Lao Ban Zhang Pu-Erh

A sheng, or raw, Pu-Erh from Manwei Village in Menghai, part of the Xishuangbanna prefecture of Yunnan Province, the region where the first tea plants were found. Unlike shou Pu-Erh, which is aged by an accelerated process, sheng Pu-Erh ferments naturally over time, given the right conditions, so its character continues to develop year after year. This cake comes from Lao Ban Zhang, an area long prized among Pu-Erh drinkers for the depth and clarity of its teas. What sets it apart is its size: at 96 grams, it's a fraction of the standard 357-gram bing. That makes it a rare find and a way to get to know what sheng Pu-Erh has to offer without committing to a full cake.