2023 Mansong Single-Origin Ancient Tree Raw Puerh Tea Ball

Mansong: The Revered Origin of Imperial Tribute Tea

Mansong, an area of exceptional renown for producing tribute tea, belongs to Xiangming Township in Mengla County—part of the historic Six Great Tea Mountains. Among Yibang's local teas, Mansong is considered the finest, as echoed by the saying: "To know Yibang, one must taste Mansong."

Legend has it that during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty, a local official discovered that Mansong tea not only offered outstanding color, aroma, and flavor but also stood upright when brewed. Taking this as an auspicious symbol—"the great Ming empire standing firm"—the official had the tea presented to Emperor Xianzong through a court intermediary. The emperor was so captivated by its taste that he designated Mansong tea as an imperial tribute. 

Further documentation from the *Pu'erh Prefecture Gazetteer* of the Daoguang era records that, starting in the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign (1735), Pu'erh tea procurement was overseen by the local chieftain of Yibang. From then on, Mansong tea from Yibang was designated exclusively for the Ching emperors.

Mansong tea is produced using traditional Yunnan Pu'erh processing methods: sun-withered tea from hand-picked spring leaves, stone-pressed into cakes. Rich in inner substance, the spring tea of each year offers a highly aromatic profile and a deep, mellow, and sweet liquor with enduring charm and intense tea energy (qi). Even a small amount can generate a warming sensation throughout the body—a distinctive feature that sets Mansong apart from all other tea mountains.