Origin

China

Asia

Caffeine Level (mg/1g)

0

1-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41+

Description

Tou Chun Ya Cha Sheng – First Spring Bud Raw Pu-erh

Tou Chun Ya is a raw (sheng) pu-erh from the Menghai region of Pu'er, Yunnan Province. It's crafted by carefully selecting the first tender, plump buds of the spring season — "Tou Chun Ya" means "first spring bud." Because raw pu-erh is unfermented, it retains abundant natural compounds such as tea polyphenols, giving it a lively, vibrant character.

The dry leaf is plump and covered with delicate silvery hairs, a sign of its early spring picking and high quality. Raw pu-erh like this is prized both for drinking fresh and for its ability to evolve beautifully with age.

Tasting Notes

Dry leaf: plump buds covered in silvery down
Liquor: golden green
Aroma: fresh, classic sheng pu-erh
Flavor: a characteristic bitterness on the tip of the tongue that mellows into sweetness
Finish: lasting sweetness with strong cha qi, plus floral and fruity notes

Why You'll Love It

Tou Chun Ya offers the lively, invigorating experience that raw pu-erh lovers seek: a brief, pleasant bitterness that transforms into a long, sweet finish and a strong, lingering cha qi. It's a wonderful tea for exploring the world of sheng pu-erh.

From Menghai, Yunnan
Made from the first spring buds
Floral, fruity and lively
Strong, lingering cha qi

How to Enjoy

Brew it gongfu-style in a gaiwan with short infusions, and enjoy many steeps to experience its transformation from bright to sweet. Stored properly, it will continue to evolve beautifully over time.

Fresh, vibrant and full of character, Tou Chun Ya is a raw pu-erh that's sure to delight.

1 TSP or 1 BAG

200ml

95°C

1.5 - 3 min

Preparation:

Use 1 TSP or 1 BAG per 200ml of water at 95°C and steep for 1.5-3 min.

Ingredients:

Raw Pu’erh tea

Write your own Review

Andrew Vazquez

June 2026

I enjoy this tea. I have never has raw pu'erh tea before and I was not expecting the complex flavors. floral, fresh, bitterness, some kind of smokiness also. I will surely purchase again when in stock.

Jd Aragon

June 2025

Strong Cha Qi! This one is particularly sweet and has an aftertaste of pineapple and guava. Vey smooth and rich. When you pour your cup you can immediately see the shimmering oils indicating a robust and juicy flavor. A great taste for those interested in trying Sheng Puer. I purchased a second batch to keep in stock with the rest of my "stash".

Jd Aragon

May 2025

Cha Qi is strong with this one but with ease... This has a apparent "funk" aroma when you first open the package. This is a normal for aged and fermented teas and is part of the excitement when you try something new! This immediately reminded me of a sheng pearl no longer in stock from another vendor. You get the sweet notes of over ripe pineapple. The leaves are gorgeous to admire in their dry state, long and twisty like little green snakes. Tea liquor is a bright golden hue and the mouth feel of tea oils is robust and very juicy. The lingering flavor is a great sensation to the taste buds. I recommend starting at a lower steep temp to enjoy the sweetness and work your way up to experiment bitterness control. I will typically start low and boil higher after the fifth steep.

David Pulsford

October 2024

I like this tea. For me, it has an almost syrupy quality and tastes slightly of cloves and sometimes liquorice. It's a banger !!!

See all 6 reviews

Tou Chun Ya Cha Sheng