Video: Unwrapping and breaking down.

This 2003 raw puerh tea cake was produced by ChangTai Tea Factory (昌泰茶厂) under the “Chang Tai Hao” brand. The specific version—commonly referred to by collectors as “Wu Tiao Ma + Wu Tian Shu” (No Barcode + No Stamp)—is one of the earliest and rarest batches from the “Ban Na” series, widely known among connoisseurs as part of the so-called “Zong Chang Tai” (Brown Chang Tai) group due to the brown-style printing on its wrapper.

Background

Following the success of the 1999 “Yi Chang Hao”, ChangTai launched the “Chang Tai Hao” line starting in 2000, aiming to provide high-quality yet approachable puerh teas modeled after the traditional Dayi 7542 formula. The Ban Na series marked a continuation of this effort, but with upgraded materials and more precise blending.

About This Version

This particular version (No Barcode + No Stamp) is the earliest and rarest batch of the Ban Na series. It is characterized by:

• No Barcode on the wrapper (Wu Tiao Ma 无条码)

• No Seal Stamp (“Wu Tian Shu” 无天书) on the inner ticket (Nei Fei), meaning it lacks the red imprinted seal or unreadable calligraphic script seen in later batches.

• A clean and simple wrapper with deep brown characters, hence the nickname “Zong Chang Tai”.

Because of its purity and early production, this version is highly sought-after by seasoned collectors.

Material & Craft

• Origin: Selected large-leaf arbor tea from the Banna region (including Menghai and Jinghong areas)

• Leaf Grade: A mix of young buds and mature leaves, tightly rolled with clear stripes

• Compression: Moderately tight stone-pressed cake

• Weight: 400g per cake

 Tasting Notes

After over 20 years of natural aging, this tea has developed a smooth, refined character:

• Liquor: Bright amber to deep orange

• Aroma: Aged wood, camphor, and faint herbal sweetness

• Taste: Full-bodied and mellow, with noticeable viscosity; strong hui gan (returning sweetness) and mouth-coating feel

• Energy: Slow-building but lasting tea energy (cha qi), ideal for contemplative sessions

Collectible Value

• Considered one of the “Three Old Chang Tai Legends”, along with the early Yi Chang Hao and early Chang Tai 7542 blends

• A benchmark of mid-aged raw puerh with great aging potential

• Well-preserved cakes show impressive transformation with continued depth and complexity over time

• A great alternative to pricier classics like the 88 Qing or 99 Green Big Tree, while still offering profound aging character

Summary