D-CN-005

Lao Man E Pu-erh

老曼峨

Intense bitter raw sheng, from Yunnan, China.

Dark tea (post-fermented)

Lao Man E Pu-erh is strongest on bitterness, body and finish length. Typical tasting words: sugar cane, mineral, bark, cooling menthol, apricot. An ancient Bulang village famed for its centuries-old tea gardens yielding intensely bitter indigenous tea varieties. Revered by seasoned connoisseurs for its powerful, bitter opening that rapidly converts to an intense lingering sweetness (huigan).

Also known as Lao Man'e and Lao Man E Gushu.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness5astringency4umami2brightness2body5smoothness2aroma intensity4finish length5

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral2fruity2vegetal2marine0nutty1toasty0malty0honey4spicy2woody3earthy3smoky1creamy0citrus0stone fruit2tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Yunnan, China
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. assamica
Harvest: early spring
Elevation: high
Oxidation: 0 to 10%
Roast: unroasted
Leaf: compressed
Price band: premium
Availability: specialist
Ageing: made for ageing
Forgiving to brew: 1 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: plucking, then withering, then pan-firing, then sun-drying, then steaming, then compressing.

Caffeine

A cup of Lao Man E Pu-erh carries a typical estimate of 65 mg of caffeine, within a range of 45 to 85 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	2.5 g	90 to 95 °C	90 s, 2.5 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	6 g	92 to 96 °C	Rinse, then 5 s, 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 35 s

Up to 10 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
meditation
midday
study_focus

Pairs with nuts and fried_food. Milk: no. Iced: no. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: no.