10 Rare Pu Erh Tea Varieties Explained

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Pu erh tea, a fermented variety from China's Yunnan province, hs captivated tea enthusiasts for centuries. Its rich flavors and potential health benefits have made it increasingly popular worldwide in recent years.

We're excited to explore 10 rare pu erh varieties in this article. These unique teas offer a range of tastes and aromas that showcase the diversity within this fascinating category of tea. From aged vintages to special production methods, each variety has its own story to tell.

1) Lao Ban Zhang

Lao Ban Zhang is widely regarded as the most prestigious and sought-after Pu Erh tea variety. It hails from the Lao Ban Zhang village in Yunnan Province, China, which sits at an elevation of around 1,700 meters.

The tea trees in this region are centuries old, some dating back 800 years or more. This contributes to the tea's unique flavor profile and high value among collectors and connoisseurs.

Lao Ban Zhang Pu Erh is known for its powerful and complex taste. It offers a blend of bitter and sweet notes, with a distinctive camphor aroma and a long-lasting aftertaste.

The production of this tea is limited, making it incredibly rare and expensive. Prices for authentic Lao Ban Zhang can reach thousands of dollars per kilogram, especially for well-aged vintages.

We find that the quality and reputation of Lao Ban Zhang make it a prized addition to any Pu Erh collection. Its rarity and cost also make it a popular target for counterfeiters, so buyers should exercise caution when purchasing.

2) Yiwu Gu Shu

Yiwu Gu Shu is a highly prized variety of pu-erh tea originating from the Yiwu region in Yunnan, China. The term "Gu Shu" translates to "ancient tree," referring to the tea's source - trees that are several hundred years old.

These venerable tea trees produce leaves with a distinct flavor profile. Yiwu Gu Shu is known for its smooth, sweet taste with subtle floral notes and a lingering aftertaste.

The rarity of Yiwu Gu Shu stems from the limited number of ancient trees and the meticulous harvesting process. Only the most tender buds and leaves are carefully picked by hand.

Yiwu Gu Shu can be found in both raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) varieties. The raw version is often aged for many years, developing complex flavors over time.

We appreciate Yiwu Gu Shu for its cultural significance and historical value. It represents a connection to traditional tea-making practices that have been preserved for generations.

3) Menghai Dayi

Menghai Dayi is a renowned producer of pu-erh tea, hailing from Yunnan province in China. Their teas are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Dayi's pu-erh offerings include both raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) varieties. They're known for their consistent quality and unique flavor profiles.

One of Dayi's most famous products is the 7542 recipe, a classic raw pu-erh blend. It's prized for its balanced taste and aging potential.

The company also produces the popular 7572 ripe pu-erh, known for its smooth, earthy notes. Both recipes have become benchmarks in the pu-erh industry.

Dayi's teas often feature carefully selected leaves from ancient tea trees in Yunnan. This contributes to their complex flavors and aromas.

We find that Menghai Dayi pu-erhs typically offer good value for their quality. They're an excellent choice for both newcomers and experienced tea drinkers.

Collecting Dayi teas can be an exciting pursuit. Many of their productions are dated, allowing enthusiasts to track changes over time.

4) Wuliang Shan Wild

Wuliang Shan Wild Pu Erh tea hails from the remote Wuliang Mountains in Yunnan Province, China. This rare variety grows naturally without human intervention, allowing the tea trees to develop unique characteristics.

The wild tea trees in this region can reach impressive heights, some growing up to 20 meters tall. Their deep root systems tap into mineral-rich soil, contributing to the tea's distinct flavor profile.

Wuliang Shan Wild Pu Erh offers a complex taste experience. We often detect notes of dried fruit, wood, and a subtle sweetness in its brew. The tea's aroma can be described as earthy with hints of forest floor.

Tea enthusiasts prize this variety for its purity and potential health benefits. The natural growing conditions are believed to enhance the tea's antioxidant content and therapeutic properties.

Harvesting Wuliang Shan Wild Pu Erh is a challenging task. Skilled tea pickers must navigate steep terrain and carefully select leaves from tall trees. This labor-intensive process contributes to the tea's rarity and value.

5) Jingmai Sheng

Jingmai Sheng is a prized variety of Pu Erh tea from the Jingmai Mountains in Yunnan Province, China. This region is known for its ancient tea forests, some with trees over 1,000 years old.

The tea leaves used to produce Jingmai Sheng are harvested from these old-growth trees, resulting in a unique flavor profile. We find that this tea often exhibits notes of flowers, fruits, and honey, with a pleasant sweetness and lingering aftertaste.

Jingmai Sheng is typically processed as a raw (sheng) Pu Erh, allowing it to age and develop complex flavors over time. Many tea enthusiasts collect and store this variety for years or even decades.

The high altitude and diverse ecosystem of the Jingmai area contribute to the tea's distinctive characteristics. The leaves are often hand-picked and carefully processed to preserve their quality.

