2007 Xiaguan Yi Ji Raw Pu Erh Tuocha Tea

Two decades of aging have transformed this Xiaguan Yi Ji Tuocha into a smooth, sweet raw pu-erh that still proudly carries a rich, deeply smoky character. While aging on the shelf have beautifully rounded out the edges, its prominent smoky profile remains front and center, melting seamlessly into the tea’s natural, mature sweetness. For those already familiar with Xiaguan, this tea delivers a noticeably smokier, more robust punch than the golden-standard Jia Ji tuocha. For anyone looking to experience the classic Xiaguan terroir at its peak, it serves as a powerful yet remarkably smooth introduction. Taste & Aroma Wrapped in brown paper, this tuocha has a moderately tight compression. The dry leaves have an oily appearance, with dark tea leaves interwoven with golden buds. The tea releases a clear and lingering fragrance once awakened with boiling water. In the cup, it is wonderfully sweet, smooth, and smoky, with hardly any bitterness and only a very mild astringency. This tuocha also lasts a long time. Just 5 grams of tea can yield about 1.25 liters, so it’s both enjoyable and practical if you like longer tea sessions. Xia Guan Yi Ji Grade Originally developed by Xiaguan in 1988, the Yi Ji grade has always occupied a somewhat unusual place in the brand’s history. In some years, it was also marketed as “Grade 1 Tuocha” 一级, leading to some naming confusion over time. As Yi Ji has not been produced as consistently as Xiaguan’s more widely known grades Te Ji and Jia Ji, an aged Yi Ji tuocha is a rare find today.