Ripe Pu’er Dragon Pearls Premium

Ripe Pu’er Dragon Pearls – Aged Shou Pu’er (2010 Collection)

Hand-Rolled Fermented Pu’er from Yunnan, China
Smooth, Rich, and Comforting – Aged Since 2010

A pearl of warmth, aged with quiet strength.

These Ripe Pu’er Dragon Pearls (熟普洱龙珠) are hand-rolled spheres of fermented Pu’er tea, produced in Yunnan and carefully aged since 2010. Each pearl is made from fermented Yunnan large-leaf tea, tightly wrapped into a compact orb that slowly unfurls over multiple steeps.

With 14 years of natural aging, these pearls offer a deep, earthy, mellow flavor with notes of forest floor, sweet jujube, and smooth wood. The infusion is dark, clean, and soothing—ideal for digestion, grounding, and moments of stillness.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Ripe Pu’er - Aroma of Earth and Rain.

Why You’ll Love These Aged Dragon Pearls

• Made in 2010 and aged to full maturity
• Smooth and mellow with no bitterness or mustiness
• Hand-rolled for slow, even unfolding in each steep
• Compact, easy to brew—perfect for travel or portion control
• Aged Shou Pu’er ideal for cool weather or post-meal comfort

Tasting Notes

• Damp wood, cacao shell, and dried plum
• Smooth, rounded body with earthy sweetness
• Notes of date, leather, and polished root
• Dark, clear liquor with a warm, grounding finish

Tea Profile

• Type: Ripe Pu’er (Shou Cha, 熟茶)
• Format: Hand-rolled Dragon Pearls (~5g each)
• Origin: Yunnan Province, China
• Cultivar: Yunnan Large-Leaf (大叶种)
• Fermentation: Post-fermented using wo dui (渥堆) method
• Appearance: Deep brown rolled spheres; dark reddish liquor
• Collected: 2010

Processing

Each pearl is made using traditional Ripe Pu’er processing:

1. Harvest – Large-leaf Yunnan tea picked and sun-dried
2. Fermentation – Leaves piled and moistened for ~40 days (wo dui)
3. Rolling – While warm and pliable, tea is hand-rolled into pearls
4. Drying & Aging – Pearls are slowly dried and naturally aged since 2010

The shape slows infusion slightly, allowing the tea to evolve over multiple steeps with depth and clarity.

More about Ripe Puer and its production.

Health Benefits

• Promotes digestion and internal warmth
• Gently energizing—smooth caffeine without spikes
• Rich in probiotics, polyphenols, and fermented compounds
• Excellent for cold weather, after meals, or daily grounding

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 1 pearl (~5g)
• Water temperature: 98–100°C / 208–212°F
• Rinse: 2 quick rinses (5 seconds each)
• Infusions:
• 1st: 25–30 sec
• 2nd: 30–35 sec
• 3rd–7th: Increase gradually
• Tip: Use clay or thick-walled teaware to preserve warmth and deepen flavor

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: 1 pearl
• Water temperature: 95–98°C / 203–208°F
• Steep time: 2.5–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Let the pearl fully open—later infusions will be richer

Cultural Significance

Dragon Pearls are a traditional shape in Chinese tea-making, symbolizing concentration, elegance, and unfolding spirit. Unlike cakes or bricks, pearls are easy to portion and carry, making them a popular choice for travelers and tea lovers alike.

This 2010 vintage offers a beautiful example of what time and care can do—a tea that’s mellowed, smoothed, and grown wiser with age. Perfect for quiet evenings, slow mornings, or reflective sessions with friends.