Gold Nugget 2017 – Lao Cha Tou Ripe Puerh Brick
Gold Nugget 2017 is a 250-gram ripe puerh brick made from Lao Cha Tou, the naturally formed “tea nuggets” that develop during the fermentation process used to create ripe, or shou, puerh. These dense little clusters form as tea leaves warm, soften, and gently bind together during wet piling, creating a style of puerh known for its smooth body, sweetness, and long-lasting flavor.
This brick was produced by Nan Jian Tu Lin Tea Factory, a well-established puerh producer in Yunnan with more than 30 years of experience. Tu Lin ripe puerhs are known for their balanced flavor, sweet aftertaste, and reliable everyday-drinking character.
Pressed from 2015 to 2017 cha tou material, this tea has had time to soften and settle. The cup is ultra smooth, sweet, and full-bodied, with much of the fresh fermentation aroma already mellowed by age. It is delicious now and can continue to develop more complexity with further storage.
What is Lao Cha Tou?
Lao Cha Tou, sometimes called “old tea heads,” refers to the small clumps of tea that naturally form during ripe puerh fermentation. As the tea is piled, moistened, warmed, and turned, some leaves bind together under the pressure, heat, and humidity of the pile. These nuggets tend to brew slowly and steadily, releasing a rich, sweet, earthy flavor over long infusions.
Flavor Profile
Smooth, sweet, and full-bodied with earthy depth, a mellow aged character, and a lingering sweet finish.
Ingredients
Ripe (Shou) Chinese Puerh Tea.
Brewing Instructions
This tea is especially well suited to longer infusions, grandpa-style brewing, or simmering.
For a mug or small teapot, loosen a small piece from the brick and use about 5 to 7 grams of tea for 8 to 12 ounces of water. Rinse briefly with hot water, then steep with water just off the boil for 3 to 5 minutes, adjusting to taste. Re-steep several times.
For grandpa-style brewing, use about 10 to 12 grams in a 500 ml mug or thermos. Add hot water, let the tea steep directly in the vessel, and refill with more hot water as you drink.
For an especially rich brew, simmer the tea gently in a saucepan for several minutes.
Serving Guidance
Gold Nugget is a great choice for everyday ripe puerh drinking, especially after meals or during cool weather. Enjoy it plain for its earthy sweetness, or brew it strong for a darker, fuller cup. Because Lao Cha Tou releases flavor slowly, it is best with longer brewing methods rather than very short gongfu-style infusions.
Details
Tea Weight: 250 grams
Tea Type: Ripe, or shou, puerh
Style: Lao Cha Tou brick
Ingredients: Yunnan large-leaf varietal fermented puerh
Producer: Nan Jian Tu Lin Tea Factory
