1997 imperial Shou Puerh

For whatever reason, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Pu-erh – but I often wish that some tea or person would come around and change that opinion for me.

This tea tastes nice, but only in the way that you would call a person who has no other defining traits ‘nice’. It does have that classic dirty, woody, pu-erh flavor that I actually do enjoy, but it lacks any sort of bitterness or astringency, which I feel that I need in order to to truly enjoy my cup. Pu-erh connoisseurs would doubtless taste more complexity in this well-rounded tea, so don’t take my rating seriously when deciding whether to purchase.

After drinking my first few Puerh teas, I now know why flowers love rich healthy soil.

Of the dirt people! This tea smells of soil, peat, damp wood, and all smells alike. And who doesn’t like the smell of peat? It’s like brewing a rich garden in your cup…………… all winter. I’m not sure how to describe the taste, I mean, it doesn’t taste like peat, but then again I’ve never steeped peat in nigh boiling water and drank the infusion? hm…

In any case, the steep time is short and I’ll be getting at least 10 steeps in my 5oz guywan cup/gaiwan cup.

Good times!