1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh

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

"Lao Cha Tou" is a cooked (shou) pu-erh whose name translates from Chinese as "Old Tea Head." Also known as "Dragon Lumps" or "pu-erh rocks, " it is one of the most famous and beloved pu-erh varieties. Lao Cha Tou are dense nuggets of tea leaves that naturally clump together during the fermentation process, creating a pu-erh with a uniquely thick texture and remarkable staying power.

Our 1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh has been aging since 1998, allowing its flavor to mellow and deepen into something truly special. It offers a pleasant, gentle bitterness balanced by a nutty and pronounced dried-fruit taste, a sweet and soft flavor with hints of chocolate, and a very long, lingering aftertaste. It produces a thick, heavy tea infusion and is a wonderful pu-erh that we are proud to carry.

Tasting Notes

• Flavor: nutty and sweet with a 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

Why You'll Love It

Because these compact nuggets open slowly, Lao Cha Tou releases its flavor gradually, rewarding you with rich, consistent infusions one after another. That makes it one of the best-value pu-erhs for gongfu brewing — a small amount goes a very long way. With more than two decades of aging, this vintage has developed a smooth, almost dessert-like character that's easy to love.

• A famous pu-erh variety 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
• A thick, heavy infusion that stands up to many steeps

How to Enjoy

Lao Cha Tou is perfect for slow, meditative tea sessions. Give the nuggets a quick rinse, then enjoy multiple infusions, noticing how the flavor evolves as the dense leaves gradually open. It's also a naturally sweet, full-bodied alternative to coffee on chilly mornings.

Whether you're an experienced pu-erh drinker or simply curious to try a legendary variety, 1998 Year Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu'erh is a rich, rewarding tea that deserves a place in your collection.