{"product_id":"pu-erh-tea-premium-cake-ripened-lao-man-e-2021","title":"Pu-erh tea premium cake - ripened Lao Man E 2021","description":"\u003c!--\n  Valley Green Tea - Product BODY: Lao Man E Ancient-Tree Ripened Pu-erh Cake (Shou) 2021 - Bulang, Menghai\n  URL: (new listing - Lao Man E gushu ripe)\n  SEO Title: Buy Lao Man E Ancient-Tree Ripened Pu-erh Cake (Shou) - 2021\n  Meta: Lao Man E ancient-tree ripe (Shou) pu-erh cake, 2021 spring - 100-year-old trees, small-basket fermentation, rich, deep and mellow. Our finest Shou. 357g.\n  COMPLIANCE: no health claims. Positioning = top-tier ancient-tree (gushu) pure material, small-basket fermented.\n  Region = Lao Man E \/ Bulang, Menghai (Menghai highlighted, Lao Man E badged). CJK = HTML entities.\n--\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eLao Man E Ancient-Tree Ripened Pu-erh Cake (Shou 熟) — Bulang 2021\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOther names: Lao Man E, 老曼峨, Bulang, Ancient Tree (古树), Gushu, Menghai Pu-erh, Shou Pu-erh, 熟普\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the top of our ripe pu-erh range: a pure \u003cstrong\u003eancient-tree (gushu)\u003c\/strong\u003e Lao Man E, ripe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePressed in spring 2021 from the leaf of hundred-year-old trees on \u003cstrong\u003eBulang Mountain\u003c\/strong\u003e, and carefully small-basket fermented, it's rich, deep and full-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kind of Shou Cake you keep coming back to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout This Cake\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA premium \u003cstrong\u003eancient-tree (古树) ripe (Shou) pu-erh cake\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eLao Man E (老曼峨)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a top tea village on Bulang Mountain in \u003cstrong\u003eMenghai\u003c\/strong\u003e. It's made from carefully selected \u003cstrong\u003e100-year-old ancient-tree leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e, pure material, consistent inside and out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than a large pile, it's \u003cstrong\u003esmall-basket fermented\u003c\/strong\u003e — a more careful method that draws out the leaf's rich inner substance. The result is deep, full-bodied and mellow, with the thick, rounded aroma Lao Man E ripe is loved for. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ripened (Shou 熟) pu-erh cake · our finest Shou\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lao Man E (老曼峨), Bulang Mountain, Menghai (勐海)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrees:\u003c\/strong\u003e pure ancient-tree (gushu 古树), 100+ years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e small-basket fermented for a refined, rich result\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep, full-bodied and mellow, thick rounded aroma\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e spring 2021\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 357g cake, 50g Sample\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEssential Pu-erh Tea Accessories\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few pieces make pu-erh much easier to enjoy:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCake pin (breaker):\u003c\/strong\u003e a pu-erh cake is pressed rock-hard, so you'll want a proper \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/products\/pu-erh-cake-pin-in-a-sheath-large\"\u003epu-erh cake pin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e to prise it into pieces without shredding the leaf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeapot:\u003c\/strong\u003e for pu-erh we reach first for a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/collections\/yixing-zisha-teapot\"\u003eYixing zisha pot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the unglazed clay softens pu-erh's earthy edges for a rounder, smoother cup — or a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/collections\/gaiwan\"\u003egaiwan\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e for an easier, more affordable start.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep your cakes breathing and organised in a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/products\/pu-erh-bamboo-storage-unit-with-drawers\"\u003epu-erh bamboo storage unit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee the full range in our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/collections\/buy-pu-erh-tea-accessories\"\u003ePu-erh accessories\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to understand pu-erh a little better? Here's some honest, no-fluff knowledge to help you find your cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Choose Your First Pu-erh\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #FBF7EE; border-radius: 6px; padding: 12px 16px; margin: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour first pu-erh:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003estart with our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/products\/pu-erh-beginners-trial-pack\"\u003ePu-erh Beginner's Trial Pack\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eIt brings together \u003cstrong\u003eraw and ripe\u003c\/strong\u003e, loose and cake, in one box\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e— the easiest way to feel the difference and learn where you'd like to start next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe quick version:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRaw (Sheng)\u003c\/strong\u003e is like sashimi — fresh, bright and a little wild;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRipe (Shou)\u003c\/strong\u003e is like a rich, slow-cooked stew — dark, mellow and smooth, transformed by time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLove \u003cstrong\u003egreen or white tea\u003c\/strong\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003eStart raw.