Year: 2026 spring
Weight: 10 grams sample and 200 grams bing
Country of origin: China, Yunnan province, Xishuangbanna

Yibang Mao Er Duo – Ancient Tree Sheng Puerh

Among all the legendary teas of Yibang, few possess the quiet mystique of Yibang Mao Er Duo (倚邦猫耳朵). Unlike famous villages or celebrated mountain names, Mao Er Duo is defined not by geography but by a remarkable natural mutation found within Yibang’s ancient tea trees. Its tiny paired leaves resemble the ears of a cat, giving this rare tea its poetic name.

The finest examples originate from Yibang’s ancient tea forests, an area historically renowned as one of the birthplaces of imperial tribute tea during the Qing Dynasty. Unlike most of Yunnan, where large-leaf tea trees dominate, Yibang has long been known for its unique population of small- and medium-leaf ancient trees. Within this already exceptional genetic population, only a very small percentage develop the distinctive “Cat Ear” leaf form, making authentic Mao Er Duo one of the rarest expressions of Yibang.

Interestingly, the tiny leaves alone do not define the tea. Even on the same ancient tree, rounded “cat ear” leaves may grow alongside ordinary pointed leaves. For this reason, experienced producers judge Mao Er Duo not by appearance but by what ultimately matters most—its character in the cup.

A Blend Refined Over Nine Years

For this year’s production, Mr. BigRiver selected leaves from two ancient tea gardens. One receives the gentle morning sun, while the other faces the warmer afternoon light. Although both belong to the same Mao Er Duo tradition, each contributes something different.

Together they create a tea of greater harmony, combining richer flavour, deeper sweetness and a more complete expression than either garden could offer alone. The result remains unmistakably elegant, yet carries slightly more structure and inner strength—softness supported by quiet determination. It is an approach Mr. BigRiver has gradually refined over the past nine years, allowing him to produce only a few dozen cakes while preserving both authenticity and reasonable value.

A Tea That Rewards Patience

Like many truly exceptional ancient tree teas, Mao Er Duo reveals very little at first. Even the rinse seems almost empty, inviting patience rather than immediate excitement. Then, almost unnoticed, the tea begins to unfold. A beautiful returning sweetness slowly appears, accompanied by countless subtle flavours that continue to evolve long after the cup is empty.

The second infusion is remarkably soft, almost weightless. Crystal-clear sweetness flows effortlessly across the palate, balanced by a gentle echo of bitterness that never dominates but instead gives the tea perfect definition. Rather than demanding attention, the tea quietly encourages a calm and focused state of mind.

By the third infusion, its true character emerges. The liquor gains impressive density while remaining astonishingly elegant, becoming more of a rich tea broth than a simple infusion. Every flavour seems perfectly balanced—none louder than the others—like a carefully tended forest where every element exists in harmony. A vibrant minerality begins to appear, giving the tea both depth and remarkable clarity.

As the session continues, the aroma remains strikingly vivid. Even after seven infusions the fragrance rising from the cup is as expressive as at the beginning. Around the eighth and ninth brews, the tea reaches another level of concentration. Although prepared with only four grams of leaves in a seventy-millilitre vessel, the richness feels comparable to a much heavier infusion, without ever becoming overwhelming.

Throughout the session, the tea displays exceptional Huigan and abundant Shengjin, leaving the mouth continuously refreshed. A delicate vibration of Qi gradually appears on the tip of the tongue before gently spreading through the body, bringing a quiet sense of clarity rather than overwhelming intensity.