Hidden Stream Sheng 2024

Hidden Stream – Spring 2024

A delicately floral, honey-sweet and coolly clean high-altitude sheng puer from the northern reaches of the Jingmai region. The aroma is of spring pollen and honeydew, the mouthfeel is lively, “biting” freshness, berry nuances and a hint of tobacco; the finish is long and smooth.

Origin & processing

• Origin: Yunnan, Jingmai Mountain area, northern highlands (1900–2100 m)
• Environment: cool, high mountain climate; low pest pressure – therefore minimal intervention, easy-to-manage plantations without pesticides
• Tree stock: the most beautiful trees in the gardens, not pruned back (left to grow tall) for better leaf quality, with a lower yield
• Harvest: early spring, hand-picked
• Processing: sheng (raw) pu'er – withering, wok frying (sha qing), hand rolling, slow drying, then pressing

Note: High altitude and cooler weather result in slower growth and a cleaner aroma profile; less “famous” vineyards often offer surprisingly good value. In selecting the raw material, avoiding pruning and over-fertilizing were key factors in improving leaf quality.

Flavor profile

• Scent: spring pollen, honeydew, light green spice
• Sip: fresh, lively "bite", honeyed sweetness, delicate berry (forest fruit) line
• Aftertaste: clean, lingering sweetness, a hint of tobacco/tea tree bark
• Texture: silky, focused
• Energy: alert, organized, “spring” lightness

Why do we love it?

• A daily companion , yet with character : fresh, biting, floral, but not intrusive bitterness.
• Pure raw materials from a cool, high mountain climate, with minimal intervention.
• Good value from a little-known vineyard – surprisingly complex tea.

Preparation instructions

Asian (gongfu) method

• Tea/water: 5 g / 100 ml
• Water: 95–98 °C
• Infusions: rapid flush (optional), then 10–12 s → 12–15 s → 18–22 s, later gradually lengthened (10+ infusions)
• Tip: if you want more florality, start at 92–94 °C; if you want more “bite”, you can go up to 98 °C.

Western method

• Tea/water: 2.5–3 g / 250 ml
• Water: 92–96 °C
• Time: 2–3 minutes; 1–2 shorter pours are possible afterwards

Cold brew (ice steeping)

• Tea/water: 8–10 g / 1 liter
• Time: 6–10 hours in the refrigerator
• Result: a crystal clear, honey-sweet, slightly berry cup, without bitterness.

Pairing & occasion

• Occasion: casual "daily tea", but also beautifully layered with more careful gongfu.
• Pairing: natural seeds, slightly salty crackers, fresh goat cheese – all highlight the honey-floral line.