When brewed, Jingmai Sheng produces a clear, golden-yellow liquor. Its taste can vary depending on age and storage conditions, but it generally offers a smooth, balanced experience with a subtle astringency.

6) Lincang Ancient Tree

Lincang Ancient Tree pu-erh tea comes from the Lincang region of Yunnan province, known for its centuries-old tea trees. These trees, some over 1,000 years old, produce leaves with unique characteristics.

The tea made from these ancient trees has a deep, complex flavor profile. We find notes of honey, wood, and fruit in each sip. The aroma is often described as earthy and sweet.

Lincang Ancient Tree pu-erh is highly prized by tea enthusiasts. Its rarity and the trees' long history contribute to its value. Many believe the deep root systems of these old trees result in leaves with more intense flavors.

This tea can be found in both raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) varieties. The raw version tends to have a brighter, more astringent taste when young. As it ages, it develops smoother, more nuanced flavors.

Brewing Lincang Ancient Tree pu-erh requires care. We recommend using water just below boiling and short steeping times to fully appreciate its complexity.

7) Bai Ying Shan

Bai Ying Shan is a rare and sought-after Pu Erh tea variety that hails from the Bai Ying mountain range in Yunnan province, China. We find this tea particularly intriguing due to its unique growing conditions and distinctive flavor profile.

The tea trees in Bai Ying Shan grow at high altitudes, ranging from 1800 to 2400 meters above sea level. This elevation contributes to the tea's complex character and smooth taste.

Bai Ying Shan Pu Erh is known for its bright golden liquor and delicate aroma. We appreciate its balanced flavor, which combines subtle floral notes with a gentle sweetness and a hint of earthiness.

Tea enthusiasts often praise Bai Ying Shan for its clean and refreshing taste. It lacks the strong fermented flavors found in some other Pu Erh varieties, making it an excellent choice for those new to this tea category.

We've noticed that Bai Ying Shan Pu Erh ages exceptionally well. Over time, it develops deeper, more nuanced flavors while retaining its characteristic smoothness.

8) Yongde Old Tree

Yongde Old Tree pu-erh tea comes from Yongde County in Yunnan Province, China. This rare variety is prized for its rich history and exceptional quality. The tea leaves are harvested from ancient tea trees, some of which are centuries old.

These venerable trees produce leaves with a unique flavor profile. We find Yongde Old Tree pu-erh to have a smooth, mellow taste with hints of sweetness and a pleasant woody aroma. The tea liquor often has a deep amber color.

The production process for Yongde Old Tree pu-erh follows traditional methods. After harvesting, the leaves undergo careful processing, including withering, rolling, and sun-drying. The tea is then aged, allowing its flavors to develop further.

Connoisseurs appreciate Yongde Old Tree pu-erh for its complexity and depth. We've noticed that this tea often exhibits a lingering aftertaste and a satisfying mouthfeel. Its rarity and quality make it a sought-after choice for pu-erh enthusiasts.

9) Nannuoshan Shou

Nannuoshan Shou is a prized variety of ripe Pu Erh tea from Yunnan province, China. It's named after Nannuo Mountain, where the tea leaves are grown and processed using traditional methods.

We find that Nannuoshan Shou has a distinct flavor profile, characterized by its smooth and mellow taste. The tea often exhibits notes of earth, wood, and dark fruits, with a pleasant sweetness that lingers on the palate.

The production of Nannuoshan Shou involves carefully selecting mature tea leaves from old-growth tea trees. These leaves undergo a controlled fermentation process, which gives the tea its deep, dark color and rich flavor.

Many tea enthusiasts appreciate Nannuoshan Shou for its potential health benefits. It's believed to aid digestion, boost immunity, and provide antioxidants. The tea is also known for its calming effects, making it a popular choice for relaxation.

When brewing Nannuoshan Shou, we recommend using water just below boiling point. This helps bring out the tea's complex flavors without introducing bitterness. Multiple infusions are possible, with each steeping revealing new nuances in the tea's taste.

10) Bulang Sweet

Bulang Sweet is a unique and sought-after variety of Pu Erh tea from the Bulang Mountains in Yunnan, China. This tea is known for its distinctive sweet flavor profile, setting it apart from other Pu Erh varieties.

The sweetness in Bulang Sweet comes from the natural sugars present in the tea leaves. These sugars develop during the growing process, influenced by the region's specific terroir and climate.

We find that Bulang Sweet often has notes of honey, caramel, and ripe fruits. Its smooth texture and lack of bitterness make it appealing to both seasoned Pu Erh enthusiasts and newcomers to this tea category.

Aging can further enhance the sweet characteristics of Bulang Sweet. Over time, the tea may develop deeper, more complex flavors while maintaining its signature sweetness.

When brewing Bulang Sweet, we recommend using water just below boiling point. This helps to extract the tea's delicate flavors without introducing any unwanted bitterness.