The indescribable delights of freshly-made ancient tree PuErh. Rich and caramelised with a salted creamy base and a fruit punch freshness.
Drink PuErh like the farmers in Yunnan!
Every year we source a batch of ancient tree Sheng (usually destined for pressing into cakes), which we want to showcase for drinking right this minute. Sure, you can age these teas beautifully, but capturing the bold and playful aromatics of a freshly made Sheng is a joy usually reserved only for the producers in the mountains.
Finding a candidate for Young Gushu is no easy feat because the majority of loose, freshly-made PuErhs (known as Maocha) are too astringent or punchy to be consumed immediately - they need time to calm and round out the flavours and textures.
So, we are always on the lookout for that special gem which is saturated with incredible aromatics, has the vivacity of springtime but is also nuanced and rounded despite its youth.
Young Gushu 2025 ticks all those boxes but also brings a fascinating depth and salinity that make it lip-smackingly moreish.
Our selection for the year comes from an obscure village called Zhangwai in Mengku near Lincang. It is made from estimated 150-200 year old trees growing at nearly 1500m altitude.
Young Gushu 2025 is overflowing with tasting notes which is unusual for such a fresh tea.
The initial aromatics are warm, sweet and spicy. Black peppercorns, liquorice toffee, coconut, carob and hazelnut cookies start the show.
Sniff deeper and there are reminiscent notes of jumping into a hot car or sniffing your new trainers (sneakers). The non-food notes continue with sea rocks and summer forests.
But bouncing above these deep and squidgy foundations are fruits and flowers. A twang of cannabis, the perpperiness of chrysanthemum and a punnet of fresh apricots.
In the mouth the liquor starts thick and soft before running away in a refreshing flow, absorbed by the whole mouth. It is plumpening and hydrating.
The taste brings a salty custard creaminess and more juicy fruits like nashi pear. This salty, creamy and fruity combination is the focus through all the infusions and makes the tea addictively quaffable.
The finish is bright and mineral with salivating, stonefruit juiciness.
And let's not omit the joys of the empty cup - warm with butterscotch and vanilla with a dollop of strawberry jam.
Young Gushu 2025 is playful and fresh, highlighting its youthful character but sweet, deep, spicy and creamy to give you the fullest Sheng experience.
Joy in a cup and a champion Gushu for this exclusive series.
