2015 Liu An Basket Aged

A traditionally basket-aged Liu An from Qimen County, with roasted grain, mature wood, dried herbs and a clean mineral sweetness developed over a decade of storage.

Tea Profile

Tea Type	Hei Cha (Dark Tea 黑茶)
Style	Liu An Basket Tea 六安篮茶
Origin	Qimen County, Anhui Province, China
Production Date	25 December 2015
Processing	Roasted green tea with natural post-fermentation during ageing
Packaging	Traditional woven bamboo basket
Form	Basket-aged compressed tea; sold by weight

Origin and Character

Liu An differs from the better-known dark teas of Hunan and Yunnan. Its roasted green-tea base continues to transform gradually in storage, traditionally within a woven bamboo basket.

Years of maturation have rounded the roasted character into aged wood, bamboo, dried herbs and soft earth. The tea remains refined and clear, with a mineral sweetness that unfolds steadily rather than forcefully.

Aroma and Flavour

Aroma	Aged wood, toasted grain, dried herbs, bamboo and soft earth
Liquor	Clear amber to deep reddish-brown
Flavour	Roasted warmth, mature wood, minerals and dried herbs
Mouthfeel	Silky, smooth and balanced
Finish	Long, clean and quietly sweet

✦ The Astraluna Perspective ✦

Liu An offers a different path into aged tea. Its roasted foundation remains visible beneath the wood, herbs and mineral sweetness developed through basket storage. We chose it for the clarity of that transformation: time has deepened the tea without erasing where it began. It is a thoughtful bridge between freshness and age, suited to drinkers who enjoy history expressed through texture rather than weight.

Brewing Notes

Method	Leaf	Water	Time
Gongfu	5–6 g per 100–120 ml	100°C	Optional 5-sec rinse; 10 sec, then extend
Western	3–4 g per 250 ml	95–100°C	3–4 min

For a complete method, read How to Brew Hei Cha.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry and odour-free place away from sunlight. Retain the original bamboo basket where practical, handling it carefully as older bamboo can become delicate.