• Ceramic teapot next to a plate of wrapped tea on a white background
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Bana Tea Company

Hidden Gem Mini-Cake Ripe Pu-erh Tea (5.0) · 7 reviews

Hidden Gem Mini-Cake Ripe Pu-erh Tea

$33.00 USD
$33.00 USD
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Shipping calculated at checkout.

Vintage: 2006 Spring Harvest
Weight: 100 grams (9 mini cakes)
Type: Ripe Pu-erh (fermented)
Grade: 1-3
Production area:Bulang Mtn, Menghai County, Yunnan

Taste characteristics:
This tea was procured by Master Chan in 2006 because of its high quality. At that time, using leaves from arbor trees as raw materials for ripe pu-erh was very rare. Because this tea does not come in fancy packaging, it remains a very good-valued tea that is known to relatively few. It was truly a good-find during my recent trip to Hong Kong.

After over two decades of aging in Hong Kong, this tea is velvety smooth and soft. When the rice scent starts to emerge, it has a very soothing and comfortable effect on the body. Each mini cake contains 12g of leaves and can be easily split into halves by pressing against the creased line in the middle.

Brewing guide

Use 6 grams (half of the mini cake) of leaves in 6 oz pot or cup. Brew with 212 F degree water (100 C).
RINSE: 10 seconds
1st BREW: 2 minutes, or until the leaves loosen up
2nd BREW: 1 minute
3rd BREW: 30 seconds
4th BREW: 20 seconds
5th BREW: 20 seconds
6th BREW: 30 seconds
7th BREW: 1 minute
8th BREW: 3 minutes

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Customer Reviews (7)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A Gem

By Tyler Smith
What a gem! Delicious and soft! Hoping to buy again soon.
Our Response:

This tea is a great find. Its value is hard to beat given its good quality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A real treat

By Neal Perrin
What a real treat everything about this ripe puer is awesome . From the first infusion to the last sweet smooth lingering after taste. Hope to get more a must have.
Our Response:

Thanks, Neal, for such a raving review. This tea was a great find during my most recent visit to Master Chan.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wonderful Tea

By Jean Coltrain
Like many others, I learned about pu-erh tea and Bana Tea Company from the novel “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane�?, by Lisa See.
The tea is delightful! I am excited about the health benefits to be reaped from drinking the tea.
The package arrived intact, and the tea inside was wrapped securely.
I will definitely be ordering again!!
Our Response:

Thank you so much for the nice review. We are very glad to know that you are happy with the tea you ordered from us. Look forward to hearing from you again.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Would give 6/5 if I could

By Eric Canton
I have been searching for a strong and sublime ripe cake pu-erh for years after I moved away from a tea shop that I used to get it from. After many lack-luster tries other places, i found Bana, and this awesome "Hidden Gem." I am going to buy more right after I submit this review.
Our Response:

Thank you so much for your raving review. This tea was my best find during my trip to Hong Kong last year. There are many "hidden gem" teas out there. I will continue to find them.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great tea

By John3
This tea is thick, viscous and soft with a long lingering, cooling aftertaste. Subtle woody, sweet, and cocoa-like flavors. Perhaps because of its age (close to 20 years), this tea takes some time at the beginning of the session to open up and reveal itself. Once opened, however, its good qualities endure over many steeps.
Our Response:

Thank you for the nice review. Yes, another reason it takes some time at the beginning of the session to open up the leaves is that it is compressed. It takes time for the water to permeate the leaves and open them up.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lovely tea

By Zea Morvitz
I was happy for the chance to taste an aged tea at a friendly price �? and so glad I did. My husband and I love the sweet taste- even on the fourth brewing. This tea is now one of our favorites.
Our Response:

Thank you for sharing your impression of the Hidden Gem Mini-cake. This is truly a good-valued tea for its high quality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mini-cake… Mighty taste

By Raj
Wow, I asked for a recommendation and this one didn’t disappoint. Hidden Gem accurately describes this Pu’er.
From the first sip to the last, it was inviting, stayed awhile and lingered long after it was gone. I also enjoyed the way the small brick is scored, allowing you to break in half easily, drop into your tea pot and enjoy several steeps per session.
Bana hit another one out of the park… and like they often do, threw in a sample of another Pu’er to try.
Thank you Linda and the Bana team
Our Response:

What an honor to receive such glowing review. We appreciate your support and kind words. Keep drinking - cheers!