The Lunar & Gift Raw Pu‑erh series brings together quality, value, and collectability in a way that reflects the best of traditionally processed mid‑aged sheng. These productions come from an era when raw pu‑erh was still crafted with classic methods—sun‑drying, slow kill‑green, and natural transformation—ensuring that each cake ages properly and expresses the depth that collectors seek.
This series is ideal for drinkers who appreciate authentic raw pu‑erh character: clean bitterness, steady sweetness, and the gradual emergence of camphor, fruit, or floral notes depending on the material and storage trajectory. Because these cakes were never subjected to modern acceleration techniques, they retain the unmistakable clarity and structure of traditional raw pu‑erh, making them reliable candidates for continued aging.
The Lunar & Gift theme adds an additional layer of charm and collectability. Whether you’re drawn to the cultural symbolism of the Lunar calendar or simply enjoy distinctive wrappers, these cakes offer a unique aesthetic appeal alongside their drinking value. Each listing represents a different point along the spectrum of age, terroir, and transformation, giving both newcomers and seasoned collectors a chance to explore how raw pu‑erh evolves over time.
Stored in Los Angeles, these cakes have benefited from a stable, moderate environment that supports slow, clean maturation. For anyone seeking traditionally processed raw pu‑erh with personality, provenance, and long‑term potential, the Lunar & Gift Raw Pu‑erh page offers a curated selection worth exploring.
’12 Dragon CMS
Apricot sour-sweet intermingling cream-orchid both in nose and broth. Astringent accent in huigan of light bitter apricot progressing to sweet apricot. Elegant. Medium viscosity. Strongly relaxing qi. Stone-pressed. Stored in Los Angeles since May, 2020.
‘10 Tiger CMS
Yes, the Tiger. Amidst the thickness and sweetness is a thread of bitterness of unmistakably classic Menghai/Bulang/Banzhang character. LA stored since Feb ’21.
’10 Tiger Tuo
Bright top notes with dark undertones of kerosene, lemonene as in frankincense, Lemon Heads candy, wood from some type of evergreen. Blend of old tree Jingmai, Mangjing, Mannong, Bangwei and Bingdao material. Lancang Gucha Tea Factory founded by Mme Du Chun-yi in 1998 from earlier Jingmai Tea Factory.
’10 Lucky Tiger
The Lucky Tiger is seventh in the 6FTM Lunar Series. Comprised of early spring material from Xishuangbanna, Lincang, and Simao. In Los Angeles since Feb ’19.
’09 Ox Tuo
Thundering qi resounds amidst a playful citric, lightly sweet cream broth. Drying astringency. Comprised of old tree Jingmai, Mangjing, Mannong, Bangwei and Bingdao material, this tuo strikes a nice balance between floral and fruity. In Los Angeles since mid ’16.
’09 Ox, 6FTM
The Ox is sixth in the 6FTM Lunar Series. Comprised of early spring material from Xishuangbanna, Lincang, and Simao. Humid storage. Stored in LA since Aug ’19.
’07 Hong Kong Returns 10th, XH
Gentle pumelo nose and broth. Finishes with light astringency pumelo, berry, a bit of cream. Five Golden Flower of Menghai TF, Zhang Jian-li’s Xinghai. In Los Angeles since Oct ’22.
’07 HK Returns, ZC
Intense dense sweetness and huigan. HK Returns Cake, originally acquired in ’16, has evolved from a Tobacco Class production into a complex wonder squarely residing in the Fruit Class. Zhongcha/ChinaTea. In Los Angeles since Feb ’21.
’07 Red Mark Mandala
Gentle wafting vanilla fragrance. Slate stone minerality amidst Zen Class character. Intense sweetness, rock sugar. Banzhang and Bulang late spring material. Snazzy Tibetan mandala gift box. From Zhongcha/ChinaTea Kunming Tea Factory, one of the three pillars of the puerh industry. Stored in Los Angeles since Dec ’20.
’05 Brocade Rooster
The Brocade Rooster is second in the 6FTM Lunar Series. Comprised of early spring material from Xishuangbanna, Lincang, and Simao, this recipe distinguishes itself for being extremely assertive in taste and qi. Stored in Los Angeles since Feb ’16.
