Jasmine Scented Pu-erh Tuocha

1st steep – just as recommended – pre-warmed the cup, rinsed the leaves with the boiling water (maybe 5 seconds?) then dumped that out and infused for 30 seconds in 6 oz boiling water.

It’s a lovely golden yellow color, with just the right amount of jasmine – the jasmine is a whiff of perfume in scent, not a gulp of it down the mouth! The pu-erh gives it a bit of earthy body – more than the other jasmine green teas I’ve had. But there’s no “off” tastes or any of the scary things I was afraid of… I would say this was probably the perfect intro pu-erh for me! I am so glad I took Chicago Tea up on their free sample offer (two touchas!) and and strongly considering ordering the wild orange pu-erh because I am SO intrigued by it!

2nd infusion – 30 sec – I think it’s actually a tad bit darker this time. Scent same. A bit more astringent. The tuocha broke apart completely on this steep.

3rd – 45 sec; used slightly cooler water – less astringent, which allowed the gentle jasmine to come through more. Almost as dark as ever, and not at all “watery” tasting.

4th infusion – 1 min – still a beautiful coppery yellow; but the astringency (though not terrible) is masking the jasmine this time (my water may have been hotter than on #3)

This was a lovely experience which greatly exceeded my expectations! (not to say they were low – more like I was very trepidatious both of pu’erh and of resteeping). Thank you Chicago Tea Garden for a wonderful tea, and such informative steeping/resteeping parameters.

Trying this one as a sample, with my recently purchased Tie Guan Yin. I followed the steeping directions, though I was worried the flavor would be weak after only 30 seconds. It is perfect :) The jasmine is light, just a hint of scent, and not at all overpowering

I just couldn’t get my sample tuocha to work for me. I rinsed the leaves and then played with infusion times for three infusions but it was either very light and dull or bitter. The jasmine was nice and I think this might have potential, so I’m glad I have more to try with. I think I need to try working on my pu-erh appreciation, though. This felt odd and briney when it hit my mouth for the first time. My interest is peaked again, though, and I have a few different pu-erhs to try out.

It’s good, and nothing super special. I had good success putting one tuocha in a pot with boiling water and steeping it until I remember that I have tea steeping (as I often forget). The jasmine is not overpowering at all, which is what I like most. I would recommend it, however CTG is no more…and that’s sad.

Aroma: Peat, cedar, jasmine.

Taste: Jasmine compliments pu-erh very well, it seems. It doesn’t mask the “barnyard” taste that some complain of with pu-erhs (including myself on occasion), but it’s more like it adds an earthy complexity and depth to the flavor of jasmine. Jasmine has a very clean taste, so I think that’s part of the reason that they balance each other well.

Texture: Both smooth and astringent.

Leaves: This tea comes in an tuocha. After a couple of steepings, the leaves detach and unfurl. They are olive in color and appear to be coarsely chopped.

Evaluation: This is my favorite pu-erh. I think that the amount of jasmine scent is right on–neither overpowering nor too subtle. The bronze-colored liquor is very nice.