Old Tree Shu Puer Tea Cha Gao

Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao – Ancient-Tree Instant Puer Tea Paste

The deep, mellow character of ripe Puer tea, ready in moments. Our Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao is a concentrated Chinese tea extract made from aged-style, fermented Shu Puer produced using large-leaf tea material from Yunnan Province, China.

This specialist Cha Gao is described as being made from ancient-tree, or gushu, tea material. After the leaves undergo traditional ripe Puer fermentation and mellowing, the tea is concentrated into a small, solid extract that dissolves directly in hot water.

There is no need for loose leaves, a strainer or a long brewing session. Simply place a small portion in your cup, add hot water and stir gently. The result is a rich reddish-brown infusion with earthy aromas, aged-wood notes and a smooth, lingering sweetness.

It is a particularly appealing way to enjoy the flavour of ripe Puer at work, while travelling or whenever you want a satisfying cup without preparing a full teapot.

Origin: Yunnan Province, China
Tea Type: Shu (Ripe) Puer Tea
Source Material: Described as Ancient-Tree (Gushu) Large-Leaf Tea
Form: Solid Cha Gao Tea Extract
Processing: Ripe Puer Fermentation, Mellowing and Concentration
Flavour: Earthy, Woody, Smooth and Gently Sweet
Liquor Colour: Deep Reddish-Brown
Preparation: Dissolves in Hot Water
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine
Pack Options: 10, 20 or 50 Pieces

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What Is Cha Gao Tea?

Cha Gao (茶膏), often translated as "tea paste" or "tea resin", is a concentrated form of tea made by extracting the soluble components of tea leaves and reducing the liquid into a dense, solid form.

Unlike loose-leaf tea, which must be steeped and strained, Cha Gao is designed to dissolve in hot water. It offers the flavour of tea in a compact format that is easy to measure, carry and prepare.

Cha Gao has a long association with Chinese tea culture. Historical tea concentrates were valued for their portability and ease of preparation, while modern Cha Gao offers a practical way to enjoy traditional tea flavours without specialist equipment.

Although the finished pieces may look like small dark stones or fragments, they are concentrated tea extract rather than compressed whole leaves. Once placed in hot water, they gradually dissolve to create a full-flavoured infusion.

This makes Cha Gao quite different from a Puer tea cake or brick. A pressed tea cake contains leaves that must be infused; Cha Gao is already extracted and ready to dissolve.

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Ancient-Tree Shu Puer from Yunnan

Yunnan Province is the traditional home of Puer tea and is particularly well known for its large-leaf tea plants. Some tea-growing areas contain mature and long-established trees that are valued for their heritage and distinctive leaf material.

Our Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao is described as being made from ancient-tree, or gushu, material. The term is commonly used in specialist Puer tea to refer to tea sourced from mature, old tea trees.

This sourcing description distinguishes the selection from ordinary instant tea made without a stated tea-tree provenance. It also gives the product a closer connection to the traditional Yunnan Puer tea culture from which Cha Gao developed.

The old-tree material is processed as ripe Puer before being concentrated into tea extract. The resulting Cha Gao combines the familiar deep, earthy flavour of Shu Puer with the convenience of a quickly dissolving solid tea concentrate.

For anyone who enjoys Puer but does not always have time for a full brewing session, this is a practical way to keep its distinctive flavour close at hand.

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How Is Shu Puer Cha Gao Made?

Shu Puer, also called ripe or cooked Puer, is a post-fermented tea. Its characteristic dark colour and mellow flavour develop through a controlled fermentation process that transforms the leaves after their initial preparation.

Once the tea has been fermented and mellowed, it can be used to produce Cha Gao. The tea is extracted into water, and the resulting liquid is concentrated until it forms a dense material that can be portioned and stored.

The finished extract is rich in the soluble flavour components of the tea. When dissolved in hot water, it creates a deep-coloured infusion without leaving a mass of tea leaves behind.

This process gives Cha Gao its unusual combination of traditional tea character and modern convenience. It is compact enough to carry in a small bag or keep at your desk, yet offers the earthy richness associated with ripe Yunnan Puer.

