Our sixth iteration of this series! Sweet Treat Envoy is a vibrant fiesta of the joys of Gao Shan village in Yiwu. Sweet and heady, funky and nutty and all with that high mountain freshness!
We have been sourcing tea from the famous Gao Shan village in Yiwu for a number of years. The producers are a family with an ancient tea forest of 200 year-old (estimated) trees. Check out our video finding these producers.
Gao Shan village has become one of the most sought-after origins for raw PuErh in the whole of Yiwu, and the prices rise steadily each year.
But we keep on coming back because there is something very unique about the tea which these farmers make for us - on the one hand sweet and luxurious, on the other funky and deep and on the third hand (?) fresh, light and quaffable.
The aromatics of this tea are fruity and syrupy - like cooked apples drizzled with buttery caramel and blended with the heady sweetness of lilies.
Give the tea a rinse, and a lovely hazelnut praline note emerges as the forest starts to add depth to the experience.
There is also the twang of blackcurrant leaf kombucha and apples, which rise from the starch comforts of glutinous rice and pandan.
This 2025 harvest from Gao Shan also has a deep, sensual and slightly animalic vibe - sweet musks, summer skin and slept in bed sheets.
But when the liquor is tasted, everything lifts into the high mountains.
Fresh streams and misty air lay down a layer of minerals which sublimate into papaya, syrup, pecan butter and a fresh floral soapiness.
It's that interchange of heavy caramel and musky sweetness to bright floral refreshment which makes this tea so damn drinkable!
Only 280 cakes were produced so act quickly if you want the pinnacle of Yiwu.
Off The Apps is our crazy affordable Huangpian version of this same batch of tea for those wanting to taste this village at a lower price tag, or fancy having both versions in their collection.
