Bánh trà Pu'er Sheng Kokang Gold Leaf niên vụ 2021

The gold prize from that Menghai tasting contest is well deserved—this 2021 vintage has a depth that’s hard to find outside Yunnan. The leaf itself is gorgeous, and even after a few steepings, the sweetness lingers nicely.

This cake has a lovely, clean character that shows why it took that gold prize in Menghai. I pressed the leaves and the golden tips really shine through, giving a smooth, calm drink with a gentle sweetness. Even the first steep felt balanced, and it’s aging beautifully in my cabinet.

The gold medal from that 2021 Menghai contest is no fluke — this cake’s character really does stand out among sheng pu’er produced outside the usual big factories. I’ve been brewing it Gongfu style and the leaves hold up beautifully for over ten steepings, each one unfolding a bit more sweetness. Ge