As the first tea brewed in my new yixing, this sheng puerh was a wondeful opener. Rather tight build, with small, dense leaves. Opening quickly, it released gentle sweet yellow plum, hot afternoon rain, and camphor. The soup a dense, even clear dark yellow. Further steeps gave a distinct aged and musky golden tobacco, a bit sticky. This tea knows no bitterness. Only intense, wonderful sweetness, despite a rather fine chop. The only downside of this tea is that I thought it gave out a little quickly, becoming a bit thin on the ninth steep. Otherwise, a fresh, juicy cup that is already well-married and will probably age beautifully.
2008 Xiaguan FT "Imperial Tribute" Raw
Pu-erh Tea by Xiaguan Tuocha Co. Ltd.
This is a Xiaguan “Fei Tai FT” production. FT is a business which custom blends and special orders large quantities tea to be pressed in the Xiaguan tea factory. FT teas are intended for export to Taiwan, representing the highest quality Xiaguan teas. This cake is based on the 2005 Yu Shang “Imperial Tribute” 200 gram tuo which was an OEM production ordered by a Kunming tea dealer. Since its 2005 pressing the “Yu Shang” tuo has become one of the most sought after Xiaguan teas and has increased steadily in value. The “Imperial Tribute” cake’s characteristics are heavy pungent cha qi that stay in the mouth for a long-time after drinking. The tea is entirely spring material and kill-green is done with care so the brewed tea liquor is a thick soupy golden yellow color. This tea can be infused 10 to 15 times depending on your brewing parameters. Compression is medium to tight.
