2026 Bing Dao Raw Pu-erh

Bing Dao Raw Pu-erh is a sheng (raw) pu-erh from the Bing Dao area of Mengku in Lincang, Yunnan, one of the most celebrated tea-growing villages in China. It brews a golden cup that's smooth and sweet, with notes of honey, nectarine and the clean rock-sugar sweetness Bing Dao is known for.

Description

Bing Dao (冰岛, sometimes written Bingdao) is a small village on the western slopes of the Mengku mountains in Lincang, Yunnan, and its name has become one of the most recognized in the pu-erh world. Tea has grown here for centuries, and local legend says that in 1485 a Dai chief sent his men to Yiwu, in southern Yunnan near the Laos border, to bring back 200 tea seeds.

According to our supplier, around 20 of those original trees are still standing, with the oldest estimated at about 500 years old, and their descendants gave rise to the variety now known as Mengku Big Leaf.

Part of what makes Bing Dao tea so distinctive is where it grows. The village sits high in the mountains, where spring brings strong sunlight and dry air, and those conditions produce thick, flavorful leaves.

In the cup, this tea is smooth and gently sweet, with notes of honey and ripe nectarine over a rock-sugar sweetness that lingers long after each sip.

Tea drinkers often talk about Bing Dao's "cha qi," a term for the warming, settling feeling a really good pu-erh leaves behind, and this is a tea that rewards slow sipping. It holds up beautifully over many infusions in a gaiwan, so it's a lovely one to share across an afternoon.

Every order also comes with a curated sample chosen to pair with what you've picked, and US orders over $39 ship free.

Gong Fu Brewing:

Tea: 5 grams per 4 ounces of water
Water temperature: 195°F - 90°C
Infusion length: 30-60 seconds. May be infused 10 additional times.

Western Brewing:

Tea: 2 grams per 4 ounces of water
Water temperature: 195°F - 90°C
Infusion length: 60 seconds. May be infused 5 additional times.

FAQ's

• What is Bing Dao pu-erh? Bing Dao pu-erh is tea from Bing Dao village in Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan. It's prized for its rock-sugar sweetness, smooth texture and long, lingering finish.
• What's the difference between raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) pu-erh? Raw pu-erh is made without the accelerated wet-piling fermentation used for ripe pu-erh, so it tastes brighter and fresher when young and slowly changes with age. Ripe pu-erh is darker, earthier and smoother from the start.
• How should I brew Bing Dao raw pu-erh? For gongfu brewing, use about 5g of tea per 4oz of water at 195°F and short 30 to 60 second steeps, adding time as you go.
• Can I age this tea? Yes, raw pu-erh can be stored and aged. Keep it away from light, strong smells and humidity extremes, ideally in a breathable container.
• Does Bing Dao pu-erh have caffeine? Yes, like all tea made from the tea plant, it contains caffeine.