2014 Duoteli Liu Bao

Traditional Chinese fermented Liu Bao "Six Castles" black tea from Guangxi, China. The tea was made by Wuzhou tea factory back in 2014 under their Duoteli brand, that has been sold ever since the 1980's. The tea in hand is categorized as finest 1st grade tea (grades going from 1 to 4) and was produced as an entry to a regional tea competition. For the final stage of drying and as packaging, the tea was compressed into huge woven baskets weighing 40 kilograms when filled - this is the traditional style and often (not always though) goes in hand with the overall lighter fermentation that we really enjoy as with this tea. More and more Liu Baos are fermented heavily akin to modern ripe puerh as it is easier to produce and there's a market demand for that, however the more traditional way leaves more room for complexity of flavour. The tea has a pleasant spicy herbal flavour, is smooth, pine-like and thanks for the lighter fermentation you can feel the cooling effect that Liu Bao is famous for. Stored in Malaysia.

Brewing suggestions: 5 grams of tea per 200ml of 100C water, rinse, 1st steeping 1-2min, 2nd steeping 2-3min etc.