2017 Menghai Gong Ting "Palace" Loose Leaf Shou Pu'er

Gong Ting (宫廷), or "Palace Grade," Ripe Pu-erh is one of the highest quality classifications of Ripe Pu-erh tea. Ripe Pu-erh tea is graded from highest to lowest into six categories: Teji (Special Grade), First Grade, Third Grade, Fifth Grade, Seventh Grade, and Ninth Grade, with Gong Ting equivalent to the top tier. This grade is distinguished by its youngest and most tender buds, covered in fine golden hairs and exhibiting a lustrous, reddish-brown hue.

During the production of Ripe Pu-erh, Gong Ting Pu-erh is made by carefully sorting the finest, tender buds from large batches of tea that have already undergone the full Wo Dui (wet piling) fermentation process. It’s important to note that Gong Ting grade tea does not undergo the Wo Dui process independently, as the delicate buds lack the necessary fiber strength and are prone to overheating or damage if treated separately.

Our 2017 Menghai Gong Ting Ripe Pu-erh is crafted from a blend of Mao Cha (semi-processed tea) from the high-elevation tea gardens of Menghai County, specifically from the ecologically rich areas of Gelanghe and Bada Mountain. It was fermented in Menghai in 2017 and carefully refined to highlight the best palace-grade buds.

Gong Ting Pu-erh is celebrated for its subtle aroma and silky-smooth texture, reminiscent of creamy rice soup. The flavor is light yet full-bodied, with a clean and elegant finish. The tender buds release flavors and nutrients quickly, making the tea rich and satisfying from the first steep.