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Tasting Notes

Attribute	Description
Aroma	Earthy notes, aged wood and gentle sweetness
Flavour	Rich, mellow and smooth, with a rounded earthy character
Liquor Colour	Deep reddish-brown
Mouthfeel	Full, rounded and soft
Finish	Lingering gentle sweetness with warm woody notes
Strength	Easy to adjust by adding more or less water

This Cha Gao is particularly enjoyable if you appreciate the deep flavour of ripe Puer without sharp bitterness. Its earthy and woody notes are balanced by a gentle sweetness that remains after drinking.

The strength is entirely in your hands. A smaller amount of water produces a darker, more concentrated cup, while additional water creates a lighter, smoother infusion.

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How to Prepare Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao

Preparing Cha Gao is wonderfully straightforward. Because it is already a concentrated tea extract, there is no need to steep leaves or strain the finished drink.

1. Place approximately 1g of Cha Gao in a heatproof cup or small teapot.
2. Add 150–200ml of water heated to 95–100°C.
3. Stir gently and allow the concentrate to dissolve fully.
4. Taste the tea and add more hot water if you prefer a lighter flavour.
5. Enjoy the smooth, earthy infusion while warm.

Preparation Style	Suggested Ratio	Result
Classic Cha Gao Cup	Approximately 1g in 150–200ml water at 95–100°C	Rich, smooth and full-flavoured
Milder Cup	Approximately 1g in 250–300ml hot water	Lighter body and gentler earthy flavour
Stronger Cup	Approximately 1g in 100–150ml hot water	More concentrated, deeper flavour
Large Mug	Start with 1g and adjust the water to taste	A convenient everyday Puer drink

Preparation tip: Start with the standard 1g portion rather than adding several pieces at once. You can easily make the tea stronger by reducing the amount of water, or milder by topping it up.

There is no need to rinse the concentrate or discard an initial infusion. Unlike whole-leaf Puer, Cha Gao is intended to dissolve into the water and be consumed as the finished tea.

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Cha Gao vs Traditional Loose-Leaf Puer Tea

Both Cha Gao and traditional Shu Puer share the deep, mellow character associated with fermented Yunnan tea, but they offer very different preparation experiences.

Feature	Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao	Traditional Shu Puer Leaves
Form	Solid, concentrated tea extract	Loose leaves or compressed tea cake
Preparation	Dissolve directly in hot water	Infuse the leaves, then strain
Equipment	Only a cup and hot water	Usually a teapot, gaiwan or infuser
Brewing Time	Ready once dissolved	Requires steeping time
Flavour	Concentrated, earthy and smooth	Develops across individual infusions
Best For	Travel, work and quick preparation	Traditional tea sessions and exploring multiple infusions

If you enjoy the convenience of Cha Gao but would also like to experience traditional ripe Puer leaves, explore our 2017 Aged Shu Puer Tea Brick.

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Why Choose Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao?

• Ancient-tree sourcing: Described as made from Yunnan gushu large-leaf tea material.
• Traditional ripe Puer: Rich, mellow character developed through Shu Puer fermentation.
• Instant preparation: Dissolves in hot water without a strainer.
• Deep flavour: Earthy, woody notes with gentle lingering sweetness.
• Compact format: Easy to keep at work or take travelling.
• Adjustable strength: Simply vary the amount of water.
• No loose-leaf waste: The concentrate dissolves into the finished drink.
• Specialist tea selection: A distinctive way to experience Yunnan Puer.
• Pack options: Available in quantities of 10, 20 and 50 pieces.

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Ingredients

Concentrated Shu Puer tea extract (Camellia sinensis).

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Storage Recommendations

Keep Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture and strong odours.

Because Cha Gao is a concentrated extract, it is important to protect it from humidity. Keep the pieces dry until use and reseal the packaging carefully after opening.

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Explore More Cha Gao Teas

Old Tree Shu Puer Cha Gao is a lovely introduction to the world of traditional Chinese tea concentrates. It brings together the depth of fermented Yunnan Puer and the convenience of a tea that can be prepared almost anywhere.

For another ancient-tree selection, discover our Toppest Old Tree Aged Cha Gao Tea. If you prefer a different flavour, try our Sticky Rice Flavour Ripe Puer Cha Gao or Aged Puer & Chen Pi Cha Gao.

New to tea concentrates? Our Cha Gao Trial Mystery Mixed Bag offers an enjoyable way to explore different styles.

Browse the complete Cha Gao Tea Collection or read our guide, Cha Gao Tea: The Ancient Puer Essence for Modern Life, to discover more about this unusual tea format.