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2008 Gold Brick Pu-erh from Xing Hai Tea Factory Menghai

Steepster Score 1 Rating Rate This Tea

80/100

2008 Gold Brick Pu-erh

Pu-erh Tea by Xing Hai Tea Factory Menghai

250 g brick

6 Tasting Notes

Amy oh
96
Amy oh 6 tasting notes

I can’t seem to find a picture of this on the internet anywhere – sorry

My guy was very excited when he discovered a new tea shop in his neighborhood recently We popped on over there this afternoon and discovered this. A shu pu-erh tea brick from the Xinghai Tea factory, the Label says Gold Brick. The back of the box says 1998.

The lady who gave us this tasting was very energetic and enthusiastic about the world of tea. We also tried a Chinese green tea that was very flavorful. I did take good mental notes on how she brewed this stuff, very gently. It’s a very sweet, dark red creamy cup. Probably one of the sweeter pu-erhs I have had. It does smell a tad fishy/mushroomy etc but tastes like cherries, vanilla and honey. Redwood trees and bark. When we took this brick home I brewed some up in the Tetsubin. This is another disaster when steeped for too long and a little bit can make a huge difference. I tried it for two minutes and the result was a bitter, thickish mess that I had to throw out. I would suggest one minute or less for the first steep and nice little short infusions for 30 -45 seconds after that seem to be doing the trick very well here. A delicious tea perfect for drinking now. yummmy.

I will try to save some for the future too.

Hoping this pu-erh will be a nice after Thanksgiving tea to detox from all of those goodies! I am taking a cue from Bonnie and made my infusions really strong and am drinking them like a latte with soymilk. yummy!

I am drinking this again today. It really is one of the best shus I have had. I think pu-erhs are so specific to the individual that is drinking them. I upped the rating a point. I was feeling guilty for spending $25 on the brick but that will last a while and I really like it, so whatever. I am lucky to live in a place that has so many tea shops.

I’ve become a little obsessed with pu-erh lately and spend way too much time looking at pictures of beengs and bricks on the internet. I need to drink more of what I have before getting more :)

In any case I discovered the best steeping time for this brick is 195 F for around 60 seconds. see my previous notes… still love it

I accidentally let this steep for too long, it went to 2 minutes or more. Now it is very strong! Reminds me a bit of coffee, dark, robust but still drinkable. Smells awesome and is very woodsy but a tad bit too strong for me here. Good lesson learned – do not oversteep pu-erh! :)

My nice handmade evening chai type of drink tonight is a cup of with a cardamom pod, vanilla bourbon extract and soymilk. Mmmm, shou pu-erh chai, I think I love this! Delicious!

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