2007 Vintage Gongting Shu Pu-erh Mandarin Orange Balls

This Gongting shu puerh tea, stuffed in a mandarin orange shell, has been aged for 18 years, and is primed for optimal taste. Gongting is the highest grade of shu puerh leaf quality. The dried orange rind is authentic Xinhui mandarin from Gongdong province. Most of similar stuffed orange puerh on the market are not from Xinhui prefecture, but from other provinces in China. Chinese tradition regards Xinhui mandarin rind as having great health benefits, especially for soothing the lungs and throat, and for reducing excessive body heat. This tea is very smooth, full bodied, with a mild citrus flavor, not over powering the tea flavor like some inferior versions on the market. If you desire a more citrus flavor, simply add more orange rind to your tea. 

Each weighs about 35-45g, good for many sessions, and each session can sustain up to 15 steepings. If desired, break off a few small pieces of the mandarin shell to steep along with the tea. 

Click here for steeping instructions.

Additional Info 

Tea Origin:                Menghai, Yunnan province, China

Mandarin:                 Xinhui, Guangdong province

Harvest Time:           2007

Bush Varietal:           Yunnan Da Ye (large leaf)

Tasting Profile

It has a pleasant and smooth earthy flavor, liquor is very smooth, full bodied, has notes of dark chocolate and caramel, and sweet aftertaste. No musty taste. You will notice that it becomes sweeter with each steeping.