What exactly is a vintage vertical set?
It’s a collection of the same style of tea — from the same region or even the same garden — made in different years, so you can taste how the tea’s character evolves with age under similar conditions.
Can I buy individual cakes from the verticals?
Yes. Each vintage is available separately, but the vertical pricing offers a better per-gram cost than buying them one by one, and includes a tasting guide.
How should I store these teas?
Keep them in a dark, scent-free place with moderate humidity (around 60–70% RH) and a stable temperature (20–25°C). Avoid sealing them completely if you want continued aging.
Why do the same-year teas taste different from region to region?
Each mountain has its own microclimate, soil, and tea tree varietal. Bulang typically shows bold bitterness and strong body, while Yiwu tends toward honeyed softness and fruitiness — these signatures remain, even as the tea ages.
Are these sheng or shou pu-erh?
All our verticals are sheng (raw) pu-erh, which undergoes a slow natural fermentation over years. Shou pu-erh is quickly ripened and doesn’t show the same subtle year-to-year transformation.
What is the best brewing method for a vertical tasting?
Gongfu style with a gaiwan or small Yixing pot works best — use 5g of tea per 100ml, water at 95–100°C, and steep in short pulses. This method amplifies the differences between vintages.
How long will these teas continue to age?
Well-stored sheng pu-erh can improve for 15–30 years or more. Even after that, the character continues to mellow, so you can keep and revisit these cakes for decades.