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLove \u003cstrong\u003eblack tea, dark tea (hei cha) or roasted oolong\u003c\/strong\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003eStart ripe\u003c\/strong\u003e — like this cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour next pu-erh:\u003c\/strong\u003e explore by region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScroll down — there's plenty here to help you decide. Finding a cake you love is a genuinely fun journey, and the pricey one isn't always the one that suits you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery one of our cakes comes in a \u003cstrong\u003e50g sample\u003c\/strong\u003e, so you can try before you commit. There's no better way to know a tea than to taste it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd once you find your favourite — buy a little more to keep. Most pu-erh cakes are aged for years, and when a batch sells out, it's gone for good. Storing the one you love is the smart move.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePu-erh Regions: Why Origin Shapes Taste \u0026amp; Price\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegion is one of the biggest reasons two pu-erhs can differ so much in \u003cstrong\u003etaste, quality and price\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross \u003cstrong\u003eYunnan\u003c\/strong\u003e, tea grows on hundreds of mountains, each giving its own character — shaped by the land and the \u003cstrong\u003etree type\u003c\/strong\u003e (ancient-tree, arbor or plantation).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's how Yunnan's three core regions break down — and what to expect from each:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- REGION 1: BAN-NA (Menghai highlighted; Lao Man E badged - this cake) --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #B79A5E; border-radius: 8px; padding: 14px 16px; margin: 12px 0; background: #FBF7EE;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-size: 1.05em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Ban-Na (西双版纳)\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"background: #6B5426; color: #ffffff; font-size: 0.8em; padding: 2px 10px; border-radius: 12px; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003eThe King of Pu-erh\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0;\"\u003eYunnan's most famous region, and home to the old and new \"Six Great Tea Mountains.\" It splits into two very different sides:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #F3DFA0; border: 1px solid #B79A5E; border-radius: 6px; padding: 10px 12px; margin: 0 0 10px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 5px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMenghai (勐海)\u003c\/strong\u003e — bold and domineering: rich, thick flavour, powerful cha qi and a high aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 14px; border-left: 2px solid #B79A5E; color: #6b5426;\"\u003e↳ Bu-Lang Tea Mountain (布朗茶山) — its most celebrated origins: \u003cstrong\u003eBan Zhang\u003c\/strong\u003e (班章), \u003cstrong\u003eLao Man E\u003c\/strong\u003e (老曼峨) \u003cspan style=\"background: #6B5426; color: #ffffff; font-size: 0.75em; padding: 1px 7px; border-radius: 10px; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003eThis cake\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eHekai\u003c\/strong\u003e (贺开).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border-left: 3px solid #B79A5E; padding-left: 12px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYiwu (易武)\u003c\/strong\u003e — soft and fine: a floral-honey aroma over a wild forest character, with the least bitterness of all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- REGION 2: LINCANG --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #B79A5E; border-radius: 8px; padding: 14px 16px; margin: 12px 0; background: #FBF7EE;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-size: 1.05em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Lincang (临沧)\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"background: #6B5426; color: #ffffff; font-size: 0.8em; padding: 2px 10px; border-radius: 12px; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003eThe Queen of Sweetness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0;\"\u003eLincang is all about sweetness — a high, lifted aroma and a broad, generous sweetness, floral and honeyed, with barely any bitterness. It's built on the celebrated Mengku broad-leaf variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border-left: 3px solid #B79A5E; padding-left: 12px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eBest-known origins: \u003cstrong\u003eBing Dao\u003c\/strong\u003e (冰岛), \u003cstrong\u003eXigui\u003c\/strong\u003e (昔归), \u003cstrong\u003eXiao Hu Zhai\u003c\/strong\u003e (小户寨) and \u003cstrong\u003eMengku\u003c\/strong\u003e (勐库).