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Find your tea
Find Your Chen Sheng Hao
Five raw pu-erh teas, one path: from sweet, fragrant Na Ka to Lao Ban Zhang, the King of Raw Pu-erh. Find the step that suits your taste and budget today, and know when you're ready for the next one.
How to read the ladder
What changes as you climb
Each step up brings a fuller, more concentrated tea and a bigger commitment. Every tea has its own character, but in general this is what changes.
Concentration
How strongly the tea registers on the palate. It moves from Na Ka, known for its sweetness, through mellow and thick at Yin Ban Zhang, toward strong at Emperor and strong and thick at Lao Ban Zhang.
Thick
Rich in substance, with a viscous feel in the mouth. The higher steps are described as thick; the gentler ones as smooth and balanced.
Aroma
A fruity, peach-like aroma at Na Ka; floral-honey and floral aromas on the middle steps; at Lao Ban Zhang a woody aroma that opens into floral-honey and orchid.
Huigan
Returning sweetness at the back of the tongue and in the throat. Steps 02 to 05 all list it; at Na Ka the sweetness comes through in the later steeps. Any early bitterness should turn into huigan.
Endurance
Higher steps keep their flavour through more infusions. Emperor is known for still tasting good at 15.
Price
From ≈ ¥1.73/g for a Na Ka cake to ≈ ¥17.64/g for a flagship Lao Ban Zhang cake. Stronger, thicker teas also have more to give with years of storage.
How much? The degree scale
Each step's tasting profile uses the standard's degree words. We give a degree only where our product information or our own tasting supports one.
- 0 none
- 1 a hint
- 2 slight
- 3 present
- 4 plenty
- 5 pronounced
Tasting terms follow the Pu'er Tea Association standard T/PCX 008—2026 — see our tasting vocabulary guide. Shengjin, hou yun and cha qi are common words that aren't part of the standard, so we describe them but don't rate them.
Young raw pu-erh, honestly
A freshly pressed raw (sheng) cake tastes bright and fresh, and is rarely completely free of bitterness. A brief bitterness on entry that turns quickly into huigan is normal: the standard describes it with degree words such as (a hint of bitterness). Bitterness that stays in the aftertaste and astringency count against a tea, so they are not something to climb toward. With years of storage, raw pu-erh becomes smoother, mellower and thicker, with woody and fruity notes.
If your first cup tastes sharp, change the brew before you judge the tea: use 5g instead of 7g and keep the first steeps to about 5 seconds. If you'd rather skip bitterness altogether, take the ripe pu-erh side trail.
Not sure where to start?
Taste the ladder in one box
The Yi Pin Chen Sheng sample box holds seven 28g mini cakes from the 2022 vintage, so you can brew several Chen Sheng Hao teas side by side, including the first four steps of this ladder. Each mini cake breaks into four 7g pieces, one per session: about a month of tea if you drink daily.
- Na KaPeach-like aroma, strong sweetness in later steepsStep 01
- Chen Sheng #1Balanced; friendly to new drinkersStep 02
- Yin Ban ZhangBan Zhang tea-area blend; quick sweet aftertasteStep 03
- EmperorStrong; high aroma, sweet aftertasteStep 04
- Ban Po ZhaiNannuo; orchid and woody aromaExtra
- Chen Xiang Sheng HuaSweet, with a floral and bean aromaExtra
- Zhen Ming Qing BingGentle and sweetExtra
The ladder
Five steps to Lao Ban Zhang
Tasting profiles use the standard's terms and degree words, taken from our product information and tasting. Prices are for the size shown on each card.
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Step 01 · Sweet and fragrant
Na Ka 那卡
Single-origin tea from a Lahu village 1,600m up in Xishuangbanna, sometimes called "Little Ban Zhang". Known as the sweetness representative of pu-erh, with a peach-like aroma.
