2012 Yunnan Sourcing "Lao Cha Tou Brick" Ripe Pu-erh Tea Brick

Cha Tou is a kind of tea nugget that forms naturally from the pressures of compression and heat that occurs during the fermentation process. Typically during fermentation process to make ripe pu-erh there is a pile of tea about 1 meter high. It is kept wet to allow the fermentation process and the pile is turned every few days to allow for an even degree of fermentation, moving the tea from the bottom of the pile (where it is hotter and wetter) to the top of the pile where it is cooler and drier. The "cha tou" are the leaves that ball up and get stuck together. The best cha tou are ones that have not been over-fermented and are smaller in size.

Lao Cha Tou brick is composed entirely of Menghai area material.  Our 2012 production is a blend of 2 different "cha tou", one from 2006 and another from 2009.  The fermentation levels of the 2006 batch is slightly heavier (leaves are darker), whereas the fermentation level of the 2009 batch was lighter (some lighter brown color with hints of olive in the brewed leaves).  These two different cha tou together makes for a nice full mouth-feel.  Smooth but with a lingering mouth-feel and cha qi.

As with all Cha Tou, we recommend grandpa brewing style. For example: Use 10-12 grams for a 500ml flask. You can also simmer it in a saucepan. Gong fu style brewing is insufficient to bring out the bolder flavors. 

200 kilos in total were produced.

Net Weight: 250 grams per brick

Fermentation time: 2006 and 2009

Harvest Area: Menghai County of Xishuangbanna