2021 Bulang Mountain Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh – 500g Old Tea Heads 布朗老茶头
2021 Bulang Mountain Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh – 500g Old Tea Heads 布朗老茶头
2021 Bulang Mountain Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh – 500g 布朗老茶头
A 2021 Yunnan ripe Pu-erh / shou puer from Bulang Mountain, made in the traditional Lao Cha Tou style. These dense tea nuggets form naturally during the wet-pile fermentation of ripe Pu-erh, where pectin-rich leaves bind together into compact clusters that are especially resistant to repeated brewing.
Tea type: Ripe Pu-erh / Shou Puer
Year: 2021
Origin: Bulang Mountain, Yunnan
Tea material: Bulang big-tree material
Format: Lao Cha Tou / naturally formed ripe-Pu-erh nuggets
Net weight: 500g
Taste & aroma
The cup is thick, mellow and naturally sweet, with a clean mature aroma, date-like sweetness, warm woody depth and a smooth, almost syrupy texture. Lao Cha Tou opens slowly and rewards patience, often becoming sweeter and fuller across repeated infusions.
How to brew
Gongfu: Use 6–8g in a 120–150ml gaiwan or small teapot. Brew with 95–100°C / 203–212°F water. Rinse briefly, then start with a 15–20 second infusion. Increase later steeps gradually as the nuggets begin to loosen.
Boiling method: Lao Cha Tou is particularly well suited to simmering. Use 6–10g in around 500ml of water, bring gently to a boil and simmer for 2–3 minutes for a richer, thicker cup.
When to drink
This tea works beautifully after meals, during cooler evenings or for long weekend sessions where its exceptional brewing endurance can be enjoyed. It is also a practical tea for a thermos because the dense nuggets release flavour slowly.
Food pairing
Pair with dates, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, sesame pastries, mooncake, dim sum, roast meats or savoury mushroom dishes. Sweet, toasted and umami-rich foods complement the tea’s deep, smooth body.
Storage & aging
Keep the tea in a clean, dry, ventilated and odor-free environment away from direct sunlight and excess humidity. A tea tin, ceramic jar or dedicated Pu-erh storage box works well for preserving its clean mature aroma.
Tea-room styling & gifting
The cream-and-red box, traditional calligraphy and dark nugget-shaped tea give this product a strong New Chinese, Zen and collector-style tea-room presence. Display a small serving of the nuggets in a white porcelain or celadon dish beside the box. The 500g presentation also makes it a substantial gift for ripe-Pu-erh drinkers.
FAQ
What is Lao Cha Tou?
Lao Cha Tou means “old tea heads”: dense tea nuggets that form naturally when pectin-rich leaves bind together during the wet-pile fermentation of ripe Pu-erh.
Is this raw or ripe Pu-erh?
This is ripe Pu-erh / shou puer.
What year is it?
2021.
How much tea is included?
500g.
Why is Lao Cha Tou so durable when brewing?
The dense natural clusters open gradually, allowing them to release flavour over many infusions.
Can I boil it?
Yes. Lao Cha Tou is especially suitable for gentle simmering as well as gongfu brewing.
