I am drinking this as a sample from the Puerh for Beginners TTB. I have been slow on trying the raw puerh’s from that box because of my stomach (Ulcerative Colitis) being in a rough spot over most of the winter and spring. But now, I am currently in a remission period so I am able to venture out into raws a little more.
I put my 4g sample into my 100 ml gaiwan but didn’t fill it up all the way due to a smaller amount of tea available. Set my kettle for 190F.
One rinse of about 5 seconds followed by a first steep of 15 seconds. Light straw color. Very light flavor… can’t quite place it yet as it seems a bit thin. Something is there though. Maybe a stone fruit note.
2nd steep, 15 seconds. Same color. Noticing a slight sweet note right along side an undertone of bitter. But not much. Almost not noticeable if you weren’t looking for it. I got a little drying effect as well. But there is a lingering sweetness after drinking.
3rd steep, 20 seconds. I think next steep I am going to make a steep jump in steep time. I keep getting a very similar flavor and mouth coating. It is not a bad thing but just fairly light and underhanded. Perhaps I am used to ripe and black tea with the over handed in your face flavor and this is just how raw puerh is supposed to be?
4th steep, 30 seconds. I am getting a little bit of a fruity floral after taste on this one though. It is pleasant.
I’m stepping away for a while now. There might be a slight stomach tinge that I am going to keep an eye on. Plus, I have things to go and do currently :)
To be continued!
Flavors: Bitter, Drying, Floral, Stonefruit, Sweet
Yeah… unfortunately my stomach didn’t react great. Hard to say if it was due to the tea or other factors though. Could be coincidental I suppose.