Tea – Shu Puer “Sigui” 357g, 2009

Shu Puer "Sigui" 2009, pancake 357 g

Dive into the world of aged puerh

Imagine a mountain village where time seems to slow down and the air is filled with the aroma of damp wood, mountain herbs and damp forest after rain. It is in such conditions, in the remote area of Xigui , located in Lincang County of Yunnan Province, that this special Shu Puer is born. Only old tea trees, growing for tens and even hundreds of years, provide the raw material for this cake. Careful leaf picking, traditional post-fermentation technology and aging since 2009 form a deep drink.

For a tea connoisseur, this puer will become not just a drink, but part of a ritual, when each sip immerses you in peace, gives you concentration and leaves a long sweet aftertaste that is impossible to forget. This is a tea that reveals inner balance, allowing you to relieve tension and at the same time support the body with energy without sudden surges.

Taste and aroma

The infusion of this Shu Puer is thick, with a rich cognac hue. It has a soft woody astringency, combined with nutty notes and the aroma of a damp forest. With each infusion, the taste becomes deeper, more rounded, and the shades are revealed in a new way. The tea does not have the sharp earthiness characteristic of many young Puer, but is distinguished by its purity and balance. It is easy to drink every day, because it gives comfort and does not overload the receptors.

The long aftertaste is especially valuable - it is sweet, viscous, and remains in the mouth long after the cup is empty. It is for this property that pu-erhs from the Xigui region are especially prized by connoisseurs.

Effects and impact on the body

Shu Puer Xigui is designed for those moments when you need to relieve internal anxiety, but at the same time remain focused and involved in the work process. It acts on multiple levels:

• calms the nervous system, reduces feelings of tension;
• improves digestion, promotes easier absorption of food;
• tones gently and long-lastingly, without sudden surges of energy;
• gives clarity of mind and helps to concentrate.

This effect is not immediately noticeable, but appears gradually, like a wave of peace enveloping the body. That is why Shu Puer is considered an ideal drink for evening meetings, meditation or long reading.

Origin and uniqueness of the region

Lincang, where this tea is grown, is known for its ecological purity. It is a non-industrialized region of Yunnan, where nature has retained its pristine strength. The old tea trees here are rooted in rich mountain soil and receive minerals from pure sources. As a result, the raw material has a rich chemical composition and exceptional aging potential.

Xigui is a region that is considered a "gold mine" among tea collectors. Its pu-ers are distinguished by their special delicacy and long aftertaste, which can be felt even after many steepings. Thanks to this, the drink looks luxurious not only for everyday use, but also as part of tea collections that acquire value over the years.

Processing technology and aging

To understand the uniqueness of Shu Puer "Xigui" , it is important to know its path from fresh leaves to the finished cake. First, the tea leaves after picking are laid out in direct sunlight, where they undergo natural drying. This provides the basic foundation for the future taste, because the sun's rays preserve the enzymes that will later open during fermentation.

Next comes the "vot dui" stage - controlled post-fermentation, when the tea is piled up in large heaps, moistened and kept at a certain temperature. At this point, a complex process of microbiological transformation takes place, which creates the characteristic soft, deep taste of Shu Puer. The importance of this stage cannot be overestimated: it is here that the rich dark color of the infusion and its velvety profile are formed.

After fermentation, the leaves are steamed and pressed into a traditional 357g pancake shape. This method of storage allows the tea to gradually mature, and over the years the taste becomes even more harmonious and refined. Aging since 2009 has given the drink stability, balance and depth, which can be felt from the first sip.

Why is this Shu Puer special?

There are many pu-erhs on the market, but Xigui has some features that distinguish it from most:

• Old tree origin. This is not a plantation tea, but leaves from tall trees that yield less but provide a more powerful flavor profile.
• The Lincang region is known for its exceptional raw material quality, as it has preserved the tradition of growing tea without large-scale industrial processing.
• Aged for over 15 years, time makes the drink more velvety and deprives it of harshness.
• Depth of flavour. There are not only earthy or woody tones, but also sweetness, nuttiness and a delicate aroma of damp woods.

Compared to Menghai or Xiaguan pu'erhs, which often have a distinct, dense earthiness, this cake has a more delicate flavor, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and experienced tea drinkers.

Who is this tea suitable for?

Shu Puer Xigui is a choice for those who appreciate a calm and at the same time rich drink. It will be a great companion for:

• for evening tea ceremonies, when you need to let go of the day's fatigue;
• for work or study, because it gives concentration without a sharp rise;
• for those who want to replace coffee with a softer and healthier tonic drink;
• for meditative practices and moments when clarity of mind is important.

