Threw this sample in with my order of Hawaii-grown black just because it sounded good, and maybe to help defeat a bias I have against orange flavoring in tea. Fortunately the sample size is generous, if pricey, so I should be able to get quite a few steeps out of it.
I don’t usually rinse pu-erhs before steeping, but did this time because of the specific recommendation to do so on the sample pack. I figure if they’ve gone to the trouble of recommending it as the best way to enjoy their tea, I should probably try it. The first steep went for four minutes and ended up really, really dark. I was afraid it would be too far gone to be enjoyable, but it was actually quite delicious. Not at all bitter, just a little astringent, and the orange is strongly present without being acrid. There’s not too much of the typical earthy pu-erh taste in the foreground; it’s more a weight than a flavor.
2nd steep, four minutes. Just as flavorful this time around. The orange leaves a little bit of a tingle in the mouth. I’m enjoying this tea quite a bit and would consider buying it in a larger quantity.
I’ve definitely got to try this!
I’ve now had a couple more steeps and it’s still going strong…