Xi Gui Hao
2004 Yunnan Menghai “Qilin Tuyu” Old Tree Aged Ripe Pu-erh Cake 357g | Xi Gui Hao
2004 Yunnan Menghai “Qilin Tuyu” Old Tree Aged Ripe Pu-erh Cake 357g | Xi Gui Hao
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🍂 A Single Pressing from 2004 — Cannot Be Replicated. 22 years of aging cannot be rushed or recreated. This tea was crafted in 2004 from ~500-year-old ancient trees in Menghai. What exists today is all there will ever be.
22 Years of Patience — Qilin Tuyu Aged Ripe Pu-erh from Menghai
Produced in 2004 in the Menghai tea district of Yunnan, this 22-year-aged ripe pu-erh carries the evocative name "Qilin Tuyu" (麒麟吐玉) — "The Qilin Spits Jade." Two decades of careful dry storage in Kunming have transformed this tea into something remarkable: a deeply mellow, sweet, and satisfying brew that embodies everything a well-aged shou pu-erh should be.
The Menghai tea district in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, is one of the most prestigious tea-producing regions in the world — home to famous mountains like Bulang, Nannuo, and Lao Banzhang. The ancient tea trees that produced this cake grow at approximately 1,700 meters altitude, where cool mountain air, abundant rainfall, and mineral-rich volcanic soils create ideal conditions for pu-erh tea. The high-altitude terroir imparts a distinctive depth and complexity to the leaves, while the 22 years of Kunming dry storage have allowed the tea to develop an exceptional smoothness and cleanliness that only time can achieve.
"Qilin Tuyu" refers to the mythical Qilin (麒麟), a benevolent creature in Chinese culture symbolizing prosperity and serenity — "spitting jade" evokes an image of something precious emerging from something already rare. The name suits this tea perfectly: from decades of quiet aging, a gem of a brew emerges — smooth, sweet, and deeply rewarding with every cup.
Flavor Profile & Tasting Notes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Dry Leaf | Well-compressed cake with a rich dark brown surface. The tea breaks apart cleanly, revealing mature leaf material with a complex aroma of aged wood and dried herbs — a fragrance that speaks of two full decades of patient aging. |
| Liquor | Deep wine-red with a lustrous, reddish-brown sheen. Rich and saturated yet crystal clear — the color of a perfectly aged shou pu-erh, reminiscent of a fine vintage port. |
| Aroma | A beautiful interweaving of aged wood and clean aged fragrance (陈香). The scent is warm and inviting — reminiscent of an old library, dried jujube, and a faint earthy sweetness. Completely clean with no musty or off-notes, a testament to proper Kunming dry storage. |
| Taste | Mellow and smooth from the very first sip. The texture is notably glutinous and silky (滑糯), coating the palate with a gentle sweetness that is both full-bodied (饱满) and thick (厚实). The flavor is harmonious — no bitterness, no rough edges — just a seamless blend of woody depth and natural sweetness that deepens with each steep. The character is gentle yet substantial, approachable yet layered. |
| Mouthfeel | Exceptionally smooth and glutinous — "滑糯甜润" captures it perfectly. The liquor has a thick, satisfying weight on the tongue, like a warm broth, yet remains soft and delicate. No astringency, no dryness — only a comfortable, rounded fullness. |
| Finish | Long, sweet, and comforting. A pleasant sweetness lingers at the back of the throat, accompanied by a gentle warmth that fills the senses. The finish is clean and peaceful — not stimulating or aggressive, but quietly satisfying in the way that only truly well-aged tea can be. |
| Aging Potential | Already 22 years old and drinking beautifully. This tea is fully mature and in an excellent drinking window right now. It will continue to evolve gracefully under proper storage, but its current state is a reward in itself — a perfect example of what decades of patient aging can achieve. |
Product Details at a Glance
| Brand | Xi Gui Hao (昔归号) |
| Tea Type | Ripe Pu-erh Tea (Shou Puerh) |
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Age | ~22 Years (Aged since 2004) |
| Origin | Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China |
| Tree Age | ~500 Years Old |
| Altitude | ~1,700m |
| Net Weight | 357g (cake) |
| Format | Compressed round cake (bing cha) |
| Storage | Kunming dry storage (昆明干仓) |
How to Brew
Gongfu Style (Recommended)
- Ratio: 7–8g to 150ml gaiwan or clay teapot
- Temperature: 95°C – 100°C
- Rinse: 1 quick rinse, 5 seconds, discard (awakens 22 years of aged character)
- Steeping: 10–15 seconds for the first 3 infusions, increase by 5–10 seconds each round. 15+ infusions achievable — this aged material delivers remarkably consistent quality across many steeps.
Western / Mug Style
Break off a small piece (3–5g) and add to your mug with 95°C water. Steep 2–3 minutes for a smooth, mellow cup with deep wine-red color. This 22-year-aged shou pu-erh is incredibly forgiving and easy to brew — no bitterness whatsoever, just warm, sweet comfort. Re-steep 4–5 times by refilling with hot water.
How to Store
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Keep the cake in its original wrapping or transfer to a breathable kraft paper bag, unglazed clay jar, or traditional bamboo tong. As a 22-year-aged ripe pu-erh that has been stored in Kunming dry conditions, this tea is already in a wonderful state — proper ongoing storage will preserve its current quality and allow continued gentle evolution. Avoid plastic containers and refrigerators.
Pure Tea, Handcrafted: This product is made from pure tea leaves with no additives or artificial ingredients, traditionally processed in Yunnan, China. Tested for pesticide residues in accordance with export standards. Like all real teas, Pu-erh contains natural caffeine. This product is a traditional tea beverage and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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