2020 Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea 357g
Tea lovers usually refer to Lao Ban Zhang (老班章) as the King of raw Pu'er tea. Its flavor is strong and thick, with a bitterness that turns into a sweet aftertaste. Tea lovers often describe the taste of Lao Ban Zhang as dominant.
Lao Ban Zhang is named after the village that produces the leaves of this tea. Lao Ban Zhang Village is located in Bulang Mountain (布朗山), Xishuang Banna (西双版纳), Yunnan, China. The earliest record of the village’s tea production can be traced back to 1476.
The village is situated in the 1700m - 1900m high mountain area. The average yearly temperature is 18.7 degrees Celsius. For almost half of the entire year, the mountainous area of Lao Ban Zhang village is covered with fog.
The tea trees grow in the jungle, they co-exist with other wild plants in the jungle, and therefore they are not polluted by any pesticide or chemical fertilizer. The farmers manage and take care of these trees in their traditional ways. Up until today, they still pick tea leaves following the traditional method passed down from their ancestors.
In 2008, Mr. Chen Shenghe identified the value of tea in Lao Ban Zhang village. He signed contracts with the villagers, from then onwards Chensheng Tea Co., Ltd became the major buyer of Lao Ban Zhang tea raw material. Since then, most of Lao Ban Zhang Pu'er tea, whether compressed into cake size or brick, was manufactured and branded by Chensheng Tea Co., Ltd.
Gongfu style (recommended)
About 5–7 g of leaf in a 100–120 ml gaiwan or small teapot, with water just off the boil (100 °C / 212 °F). Rinse once for 5–10 seconds and pour it away. Start with infusions of about 5–10 seconds and add a few seconds each round. Good leaf gives 8–15 infusions.
Mug or teapot
About 3–4 g per 250 ml, with water just off the boil. Rinse once, then steep 1–2 minutes for the first cup and a little longer for each cup after. The leaves give 3–4 cups.
Too bitter? Shorten the steep or use a little less leaf. Keep the water just off the boil.
Storage
Keep cakes in their paper wrappers, in a cardboard box, bamboo or unglazed clay, off the floor. Aim for 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) and 60–70% relative humidity, out of direct light, away from strong smells and with some airflow. For long-term aging, don't use the fridge, silica gel or airtight bags; a sealed tin is fine for the portion you are drinking now. Fuzzy or colored spots or a musty smell mean mold: don't drink it.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
Tea lovers usually refer to Lao Ban Zhang (老班章) as the King of raw Pu'er tea. Its flavor is strong and thick, with a bitterness that turns into a sweet aftertaste. Tea lovers often describe the taste of Lao Ban Zhang as dominant.
Lao Ban Zhang is named after the village that produces the leaves of this tea. Lao Ban Zhang Village is located in Bulang Mountain (布朗山), Xishuang Banna (西双版纳), Yunnan, China. The earliest record of the village’s tea production can be traced back to 1476.
The village is situated in the 1700m - 1900m high mountain area. The average yearly temperature is 18.7 degrees Celsius. For almost half of the entire year, the mountainous area of Lao Ban Zhang village is covered with fog.
The tea trees grow in the jungle, they co-exist with other wild plants in the jungle, and therefore they are not polluted by any pesticide or chemical fertilizer. The farmers manage and take care of these trees in their traditional ways. Up until today, they still pick tea leaves following the traditional method passed down from their ancestors.
In 2008, Mr. Chen Shenghe identified the value of tea in Lao Ban Zhang village. He signed contracts with the villagers, from then onwards Chensheng Tea Co., Ltd became the major buyer of Lao Ban Zhang tea raw material. Since then, most of Lao Ban Zhang Pu'er tea, whether compressed into cake size or brick, was manufactured and branded by Chensheng Tea Co., Ltd.
Gongfu style (recommended)
About 5–7 g of leaf in a 100–120 ml gaiwan or small teapot, with water just off the boil (100 °C / 212 °F). Rinse once for 5–10 seconds and pour it away. Start with infusions of about 5–10 seconds and add a few seconds each round. Good leaf gives 8–15 infusions.
Mug or teapot
About 3–4 g per 250 ml, with water just off the boil. Rinse once, then steep 1–2 minutes for the first cup and a little longer for each cup after. The leaves give 3–4 cups.
Too bitter? Shorten the steep or use a little less leaf. Keep the water just off the boil.
Storage
Keep cakes in their paper wrappers, in a cardboard box, bamboo or unglazed clay, off the floor. Aim for 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) and 60–70% relative humidity, out of direct light, away from strong smells and with some airflow. For long-term aging, don't use the fridge, silica gel or airtight bags; a sealed tin is fine for the portion you are drinking now. Fuzzy or colored spots or a musty smell mean mold: don't drink it.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
Creator reviews
Reviewed by tea creators
Watch and read what tea reviewers thought of this tea.
2022 Chensheng Hao Lao Banzhang [Episode 482]
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)LAO Banzhang vs. Banzhang Yinxiang Chensheng Hao Showdown [Inbetweenisode 387]
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Tried this tea? Join our Tea Creator Program. Get free samples and see your review featured here.
Become a Tea CreatorReviews
What tea drinkers say
Reviews scored with the Pu'er Tea Association's 2026 tasting method: five factors, a weighted score out of 100 and a shared vocabulary. How it works
No tasting reviews for this pu-erh yet.
Brew it, then score it the way professional tasters do: five factors, a weighted score out of 100 and the standard's tasting words. It takes about three minutes.
Get $10 off your next order for your first tasting review.
2020 Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu-erh Tea 357g