Masu Old Bush Lapsang Souchong 麻粟老枞小种 (2026)

Masu Old Bush Zhengshan Xiaozhong from Tongmu Guan. High-mountain black tea with fir and bamboo notes, cooling throat feel, and sweet returning aftertaste. Tea Profile Type: Black Tea (Zhengshan Xiaozhong 正山小种 / Lapsang Souchong) Location: Masu Village (麻粟村), Tongmu Guan (桐木关), Wuyishan Altitude: About 1300 m Harvest Date: May 20, 2026 Cultivar: Cai Cha 菜茶 (Qun Ti Zhong 群体种) Age of Tea Trees: Over 100 years The Story of This Tea Masu Village lies deep within the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve and is one of the twelve historic tea-producing hamlets of Tongmu Guan. At 1300 meters altitude, its climate is cold, windy, and often marked by frost or snow. The ancient Cai Cha bushes here grow slowly under these challenging conditions, developing concentrated inner substances and exceptional resilience. The environment is pristine. Moss-covered trunks, wild vegetation, and mineral-rich rocky soils combine to produce tea that is both pure and powerful in character. Old bush Zhengshan Xiaozhong from Masu is celebrated for its unique throat sensation known locally as dùn hóu (遁喉). A brief herbal bitterness appears at first, then transforms into a cooling sweetness that lingers in the throat. This distinctive experience defines Masu tea and distinguishes it from other Tongmu origins. This Laocong Xiaozhong is made from mature leaves of century-old bushes. It delivers fir-wood and bamboo-leaf aromatics, greater depth, and a stronger returning sweetness. Aroma and Flavour This tea reflects the strength and purity of Masu’s high-mountain terroir. The aroma evokes fir wood and bamboo leaves, interwoven with the deep fragrance of old trees. The liquor is bright golden-red, clear, and lively. On the palate it is smooth, rich, and sweet, supported by a subtle herbal bitterness that enhances the depth of flavour. The cooling dùn hóu effect defines the aftertaste, leaving a long, sweet finish that persists beautifully across many infusions. Aroma: Fir wood, bamboo leaf, and laocong woody fragrance Flavor: Sweet, refreshing, and layered with pleasant herbal bitterness Texture: Thick, smooth, and rich with depth Aftertaste: Long-lasting huigan with the signature cooling dùn hóu sensation Liquor: Bright golden-red, crystal clear, and lively Steeping Endurance: 8 to 10 infusions Brewing Guidelines Gong Fu Style Teaware: Porcelain gaiwan for clarity, or Hongni 红泥 / Duanni 段泥 Yixing teapot to enhance sweetness and roundness Ratio: 7–8 g per 100–110 ml water Water: 95–100 °C spring water Infusions: Rinse once, then brew 8–10 infusions, gradually extending steeping time Western Style Teaware: Porcelain or glass teapot Ratio: 3–4 g per 250 ml water Water: About 95 °C Steeping: 2–3 minutes for the first infusion. Resteep 2–3 times with slightly longer durations Why Choose This Tea This 2026 Masu Old Bush Lapsang Souchong is a powerful and elegant expression of true Tongmu craftsmanship. Grown from century-old Cai Cha trees in the cold, pristine heights of Masu Village, it embodies the essence of laocong Zhengshan Xiaozhong. With its unique fir and bamboo-leaf aroma, balanced herbal sweetness, and signature cooling dùn hóu throat sensation, this tea captures the depth, purity, and vitality of Wuyishan’s most revered black tea tradition.