Xiagun 8613 Tea Cake

• Yunnan Province, China

• Sheng 'raw' pu-erh

• Pressed in 2005

• Earthy but mellow style

• Slightly smokey liquor

A nice cake that is fine for drinking now or one that will only get better with age. Despite it youth, the flavor of this tea is both fruity and flowery – a characteristic trait of pu-erh cakes made in this factory. The Xianguan Tea Factory is highly regarded for their excellent tea cakes, and this recipe – the 8613 cake – does not disappoint.

The front and back surfaces have an ample amount of silvery young leaves pressed onto the surface of the cake, which adds sweetness to the smokey nature of the large leaf underneath. As this cake ages, the smokiness will diminish and the sweetness will increase. All in all this is a great cake for putting aside and drinking another day.

Infuse many times with very hot water.