2010年景迈香蘑菇沱

The 2010 Jingmai Fragrant Mushroom Tuo Tea (景迈香蘑菇沱) is a raw (生茶) Pu’er tea crafted by Lancang Ancient Tea Company (澜沧古茶) and customized by the Pu’er City Government. This tea is pressed into the signature mushroom shape (蘑菇形), a form with deep cultural and historical significance that dates back to the Tang Dynasty.

The tea is crafted using premium leaves from Jingmai Mountain (景迈山), a region famed for its ancient tea gardens and fragrant teas. The mushroom tuo shape was historically designed to allow the tea to “breathe” during transportation, especially along the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道), while resembling the Agaricus arvensis mushrooms found growing in the mountains. Over a decade of natural aging has further enhanced its flavor, offering a smooth and fragrant tea with layers of complexity.

Historical Significance of Mushroom Tuo Tea

• Origin in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE):
  • The mushroom tuo tea, or 蘑菇沱茶, originated during the Tang Dynasty, when tea trade and consumption flourished.
  • Grouped teas were compacted into easily transportable shapes, and the mushroom form was favored for its practicality and aesthetic resemblance to Agaricus arvensis, a mushroom found in the mountains.
• Practical Design for Transportation:
  • The mushroom shape was specifically created to facilitate airflow, allowing the tea to “breathe” during long journeys.
  • This shape became particularly popular along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, where tea was transported over mountainous terrain to regions such as Tibet and beyond.
• Symbolism and Heritage:
  • The mushroom tuo shape also reflects the tea’s connection to nature, symbolizing the harmony between tea cultivation and the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems.

Jingmai Mountain Terroir (景迈山)

• Ancient Tea Gardens:
  • Jingmai Mountain, located in Lancang County, Pu'er City, is renowned for its ancient tea gardens, where tea trees are integrated with the region’s rich biodiversity.
  • Many of these ancient trees are hundreds of years old, producing leaves with concentrated flavors and aromas.
• Unique Terroir:
  • Jingmai’s high altitude, misty climate, and fertile soil contribute to the tea’s signature floral fragrance, natural sweetness, and smooth texture.

Key Features

• Cultural Significance:
  • Reflects the historical legacy of mushroom tuo tea, a tea form that originated in the Tang Dynasty and was perfected along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
• Jingmai Origin:
  • Made with high-quality leaves sourced from Jingmai Mountain’s ancient tea gardens.
• Practical Mushroom Shape:
  • The shape allows the tea to breathe during storage or transportation while symbolizing its natural origins.
• 2010 Vintage & Aging:
  • Over a decade of natural aging has enhanced the tea’s smoothness, depth, and complexity.
• Produced by Lancang Ancient Tea Company:
  • Crafted by a trusted producer known for preserving traditional Pu’er tea-making methods.
• Pu’er City Government Customization:
  • Part of a special government-commissioned series to promote the region’s tea heritage.

Aroma and Flavor Profile

• Aroma:
  • A rich floral fragrance with hints of orchid, honey, and a touch of mountain herbs.
• Flavor:
  • Sweet and Mellow: A naturally sweet taste with notes of wildflowers and dried fruit.
  • Balanced Complexity: Subtle earthy undertones complement the floral and fruity notes.
• Mouthfeel:
  • Smooth and refreshing, leaving a clean and pleasant sensation.
• Aftertaste:
  • A lingering floral sweetness with a light cooling effect, characteristic of high-quality Jingmai tea.

Why It Stands Out

• Historical Legacy:
  • A tea form with deep cultural roots, dating back to the Tang Dynasty and the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
• Symbolic Mushroom Tuo Shape:
  • Combines practicality with cultural and natural symbolism, resembling mountain mushrooms while promoting tea preservation.
• Authentic Jingmai Terroir:
  • Sourced from Jingmai’s ancient tea gardens, known for producing teas with fragrant and sweet profiles.
• Aged Excellence:
  • Over a decade of natural aging has created a tea with smoothness, complexity, and depth.
• Cultural and Collectible Value:
  • As part of a government-commissioned series, this tea is a tribute to the legacy of Pu’er and a valuable collectible for enthusiasts.