Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh

In the forest where this tea grows, tea trees form an under-canopy beneath towering bamboo, kutamero (laurel) and other trees. The healthy, happy forest floor teems with life. This tea is like the forest: soft and beautiful yet without the loss of wildness. The pristine natural environment allows the plants to flourish without the use of chemicals. The experience of this tea speaks to the harmony of a balanced ecosystem: lively and bright with strength and deep roots underneath.

Our guide and his family, members of the Hani tribe in southern Yunnan, have been tending these trees for generations. They harvest the leaves, sort them, and process them into raw Pu-erh, all on site. He considers himself a farmer - he doesn't market a product or sell to consumers. After tasting his 2026 teas, we bought out his entire supply. We are happy to share this tea exclusively with Bana and Callisto customers.

As a "young" tea, it retains fresh and savory qualities, especially in the early brews. In later brews, the toasted chestnut notes fade and a honey-sweetness comes through. Smooth, silky and light, the tea is still full bodied and satisfying. We are excited to continue drinking this tea year after year, and witnessing it's development.

This tea comes in a 100 gram compressed tea cake. The fresh new leaves are loosely pressed, so it can be broken by hand, or you can use a tea pick (or even a butter knife). Insert the knife into the outer edge of the cake and gently pry back and forth to loosen the leaves. If you're new to Pu-erh, or not ready for a full cake, we also offer 50 gram bags of already broken down leaves.