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- REGION 3: PU'ER --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #B79A5E; border-radius: 8px; padding: 14px 16px; margin: 12px 0; background: #FBF7EE;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-size: 1.05em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Pu'er (普洱)\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"background: #6B5426; color: #ffffff; font-size: 0.8em; padding: 2px 10px; border-radius: 12px; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003eThe Birthplace\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0;\"\u003eWhere the name \"pu-erh\" began. Soft, sweet and balanced, leaning to a floral-fruity sweetness — easy and approachable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border-left: 3px solid #B79A5E; padding-left: 12px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eBest-known origins: \u003cstrong\u003eWuliang Shan\u003c\/strong\u003e (无量山) and \u003cstrong\u003eKunlu Shan\u003c\/strong\u003e (困鹿山).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA handy shorthand pu-erh drinkers use:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBan Zhang is the king\u003c\/strong\u003e (bold and powerful),\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBing Dao is the queen\u003c\/strong\u003e (sweet and smooth),\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYiwu is grace itself\u003c\/strong\u003e (soft, supple and silky).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Decides a Pu-erh's Price?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePu-erh prices run from everyday to eye-watering, and it helps to know what you're paying for. A few things set the price:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it's grown (region):\u003c\/strong\u003e a famous mountain like Lao Ban Zhang or Bing Dao is scarce and commands top prices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe tree (variety \u0026amp; age):\u003c\/strong\u003e ancient-tree (gu shu) leaf sits above arbor (qiao mu), which sits above plantation (tai di).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe pick:\u003c\/strong\u003e even from the \u003cem\u003esame tree\u003c\/em\u003e, tender bud-and-tip fetches more than coarser leaf — and spring tea is prized over autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge, storage, grade \u0026amp; brand:\u003c\/strong\u003e older well-stored cakes, higher grades, and established houses like Dayi and Xiaguan all add to the price.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's why two cakes with the same famous name — say, \"Bing Dao\" — can sit at very different prices. The exact village, tree type, grade and season all change what ends up in the cup, so the same name never means the same tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #FBF7EE; border-left: 4px solid #B79A5E; border-radius: 6px; padding: 12px 16px; margin: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe're honest about price.\u003c\/strong\u003e A higher-priced cake usually costs more for a real reason — finer material and higher quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eBut taste is deeply personal, and a bigger price tag doesn't mean \"better for you.\" Don't chase the number on the label: \u003cstrong\u003etrust your tongue, not the price\u003c\/strong\u003e. The right cake is simply the one you love drinking — which is exactly why we sample everything first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePu-erh, Caffeine \u0026amp; Antioxidants\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all true tea from the \u003cem\u003eCamellia sinensis\u003c\/em\u003e plant, pu-erh is post-fermented and \u003cstrong\u003enaturally contains antioxidants and caffeine\u003c\/strong\u003e — that's simply part of the leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA gently brewed, well-aged ripe pu-erh tends to drink smooth and rounded rather than sharp. It's the classic cup to enjoy after a rich meal — warming, comforting and easy — which is exactly how it's been loved in China for generations. If you're sensitive to caffeine, keep your leaf light and your steeps short.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrew this \u003cstrong\u003eripened pu-erh\u003c\/strong\u003e the right way\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— check out our professional \u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eStorage Care\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eThe Origins\u003c\/strong\u003e below 👇\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ValleyGreenTea","offers":[{"title":"Full Cake","offer_id":45699775791283,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g Sample","offer_id":45699775824051,"sku":null,"price":26.52,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/1798\/8019\/files\/O1CN01lNjhyS1Dbg25VGHmS__1632530235-0-cib_1.jpg?v=1784359177","url":"https:\/\/www.valleygreentea.com.au\/products\/pu-erh-tea-premium-cake-ripened-lao-man-e-2021","provider":"Valley Green Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}