Considered the highest point in Xishuangbanna (滑竹/huazhu = smooth bamboo, 梁子/liangzi = ridge), we initially took note of this area when passing by enroute to Naka in 2021, driving under a long, dreamy canopy of towering bamboo. Already behind schedule due to some “navigational issues”, we weren’t able to stop and explore on that day, but we committed to making this one of our stops for 2022. This year we were not disappointed at all.

This tea is a continuation of our love for all things Mengsong-area. Born from an environment similar to our Plum Beauty, this tea unsurprisingly has a lot in common with its aforementioned neighbors of Naka and Mengsong, which includes a nice balance of mineral sweetness, kuwei/pleasant bitterness, and notes of stone fruit. If we were to get even more specific, a slight peach quality can be picked up, at least in its fresh state. There is a delicate and smooth texture, making this an enjoyable tea on multiple levels.

As with several other teas we’ve offered, this one highlights the impact and importance of a clean, natural environment and offers an excellent experience for both new and experienced drinkers.

Picking period: April 1-10

$0.17/gram

Many of our samples for spring 2023 are in dragon ball form. While these balls will perform the same as the cake, they can be slightly trickier to brew. Here’s how we do it: