Lao Ban Zhang Gushu

With this Lao Ban Zhang Gushu, we present an exceptional Pu-erh from one of Yunnan’s most famous tea regions. The tea was harvested in 2022, but only pressed into cakes in 2026. This resting period of several years before pressing makes this tea especially interesting. The tea had time to settle and harmonise before being pressed, which gives it more depth, smoothness and inner balance without losing its characteristic origin.

Lao Ban Zhang stands like hardly any other area for strength, presence and great character. This tea shows the typical density and intensity associated with Lao Ban Zhang, while also offering remarkable clarity. The infusion is full, powerful and persistent. At first, it reveals the pronounced bitterness typical of high-quality material from Lao Ban Zhang, yet this bitterness does not feel rough. Instead, it quickly transforms into an intense sweetness and a long-lasting finish. It is exactly this interplay of strength, depth and Hui Gan that makes great teas from Lao Ban Zhang so fascinating.

The Gushu material used for this cake comes from old tea trees and therefore brings substance, depth and ageing potential. Even now, the tea already feels remarkably rounded and well integrated, which is partly due to the time between harvest and pressing. At the same time, it has enough structure and energy to develop beautifully over many more years. Anyone who appreciates strong, characterful Pu-erh with great presence will find here a tea with clear origin and impressive personality.

As with our other high-quality Pu-erh teas, this tea was selected with great care and processed in the traditional way. The result is a Lao Ban Zhang that does not only impress by name, but also delivers in the cup exactly what one hopes for from this famous origin: strength, depth, length and character.

Who are Tea Masters Panda and Yang Ming?

Tea Masters Panda and Yang Ming, bonded by their profound expertise and passion for Pu-erh tea, infuse our selection with deep knowledge and tradition. Yang Ming, hailing from the renowned tea region of Yiwu, embodies his family’s long-standing heritage in Pu-erh tea craftsmanship. His tea fields are the very source of our popular Lucky Bee teas, celebrated for their exquisite quality.

Harvest date: Spring 2022
Pressed: 2026
Typ: Sheng
Aroma: Powerful, dense, bitter-sweet, deep, long-lasting
Terroir: Lao Ban Zhang, Yunnan province, China
Preparation: In this blog post you will find a description of how to brew Pu-erh tea in an optimal way.