Empty Mirror
Ancient Tree Gongting Shou Puerh 2025
- Description
- Brewing Instructions
Working with a new cooperative in Western Yunnan, I’ve been so grateful to find other tea lovers who are offering clean, old-growth, organic shou puerh of this quality, while still being reasonably priced. The processing expertise is evident in how clean the brew is. There are no hints of mustiness or over-fermentation. This tea reminds me of the first fallen leaves of Autumn, deep forest springs, sweetly aromatic loam, and late-season vegetables. This is a tea to drink when the first chill is detected in the air, as you are preparing for the descent into the yin time of the year. Empty Mirror satisfies all the qualities we look for in an expertly fermented ripe puerh: oily, rich, full-bodied, calming and smooth. This type of tea supports metabolism and digestion, making it ideal as an Earth tea. It also stands alone beautifully as a grounding tea. The ancient trees (200-400 years) yield a pure sweet flavor and you can definitely notice the difference between shou produced from old growth material versus young bushes. The community of microorganisms used by the producers has been steadily evolved for nearly 40 years.
This tea elicits deeply mindful states if treated reverently, hence the name Empty Mirror. In Zen, the metaphor of the empty mirror highlights the importance of no-mind (mushin). This refers to a state of mind that is free from thoughts, emotions, and ego-clinging, allowing for direct, unmediated experience of reality. For deeper reflections on meditation and tea, consider Living Tea’s Ritual Kit, which deeply explores tea ceremony as mindfulness practice along with meditation guidance.
From the Autumn 2025 Seasonal Tea Club
Ancient Tree Gongting Shou Puerh– 2025
Lincang, Yunnan, China
Did you know?
Benefits of Puerh Tea
For thousands of years, Puerh has been the best multi-functional beverage you've never heard of.
Stress Relief
Puerh tea contains the phyto-chemicals GABA and theanine, which have been attributed to lower stress levels. These phyto-chemicals increase the production of melatonin, which can aid in better sleep and a calmer demeanor throughout the day.
Calm Energy
Thanks to the caffeine in Puerh tea, drinking a cup a day can help to increase your energy levels and focus. Every 8-ounce cup of Puerh contains about 60 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, and the naturally-occurring polyphenols in tea slow the release of caffeine in the body. (Read: No 2pm crash.) Compared to the 105 milligrams in a standard cup of coffee, this makes Puerh a good choice for people who find themselves too jittery after just one cup of coffee.
Increased Immunity
Puerh tea is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and disease-fighting
catechins. Since Puerh is fermented, it has higher concentrations of these antioxidants than non-fermented teas, supporting your body's ability to maintain high levels of immunity and overall well-being.
Reduced Inflammation
Puerh contains high levels of polyphenols (flavonoids, catechins and theaflavin), which are not only known for their antioxidant activity, but their anti-inflammatory properties as well.
Healthy Gut Microbiome
Because Puerh is fermented, it contains probiotics that when consumed regularly, contribute to a balanced and robust gastrointestinal (GI) system. By regularly drinking Puerh tea, you can help maintain healthy flora throughout your digestive system.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will my order ship?
Orders usually ship within 2 business days from the purchase date. However, due to varying order volumes at different times of the year, it may take a longer or shorter amount of time. If you need rush order processing, please contact us at info@livingtea.net. If you do not receive tracking information from us within one week of your order, please reach out to us at info@livingtea.net.
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If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, we offer returns, exchanges, and refunds on a case-by-case basis. Please review our complete returns and refunds policy by product category.
What comes in my shipment?
Your order is carefully packed to ensure safe transportation of your tea and teaware. General brewing instructions are also included to help you make the most delicious cup of tea!
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