pu-erh of the day. Sheng or Shou
So I’ve been drinking http://www.teavivre.com/ancient-species-raw-puerh-cake-2012/ all afternoon. It’s only the second sheng I’ve tried. I was kind of iffy for the first four infusions, but after that…. I fell in love, and I’m incredibly disappointed I didn’t have time for more infusions. (I got through 15.)
So what do people recommend I try next??
2012 Ruiyuan NanNuo Old Arbor
Bought a cake of this with my recent White2tea order, based primarily on a very positive review from the half dipper. It is strong, indeed. Very astringent. Nice amber color, and very generous leaves – meaning it gives up lots and lots of infusions. It gets beautifully clear in later steeps. To the extent that bitterness transforms with aging, this seems like an excellent candidate for long term storage. And if you are a fan of bitter teas, like Lao Man E, you will probably like this one, selling for $40 currently.
Back on the Manzhuan 2014, White2Tea that is…finishing up what was a pretty generous sample, still have one more session. I already own a cake of this, but the great thing about sample sizes is that I can drink the tea without breaking into my own cake.
Edit: six steeps later, following a nap and an aspirin. I am 30 years old again!!! Yessir, we are tea drunk over here! Ohh nanny, so glad I bought this cake. Can’t think of anything better, sliding gracefully into old age a tea head. This is the way to go, people, I never regret this habit of mine over worse I could have chosen.
I wanted something earthy and enjoyable this evening, so I brought out Verdant Tea’s Master Han’s shu pu-erh 2002. Using 7.8g in a 195ml yixing teapot brought me back to earth and forest floor. Quite a nice experience.
Using my newly acquired 85 mL 1970s Di Cao Qing Factory 1 teapot to steep a 1996 CNNP (This teapot will be reserved for aged shengs). I personally don’t believe that special clays like Di Cao Qing produce superior teas. I purchased this teapot because of the beautiful patina it has accumulated over the years. Anywho, to the tea. The 1996 CNNP is a pleasure to drink. I’m getting nice notes of spices, woodiness and some fruit… maybe dried fruit? The mouthfeel is nice. Nice hui gan and qi, which is making me sweat after two cups. Wonderfully stored example of sheng.
Yeah I have actually been looking for a pot 70-90 ml range. Age isn’t really the issue, it is the tea. Most of the teas I have are go-ers, 10-30 infusions, so I don’t need to use much leaf.
2006 Hai Lang Hao “Jin Hai Lang” Ripe Pu-erh tea cake of Menghai by Yunnan Sourcing
Starting off my morning with shu in my cup. My wife has coffee in hers.
This is a real keeper. Very smooth, just a touch of astringency, medium fermentation. Not earthy, more dark coffee. Delicious! I’d highly recommend trying this one, ys has samples.
2002 White2tea White Whale
OK, I guess I’m going to be the one to disagree with all the hype about this tea. It is smokey. Really smokey, and stays that way through at least several infusions, after that I couldn’t take anymore. It is certainly a hearty tea, but the smoke is overwhelming. I personally don’t consider this quality good for a Pu erh tea. I did not enjoy this at all. If you like smoke, I’m sure you will.
Me too. I love smoky teas. They put hair on my chest and make me feel like a lumberjack! :) More seriously, I feel they give me a real boost, both mentally and physically.
I hope you don’t mind but I followed you and would love to send you a PM. It seems we share a love of Nordic history. I am married to a Dane and in a graduate history program.
Nothing wrong with going against the hype or opinions of others. Finding teas that you enjoy is a personal thing.
Just like if we all ordered off of a menu at a restaurant, we would all choose different things. And nobody ever likes 100% of the menu. And hell, maybe you hate everything at a restaurant. Hopefully that’s not the case with my site, but who knows!
Also, with the White Whale, I haven’t experienced too much smoke on it, but that can happen if there happens to be a burned leaf or two that make it into your pot. Then again, it could just be that it’s not a tea you like. Nothing wrong with that!
I didn’t get much smoke form it, I did get a lot of aged-wood/tobacco (not lit up leaves) notes from it. But as TwoDog2 said we don’t have to agree on all tastes and preferences. I’ve found that some people here love some of the same teas I do and then we have other favorites that are complete opposites!
Yeah, if suppose my pot or cake could be particularly smokey. Not my cup of tea! But others seem to love it!
Just had this tea today. I didn’t get much smoke from it… rather that sort of semi-aged funky aroma from it. The nose is sort of offsetting… but the tea is nice in the mouth. Nice mouthfeel. Enjoyed it.
That’s what I got too. That old wooden house that needs to get portions replaced scent. lol.
EDIT I liked the taste too. I like that it has some thickness to it.
Still steeping the same white whale leaves from yesterday. Close to 12 steeps now and still going strong.
Bruised and beat up by a young gal of a sheng, 2014 Amerykah raw by White2Tea. She is intense. I am sure she is illegal. Oof. This tea is one for aging, not for drinking. She is jailbait and you’ve been warned.
It is indeed strong and bitter, but even still it is not nearly as bitter as the 2013 Amerykah!
I read that on the description. Glad I have this cake…but I will b drinking a shou or roasted dark tea tomorrow!
Sounds like an interesting experience. I have this one scheduled for next week, as long as my sheng binge continues and I don’t get distracted by something else.
Anyone have recommendations on the shou pu-erhs from Crimson Lotus? (http://crimsonlotustea.com/) I know Cwyn has tried at least one of their teas, and I’m interested in trying a few. Thanks,
I tried the 2008 Bulang shu and it was good.
This would be my favorite:
http://crimsonlotustea.com/products/2012-bulang-gushu-ancient-tree-shou-ripe-puerh-sample-25-grams
I had the Bulang shou in a nice huge sample they sent me, but I mailed it off to my sister who is suffering a parasite she picked up someplace in Asia over the winter. I chose it to mail her because I know Crimson Lotus shou are extremely clean cakes with no storage issues that could upset her tummy further.
I just put an order in with Crimson Lotus tea. I saw they are as big a shou head as me. I think I will like what I have ordered from them.
A few months ago I picked up the ripe version of the 2005 CNNP 1938 Anniversary cake from Yunnan Sourcing. Opened it up for the first time yesterday and I must say that I am quite pleased with this tea. The leaf brews a smooth soup and returns a thick mouth-feel with a quick sweet, earthy aftertaste. Overall, this tea offers a tasty, sweet, dark brew with a little spiciness and is a solid choice for everyday enjoyment.
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