2018 Gongting Chenyun Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake – 357g Qiaomu Shou Puer 宫廷陈韵熟茶
2018 Gongting Chenyun Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake – 357g Qiaomu Shou Puer 宫廷陈韵熟茶
2018 Gongting Chenyun Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake – 357g 宫廷陈韵熟茶
A mature 2018 ripe Pu-erh / shou puer pressed as a traditional 357g seven-son tea cake. Made in a Qiaomu-style Yunnan Pu-erh format and finished through an extended fermentation process, this tea is designed around the mellow, rounded character that aged ripe Pu-erh drinkers look for: deep fermented-tea aroma, a thick liquor, smooth entry and a lingering sweet finish.
Tea type: Ripe Pu-erh / Shou Puer
Year: 2018
Format: Traditional compressed tea cake / 七子饼茶
Net weight: 357g
Style: Gongting Chenyun / 宫廷陈韵
Taste & aroma
The profile is warm, mellow and mature, with a clean aged-tea fragrance, rounded sweetness and a dense, silky liquor. Repeated infusions bring out deeper woody, date-like and lightly caramelised notes while the finish stays soft rather than sharp. The 2018 age gives the cup a settled character that works well for both daily drinking and slower gongfu sessions.
How to brew
Gongfu method: Break off 6–8g with a tea knife or pick. Use a 100–150ml gaiwan or small teapot with freshly boiled water around 95–100°C / 203–212°F. Rinse once briefly, then begin with a 10–15 second infusion. Increase later steeps gradually as the compressed leaf opens.
Everyday teapot: Use about 5g per 300ml of water. Steep for 3–4 minutes and re-steep as desired. For a deeper, thicker cup, extend the later infusions.
When to drink
Ripe Pu-erh is especially satisfying after breakfast, after lunch or in the evening when you want a dark, smooth tea without the briskness of young raw Pu-erh. Its mellow body also makes it an easy tea for long conversations, reading and relaxed tea-table sessions.
Food pairing
Pair with roasted nuts, dark chocolate, date pastries, mooncake, sesame sweets, dim sum, roast meats or richer savoury dishes. The tea's rounded fermented character works particularly well with foods that have toast, caramel or nutty notes.
Storage & aging
Keep the cake in a clean, dry, ventilated and odor-free place away from direct sunlight and excess humidity. Store it in breathable tea paper, a tea box, ceramic jar or well-managed Pu-erh storage container. Stable storage helps preserve the existing aged character while allowing the tea to continue developing gradually.
Tea-room styling & display
The traditional 357g round cake and classic Chinese wrapper give this tea a strong visual presence in a New Chinese, Zen, Japandi or collector-style tea room. Display one wrapped cake on a dark timber stand, ceramic plate or bamboo tray beside a gaiwan and tea knife; keep the remainder protected for drinking and storage.
Gift ideas
A 2018 dated Pu-erh cake makes a substantial gift for Chinese-tea drinkers, housewarmings, birthdays, Lunar New Year, host gifts and tea-room collectors. Pair it with a porcelain gaiwan, tea knife or tasting cups for a complete presentation.
FAQ
Is this raw or ripe Pu-erh?
This is ripe Pu-erh / shou puer.
What year is it?
2018.
How much does the cake weigh?
357g.
Do I need a tea knife?
Yes. This is a compressed full-size cake, so a tea knife or tea pick makes portioning easier.
What does Gongting mean?
Gongting is a traditional grading/style term associated with fine-leaf ripe Pu-erh material and a refined, smooth drinking profile.
How many times can it be steeped?
With gongfu brewing, a good 6–8g portion can be re-steeped repeatedly, with the liquor becoming softer and sweeter as the session continues.
Is it suitable for gifting or display?
Yes. The dated wrapper, traditional seven-son cake format and 357g size make it particularly suitable for tea-room display and gifting.
