2020 Basket Liu Bao Tea

A 2020 basket-compressed Liu Bao from Wuzhou, offering aged wood, toasted grain, gentle earth and a calm, rounded sweetness.

Tea Profile

Tea Type	Hei Cha (Dark Tea 黑茶)
Style	Liu Bao 六堡茶
Origin	Wuzhou, Guangxi, China
Year	2020
Original Weight	250 g
Compression	Basket-compressed
Packaging	Traditional woven basket
Processing	Post-fermented

Origin and Character

The woven basket is part of Liu Bao’s traditional identity, allowing the compressed leaves to breathe as they continue to settle after production.

This example is gentle rather than forceful. Clean aged wood, dried grain and sweet medicinal herbs develop steadily through the session, supported by a mellow texture and subtle nuttiness.

Aroma and Flavour

Aroma	Clean aged wood, dried grain and gentle herbs
Liquor	Bright amber to deep reddish-brown
Flavour	Aged wood, toasted cereal, forest floor and subtle nuts
Mouthfeel	Silky, rounded and mellow
Finish	Clean sweetness with soft woody and mineral notes

✦ The Astraluna Perspective ✦

This basket Liu Bao is quiet, practical and deeply reassuring. Its wood, grain and gentle herbal notes arrive without drama, creating a steady cup that becomes more comforting as the session continues. We chose it for its unforced character and its connection to traditional basket storage. It is the kind of tea that supports a ritual rather than directing it, leaving space for conversation, reflection or simple stillness.

Brewing Notes

Method	Leaf	Water	Time
Gongfu	6–8 g per 100–120 ml	100°C	Quick rinse; 10 sec, then extend
Western	4–5 g per 300 ml	100°C	3–4 min

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

Storage

Store cool, dry and away from strong odours, with gentle airflow and no direct sunlight. The basket may be retained for continued maturation if the environment is stable.