Each cake of this tea is well preserved and the leaves are clean and dry. It is amazing that after all these years the tea still tastes clean and crisp. This tea is uplifting and invigorating and is a real pleasure. Using 5-7 grams per serving really makes all the hidden flavors pop. The leaves turn a deep black brown and when steeped really show their age well. It is said that this tea was processed in a way that preserves it's antioxidants. Made when all the Pu-erh processes were proprietary and kept secret within each family. Can be steeped many times. About 250 grams per beeng.