I think this may be my first-ever straight pu’erh. If not, it’s at least my first sheng. Excited! The Verdant site says that this was picked in 2001, when I was 10… it’s strange to think about.

The dry leaves have a pleasant musty smell that makes me think of venturing into my grandparents’ basement when I was a kid. It’s almost eerie how spot-on it is.
I’m using my gaiwan and after two rinses, the leaves smell amazing. I tried really hard to think of words to describe it, but I can’t. You’re just gonna have to try it yourself, lol.

First steep – Definitely nutty, and there’s something spicy about it too. Something leather-like in the taste. I can’t help but feel calm with this tea. I feel a lot of stress slipping away while I drink it.
2nd – The texture is silky smooth and there’s a surprising sweet aftertaste! I actually did a double take. It takes longer to emerge on some sips.
3rd – The musty-ness is receding slightly and giving way to a clear, light kind of sweetness.
4th – The best steep yet. This is definitely a complex tea and probably one that I’m not really experienced enough to comment on yet… I feel like I’m trying to play a song on guitar and messing up all the notes. It’s amazing though!

I got up to around 12-14 steeps (I lost count). I want to try more pu’erhs after having this! Maybe after experiencing a few more I’ll be able to give better reviews.

Jim Marks

OMG, I was 10 in 1983…

Jim Marks

I got to try a shou from 1978 once. I’d love to find a pu-erh from my birth year as a 40th birthday present to myself next year.

Bonnie

You, by your unwillingness to say words without meaning, have said everything important about your experience with this Pu’er! (I was 10 in 1958) yikes! : (

Charles Thomas Draper

Sheng seem to go on forever….

Spoonvonstup

Happy first sheng! You’re in for some fun now, I reckon.

(10 in ‘97)
If you find a nice pu’er picked this spring, you can pull it out in twenty years and say, “This was picked when I was 21. Can you imagine?”

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Jim Marks

OMG, I was 10 in 1983…

Jim Marks

I got to try a shou from 1978 once. I’d love to find a pu-erh from my birth year as a 40th birthday present to myself next year.

Bonnie

You, by your unwillingness to say words without meaning, have said everything important about your experience with this Pu’er! (I was 10 in 1958) yikes! : (

Charles Thomas Draper

Sheng seem to go on forever….

Spoonvonstup

Happy first sheng! You’re in for some fun now, I reckon.

(10 in ‘97)
If you find a nice pu’er picked this spring, you can pull it out in twenty years and say, “This was picked when I was 21. Can you imagine?”

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University student and relatively new tea convert. It all started several months ago when my mom bought me a tin of The Glow from David’s. Now I want to try ALL THE TEAS.

If you know of any excellent tea places around downtown Toronto, let me know! I’ve found a few but am always looking for more.

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