Old Manuo is one of the famous ancient tea gardens in the Bulang region, collectively known as the Five Ban Zhang Villages along with Old Ban Zhang, New Ban Zhang, Dakalong, and Dakanuan. Old Manuo has a long history of tea cultivation, and there are still over 3200 acres of ancient tea gardens left from our ancestors—a vast area. In fact, Old Manuo is the largest and oldest Bulang village in the Brown Mountain range. Let's delve into some knowledge about the Bulang people.
Geographical Environment of Old Manuo
Old Manuo is located in the heart of Brown Mountain within Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The altitude here reaches over 1,600 meters, with rolling mountains and misty clouds. The unique natural environment provides ideal growing conditions for Old Manuo.
In this magical land, tea trees coexist harmoniously with the forest, forming a unique ecosystem. The Soil is rich in minerals, combined with a suitable climate and abundant rainfall, giving Old Manuo's tea leaves their distinct character.
What are the Characteristics of Old Manuo Tea?
The most distinctive feature of Old Manuo tea might be its bitterness. While some may try to describe it using other terms, “bitter” is indeed bitter, and there's no need to avoid mentioning it—it's not a flaw but rather a selling point.
The dry leaves of Old Manuo are robust and thick, tightly bound and covered in fine hairs. The liquor is crystal clear and bright, with a strong and rich flavor that is very resilient to brewing. It has a pronounced bitterness that dissipates quickly, followed by a pleasant aftertaste. The spring leaves of Old Manuo's ancient trees are plump yet challenging to swallow; only seasoned tea drinkers can fully appreciate them, while newcomers should gradually build up their palate.
The characteristics of Old Manuo's ancient tree tea are as follows:
1. Large and thick tea leaves.
2. A golden, bright, and transparent liquor.
3. Bitter like the Chinese herb Huanglian; after the bitterness comes sweetness. By the 5th to 7th Infusion, there is a refreshing salivation on both cheeks and a delightful aftertaste.
4. The tea has a powerful and fierce character, with a cold nature. After ten infusions, the taste becomes smooth and endures many brews.
Seven parts of bitterness transform into fragrance, and ten days later, the bitterness turns sweet. Old Manuo is even more powerful than Old Ban Zhang, and this statement couldn't be truer. Old Manuo is an excellent ancient tree tea that has been misinterpreted and undervalued. “Ten years of Manuo surpasses Ban Zhang,” and good tea requires continuous study and exploration to thrive.