Tasting profile T/PCX 008—2026 terms
- LiquorPale yellow
- AromaFruity, peach-like · strong in the empty cup in early brews
- SweetStrong sweetness in the later steeps
Bitterness no degree given in our description, which warns that over-steeping can turn Na Ka bitter: keep steeps short.
- Who it's for
- Newcomers who want a sweet, fragrant first cake, and anyone who prefers aroma and sweetness to strength.
- Brewing tip
- 5g in a 120ml gaiwan at 95–100°C (203–212°F). Keep the steeps short, about 5 seconds for the first six: over-steeping can turn Na Ka bitter.
Step up when…You want a fuller, balanced cup with a long-lasting floral-honey aroma that is more forgiving of steep times. That's Chen Sheng #1.
Taster
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Step 02 · The award-winning all-rounder
Chen Sheng #1 陈升一号
Founder Chen Shenghe's blend of early-spring, large-leaf Menghai tea. Full and balanced, with a long-lasting floral-honey aroma and lower bitterness and astringency than many young teas.
Tasting profile T/PCX 008—2026 terms
- LiquorBright green-yellow
- AromaFloral-honey · high · long
- ThickSlightly viscous
- Smooth
- HuiganLong-lasting
Bitterness slight on entry and quickly gone into huigan; lower bitterness and astringency than many young teas.
Beyond the standard shengjin (salivation) in the aftertaste; full of cha qi.
- Who it's for
- New and returning drinkers who want one reliable cake for every day that will also age well. Named one of the Top 10 Famous Teas of Yunnan Province.
- Brewing tip
- 5–7g per 120ml at 95–100°C. Keep the first six infusions to about 5 seconds. The aftertaste is sweet and brings shengjin (salivation).
Step up when…You want a fuller, mellow and thick cup with quick huigan and the character of the Ban Zhang tea area. That's Yin Ban Zhang.
Chen Sheng #1
¥582 ≈ ¥2.91/g
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Step 03 · Ban Zhang tea area, everyday price
Yin Ban Zhang 银班章
A blend of high-mountain big-tree tea from the Ban Zhang tea area, from old-arbor (gushu) trees aged 100–300 years. Mellow and thick, with a pure, long-lasting aroma, low bitterness and astringency, and quick huigan.
Tasting profile T/PCX 008—2026 terms
- ConcentrationMellow and thick
- LiquorClear
- AromaPure · long
- HuiganQuick
Bitterness low bitterness and astringency, turning quickly into huigan.
Beyond the standard strong cha qi; the aftertaste lingers past ten infusions.
- Who it's for
- Drinkers who want a fuller cup and the character of the Ban Zhang tea area without the Lao Ban Zhang price.
- Brewing tip
- 5g in a 120ml gaiwan at 95–100°C. It holds up past ten infusions. After the sixth, add 5–10 seconds to each steep.
Step up when…You want a stronger cup with a high floral aroma, and you're comfortable with more bitterness on entry. Then you're ready for Emperor.
Yin Ban Zhang
¥575 ≈ ¥2.88/g
Aged option
Yin Ban Zhang
¥1,300 ≈ ¥3.64/g
Stored at Chen Sheng Hao's storage centre; bitterness softens with age.
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Step 04 · As strong as its name
Emperor 霸王青饼 · Ba Wang Qing Bing
A strong, thick-based raw pu-erh made every year since 2009, with a high, long-lasting floral aroma. Expect pronounced bitterness on entry that turns into a sweet aftertaste.
Tasting profile T/PCX 008—2026 terms
- ConcentrationStrong
- LiquorClear · bright
- AromaFloral · high · long
- ThickThick-based
- HuiganSweet aftertaste
Bitterness pronounced on entry, turning into a sweet aftertaste. Short steeps keep it in check.
Beyond the standard pronounced shengjin, a long hou yun and strong cha qi; still good at 15 infusions.
- Who it's for
- Experienced drinkers who like a strong taste, and collectors. It's a tea worth owning and coming back to after years of storage.
