misty air, and mineral-rich soil. It takes three people with linked arms to circle the trunk! The deep roots and thousand plus years of fighting for survival give this tea an incredible complexity full of yun cooling sensation and aloeswood incense undertones. The Li Family works with Master Zhou to dry this tea in bamboo baskets in the sun, and hand finish the maocha for traditional stone pressing. Even within a microclimate like Qianjiazhai, each mountaintop and valley has its own unique qualities, and the cooperative selected this tree as worthwhile to finish separate from their blended cakes to show off the stunning terroir and the complexity that is possible with ancient tree stock. Set aside a few cakes for aging and the yun cooling and tingling qualities continue to develop over the years.
We’ve been following this tree for nine years now and have been blown away with the development we see in cellaring.
Available this year in 25g loose leaf, 100g tea cakes and 250g pressings
Tasting Profile
- spice - eucalyptus, aloeswood
- vegetal - sweet fresh basil
- floral - daffodil
- fruit - mango
- savory - shortbread
- texture - cooling ,tingling, yun
the Dongsa Cooperative also recommends:
'This year, Master Zhou introduced us to another beautiful ancient tea tree with its own unique micro climate and distinctive flavor and aroma. The tree can be found at 24°16’13.6″N 101°12’19.6″E, at just over 2000 meters. The cooperative was kind enough to set aside the entire harvest of 2016 for us'
Steeping Instructions
Western
4 g.6-8
oz.use 205° watersteep 30 secondsresteep many times
add 15-30 sec. each infusionGongfu
4 g.6 ozuse 205° watersteep 10 seconds
add 10-30 sec. per steepingenjoy many steepingsIced/Cold
4 g.12
oz.use room temp. waterrefrigerate overnight
8 hoursadd ice & enjoy