1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh

1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh – Vintage "Old Tea Head" Pu-erh Nuggets

Lao Cha Tou is a cooked (shou) pu-erh whose Chinese name translates as "Old Tea Head." Also called "Dragon Lumps" or "pu-erh rocks, " it is one of the most famous and popular pu-erh varieties. The tea consists of dense nuggets of leaves that clump together naturally during fermentation, resulting in a pu-erh with an unusually thick texture and exceptional staying power.

The 1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh has been aging since 1998, giving its flavor time to mellow and deepen. After more than two decades, it has developed a smooth, almost dessert-like character. The cup offers a pleasant, gentle bitterness balanced by nutty notes and a pronounced dried-fruit taste, with a sweet, soft flavor and hints of chocolate. It produces a thick, heavy infusion and a remarkably long, soft and sweet aftertaste. Because the compact nuggets open slowly, they release flavor gradually and deliver rich, consistent infusions one after another, making this one of the best-value pu-erhs for gongfu brewing, where a small amount goes a very long way. A quick rinse before brewing is customary, and the flavor evolves as the dense leaves gradually open. It also serves as a naturally sweet, full-bodied alternative to coffee on cold mornings, and suits slow, meditative tea sessions in tea rooms.

Product Profile

• Type: ripe (cooked, shou) pu-erh, Lao Cha Tou nuggets
• Origin: China
• Vintage: aging since 1998
• Flavor: nutty and sweet with pronounced dried-fruit character
• Accents: soft hints of chocolate and a pleasant, gentle bitterness
• Body: thick, heavy and deeply satisfying
• Aftertaste: soft, sweet and remarkably long
• Caffeine: contains caffeine (pu-erh)

Key Selling Points

• A famous pu-erh style known as "Old Tea Head" or "Dragon Lumps"
• Aged since 1998 for a mellow, mature profile
• Nutty, dried-fruit and chocolate notes with a long aftertaste
• Thick infusion that stands up to many steeps, excellent value for gongfu service
• Vintage story that suits collectors and specialty tea shops

For tea shops and specialty retailers, 1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh is a legendary, rewarding vintage that earns its place in a premium collection.