This puerh is not recommended for those looking for a strong caffeine kick or sharp bitterness. Its strength lies in its soft stability, in the feeling of an “inner core” that appears after a few cups.

How to brew correctly

To reveal the taste potential of Shu Puer "Xigui", you should follow several rules:

• Use approximately 5-6 g of tea per 100-120 ml of water.
• The optimal water temperature is 95–98°C.
• Before the first brew, it is recommended to quickly rinse the tea with boiling water to wake up the leaves.
• It is better to brew in a clay teapot, gaiwan or glass container.
• Hold the first infusions for 10-15 seconds, gradually increasing the steeping time.

This approach will allow you to get a multifaceted taste, to feel how the shades are revealed gradually – from light woodiness to deep sweetish completeness.

Value for collectors and everyday consumption

This 2009 cake is both affordable for everyday tea drinking and a collector's item. Many connoisseurs look for aged pu-erhs, which become more expensive and rare over time. "Sigui" is already quite old, so it can be both a great gift for a gourmet and the basis of a personal tea shelf.

Thanks to its origin and aging, it has a balance between depth and lightness, making it a versatile choice. It is a tea that you will never get tired of, because each infusion creates a new impression.

The power of old trees

It is no coincidence that this Shu Pueru cake is made from old trees. Unlike young tea bushes, which produce a faster and more massive harvest, old trees feed on roots from deeper layers of the earth. They extract minerals and microelements that give the leaves a special concentration. As a result, the drink turns out to be rich, multi-layered and resistant to many infusions.

Tea from such trees has a more pronounced "bodily" taste, capable of maintaining a balance between softness and depth. This is why pu-erhs from old trees are so valued by connoisseurs and collectors: they are rarer, more expensive and have a unique character that is difficult to reproduce in plantation conditions.

The role of fermentation

Post-fermentation is the heart of Shu Puer. The process of "blowing" activates complex microflora, which transforms the leaves, giving it new shades of taste and aroma. The feelings that this tea gives cannot be equated with ordinary varieties. It is a soft wave of peace, warmth and inner balance.

Fermentation also reduces the acidity of the drink, making it more comfortable for the stomach. This is why Shu Puer "Xigui" is recommended to be drunk after hearty meals to ease digestion and avoid heaviness.

Impact on health

This tea has a number of beneficial effects:

• supports healthy bowel function;
• reduces stress levels through a gentle calming effect;
• tones without sharp fluctuations in energy;
• removes excess toxins and stimulates metabolism;
• promotes clarity of thinking and concentration.

For those who want to combine pleasant tea drinking with health benefits, Shu Puer "Xigui" will be the perfect choice. It can be drunk every day - it does not deplete, but on the contrary, helps to restore strength.

Tea culture and comparison with other varieties

In China, pu-erh is considered a drink of wisdom and endurance. It is often used in rituals when no rush is required, but deep immersion in the moment. If you compare this cake with the famous pu-erhs of the Menghai or Haiwan factories, Xigui is distinguished by its delicacy. Where others can be too sharp or dense, this tea gives smoothness and harmony.

That is why it is recommended to those who are just beginning to get acquainted with Shu Puer: it does not scare away with its earthiness, but on the contrary, opens the doors to the world of aged Chinese teas. For experienced connoisseurs, it is interesting because it allows you to appreciate the features of the Xigui region, which is difficult to find in other areas of Yunnan.

How to Create Your Own Ritual

Brewing this puerh can be turned into a personal ritual. A few simple steps are enough:

• choose a quiet time when there are no distractions;
• prepare a teapot or gaiwan, heat the dishes with hot water;
• inhale the aroma of dry leaves - it resembles wood and dried fruits;
• make the first quick pour and drain it, as if washing away the fatigue of the day;
• Then enjoy each cup, noticing how the flavor changes.
• This approach will help you not just drink tea, but live it, make it part of your history.

Shu Puer Xigui 2009 in a 357g cake format is not just a drink, but a whole experience. It gives a feeling of stability, calm and inspiration, becoming an ideal companion for both everyday life and special moments. This is a tea for those who want to feel the real taste of Yunnan, appreciate the depth of aging and enjoy the purity of the Lincang ecological region.

Thanks to the combination of old trees, traditional technology and over 15 years of aging, this pancake is an investment in your pleasure and health. Choose it for yourself or as a gift to a loved one - and you will see that quality tea can change your mood and even your day.