- Brewing tip
- 7g to 150ml. Keep the early steeps short (around 5 seconds). It can last 15 infusions and still taste good.
Step up when…You like the strength but want a thicker, strong and thick cup, a woody aroma that opens into floral-honey and orchid, and a longer finish. That's Lao Ban Zhang. Start with a taster or Ying Xiang (see Inside Lao Ban Zhang).
Emperor · Ba Wang
¥582 ≈ ¥2.91/g
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Step 05 · The King of Raw Pu-erh
Lao Ban Zhang 老班章
Single-origin tea from Lao Ban Zhang village on Bulang Mountain. Strong, mellow and thick on the palate, with a woody aroma that opens into floral-honey and orchid, and pronounced huigan that arrives fast.
Tasting profile T/PCX 008—2026 terms
- ConcentrationStrong and thick
- LiquorBright, clear yellow
- AromaWoody opening into floral-honey and orchid · long
- Thick
- HuiganArrives fast
Bitterness strong on entry, quickly answered by huigan; a slight astringency comes with the strong taste.
Beyond the standard a long-lasting hou yun (throat feel).
- Who it's for
- Seasoned drinkers, collectors and special-occasion gifts. Choose the tier carefully: each one uses a different grade of raw material.
- Brewing tip
- 5–7g per 120ml at 95–100°C, or one 7g mini cake from the Convenient Pack. Use very short steeps at first; it rewards patience over many infusions.
From here…This is the top of the ladder. From here it's about tiers, vintages and older cakes. Compare them in Inside Lao Ban Zhang.
Lao Ban Zhang tiers at a glance
- Ying Xiang · LBZ-led blend¥924 357g
- Gan En · 100% LBZ¥2,517 357g
- Convenient Pack · 16 × 7g¥2,018 112g
- Flagship¥6,299 357g
- Lin Tian Xia · limited¥25,988 1000g
Inside the King
Inside Lao Ban Zhang: which tier is which
Chen Sheng Hao grades each batch of Lao Ban Zhang leaf by tree type, age, plot and harvest timing. That's why several Lao Ban Zhang teas sell at very different prices. A lower tier is a different grade of material, not a smaller version of the flagship, so compare like with like.
| Tier | What's in it | Size · price | ≈ per gram | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ying Xiang 映象2025 · LBZ-led blend | Lao Ban Zhang big-tree tea as the main material, blended with tea from several famous Bulang Mountain villages: a gentler, more approachable introduction to Lao Ban Zhang. Floral-honey and orchid aroma; full-bodied and smooth. Proportion not published. |
≈ ¥2.59/g |
Getting to know Lao Ban Zhang; daily drinking and guests. |
|
| Gan En 感恩2025 · 100% Lao Ban Zhang | Made only from Lao Ban Zhang: sun-dried large-leaf, big-tree leaf from Lao Ban Zhang village. Strong and thick, with a strong, high floral-honey aroma and quick, long-lasting huigan. |
≈ ¥7.05/g |
Single-origin Lao Ban Zhang at a gentler price; drinking and aging. |
|
| Convenient Pack2026 · 16 × 7g mini cakes | Core area, 100–300-year-old trees, early-spring "top selection", in a gift box. |
≈ ¥18.02/g |
Gifting and travel. No prying or weighing: one mini cake is one session. |
|
| Lao Ban Zhang2026 spring · Flagship | Single-origin, unblended, first-flush spring harvest from trees over 300 years old, from Chen Sheng Hao's own base in the village. Strong, mellow and thick, woody to floral-honey and orchid aroma. |
≈ ¥17.64/g |
The benchmark. For collectors and long aging; try the 30g taster first. |
|
| Lin Tian Xia2025 · Limited edition | Core area, ancient-tree, early-spring "top selection". A limited edition of 3,650, each individually numbered, in a solid-wood gift box with a certificate. |
≈ ¥25.99/g |
Numbered-edition collectors, top-tier gifts, vertical tasting archives. |
Compare like with like
Ying Xiang and Gan En are good teas in their own right, but they aren't the flagship. If you've tasted flagship Lao Ban Zhang, expect a different expression from the lower tiers: Ying Xiang is full-bodied and smooth rather than strong and thick. If you haven't, the 30g taster (¥630) shows you the benchmark before you commit to a cake.
