This tea is from the most respected Menghai Tea Factory in Menghai county, Xishuangbanna prefecture, that was established in 1940. It was a state-run company until 2004 when it was purchased by a private company and transformed into a modern pu-erh tea power house. Jia Ji means first grade in Chinese. As a tradition, Tuo Cha usually states its tea leaf grade on the label. 

This tea was carefully stored in Kunming for more than 23 years. Kunming is the preferred storage place for Pu-erh tea connoisseurs, referring to as Kunming dry storage. An exceptional Pu-erh connoisseur can discern dry storage from wet storage by the tea's taste attributes. Real deal Da Yi vintage teas from Kunming dry storage are rare as most vintage teas are wet storage from Guang Dong province, not to mention all of the fabricated or purely fake ones. This is a true real-deal vintage tea that Victoria had been searching for, and was able to finally secure during her extended 2023 stay in Kunming. 

The first thing you notice with this tea is its clean floral taste and a full-bodied silkiness in the liquor. Notes of Jing sheng, dates and fruit denote the aged property of this tea. It possesses a very satisfying aged tea drinking experience, and has great potential for aging well for many more years to come. Limited supply. 

To break off leaves from the Tuo, starting from the outside edge, use a tea knife or tea pick, penetrate downward and gradually pry off the leaves from the Tuo. 

Tea Name:  勐海茶厂甲级沱茶 100g

Additional Info

Producer:                Manghai Tea Factory / Da Yi brand

Vintage:                  2001

Bush Varietal:         Menghai Large Leaf varietal

Storage:                  Kunming dry storage

Tasting Notes

Very clean and clear, full-bodied, no musty taste, mellow, very smooth, silky and sweet. Notes of Jingsheng, dates and fruits.  

Steeping Guide

212^oF, 7g for 8oz of spring/filtered water, 10-20 seconds, up to 15 steeps, adjust to taste. We advise against the use of tap water as well as purified water. 

We recommend to use the Gongfu brewing method in order to get the most out of this tea. Please click here for Gongfu brewing instructions.