Rare 1996 Yiwu Old Tree Sheng Puer Tea

Rare 1996 Yiwu Old Tree Sheng Puer Tea (Raw Puer Tea)

At almost 30 years old, this 1996 Yiwu Old Tree Sheng Puer represents one of the most treasured expressions of traditional Yunnan raw Puer.

This is a serious tea, one for collectors and for people who will appreciate this fine Puer, like a fine wine! We are very lucky to have this rare Puer, which was part of a tea master's collection. We only have 10kg, and once it's gone, it's gone.

Harvested from 220-year-old ancient tea trees on Yiwu Mountain, one of the famed Six Great Tea Mountains, this tea has been naturally aged for decades, allowing its character to evolve into something profoundly smooth, mature, and complex.

Crafted from Yunnan big-leaf varietal, the material possesses exceptional thickness, strength, and mineral richness. Over nearly 30 years of storage, the once youthful and astringent qualities have transformed into a deeply mellow, elegant, and harmoniously aged profile, characteristic of well-preserved Yiwu teas.

The leaves, originally handpicked using the tender one bud with two leaves standard, have developed the hallmarks of fine vintage Sheng Puer: a soft camphor note, warm woody sweetness, and an enduring hui gan (returning sweetness). The tea liquor is now a smooth amber-gold, reflecting both the mountain’s high altitude (1800m) and the slow, graceful ageing process.

Long-respected for its gentle energy and comfortable body feeling, Yiwu Sheng Puer is beloved by collectors and seasoned tea drinkers alike, and this 1996 vintage stands as a prime example of why.

Origin: Yiwu Mountain, Yunnan Province, China
Tea Type: Sheng (Raw) Pu’erh
Harvest Date: April 1996
Leaf Variety: Yunnan Large-Leaf (Da Ye Zhong)
Tree Age: ~220 Years Old (Gushu / Ancient Tree)
Picking Standard: One Bud with Two Leaves
Altitude: 1800 m

Tasting Notes

Why This Tea Is Exceptional

• Authentic Yiwu Gushu material, tea trees around 220 years old
• Nearly three decades of natural ageing, developing mature complexity
• High-altitude terroir (1800 m) for refined sweetness and clarity
• Rare Sheng Puer with soft energy, balanced structure, and enduring aroma
• Smooth, elegant drinking experience, suitable for meditation or slow appreciation

Brewing Guide

Gongfu Style (Recommended):

• Tea Amount: 5–6g
• Water Temperature: 95–100 °C (203–212 °F)
• Rinse: 1 quick wash (optional)
• 1st Steep: 8–12 seconds
• Later Steeps: Add 5–10 seconds per infusion

Western Brewing:

• Tea Amount: 3–4g per 300 ml
• Steep Time: 2–3 minutes at 95–100 °C
• Can be re-steeped 2–3 times

Tip: Aged Sheng Puer reveals many layers. Use pure, soft water to highlight its minerality and sweetness.

Storage Notes

Store in a well-ventilated, dry environment away from strong odours. Aged Sheng Puer continues to evolve; proper storage will maintain and even elevate its character over time.