Why the flagship costs more
Lao Ban Zhang is a single village with limited production. The flagship uses only first-flush leaf from trees over 300 years old, and Chen Sheng Hao works with the village under a 30-year agreement.
Side trails
Prefer a different path?
The ladder climbs in concentration and thickness. If your palate pulls another way, you can branch off onto one of these trails from any step.
冰岛For sweetness
Bing Dao
From the Lincang region, sometimes called the "Queen of Tea". It has a floral and fruity aroma and the rock-sugar sweetness the area is known for. The taste is smooth, full-bodied and sweet, with a refreshing finish. A premium side trail; start with the taster.
- 2025 Bing Dao Raw 357g · ¥5,779
- 2024 Bing Dao Raw taster 30g · ¥582
Smooth, mellow and sweet
Ripe pu-erh
Ripe (shou) pu-erh is pile-fermented before pressing. Expect a deep red liquor, a sticky-rice or aged aroma, and a smooth, mellow, sweet taste. It's ready to drink as soon as you open it. Use a little more leaf than for raw: 7–10g per session.
- 2026 Na Ka Ripe taster 30g · ¥69
- 2026 Zodiac Horse Ripe 357g · ¥397
- 2025 Lao Ban Zhang Ripe (premium) 600g · ¥4,569
Quick finder
Find your step in three questions
Answer three quick questions and we'll suggest where to start, plus when to move up.
FAQ
Questions before you choose
Is young raw pu-erh bitter?
Often a little. Young raw (sheng) pu-erh is rarely completely free of bitterness. In the Pu'er Tea Association standard, bitterness means bitterness that stays in the aftertaste, and it counts against a tea. A brief bitterness that quickly turns sweet is a different thing, described with a degree word such as (a hint of bitterness). In a good tea it turns into huigan (returning sweetness), often with shengjin (salivation).
Short steeps (about 5 seconds for the first six) and slightly less leaf keep it in check. If you'd rather avoid bitterness altogether, try a ripe pu-erh.
Should I drink it now or age it?
Either. Chen Sheng #1 and Yin Ban Zhang are enjoyable young. Emperor and Lao Ban Zhang have the most to gain from storage. Over the years raw pu-erh becomes smoother, mellower and thicker, with woody and fruity notes and, in time, an aged aroma. Ripe pu-erh is ready to drink now.
Want to taste aged tea today? Try an older vintage such as the 2015 Yin Ban Zhang.
Why does Lao Ban Zhang cost so much?
Lao Ban Zhang is a single village on Bulang Mountain with limited production, and demand for it is high. Chen Sheng Hao's flagship cake uses only single-origin, first-flush leaf from trees over 300 years old.
What's the difference between the Lao Ban Zhang tiers?
The raw material. Ying Xiang uses Lao Ban Zhang big-tree tea as its main material, blended with tea from other famous Bulang Mountain villages. Gan En is made only from Lao Ban Zhang village big-tree leaf. The flagship uses trees over 300 years old, and Lin Tian Xia is a numbered limited edition. See the tier comparison.
Is there a sampler?
Yes. The Yi Pin Chen Sheng box (7 mini cakes, 196g, ¥513) includes cakes from steps 01 to 04 plus three other teas, so you can compare them side by side. Many teas also come as 30g tasters, for example Na Ka (¥76), Chen Sheng #1 (¥103), flagship Lao Ban Zhang (¥630) and Na Ka ripe (¥69). See what's in the box.
Taste of Ancient Trees
Start with a taste
Not sure yet? A sampler or a 30g taster is the easiest first step on the ladder.