I decided I needed to get one of these cakes after seeing Verdant tweet about it. And I almost had a heart attack when I thought mine got lost in the mail but it showed up two days after the USPS said it was delivered.
Anyway on to the tea. I broke this up into a small piece and decided to steep it in the yixing teapot. I usually don’t steep my shengs for too long. I used water that was almost boiling.
First steep: After a quick rinse, I inhale and the wet leaf smells of smoke and woods. The tea got a 30 second or so steeping. Perhaps it is the power of suggestion but I am getting the thick, nutty quality which Verdant describes in their tasting note. This seems to be the top note and the finish is slightly bittersweet with a tobacco like quality that lingers on your tongue and gets fizzy. Nice.
The 2nd steep I did for about 10 seconds. I am also getting the plantain sort of flavor described in the tasting notes. But make no mistake, this is definitely a sheng pu-erh, very assertive and bold. Not as bitter as some younger shengs I have tried, but I would recommend keeping your steeping times short.
I am no experts on sheng but I’m enjoying the flavors of this one a lot. It should be really interesting to see how this ages over time…
A nice offering from Verdant, thank you for sharing with us David.
Preparation
Comments
So, how much did you use? I had some trouble the first time with too little leaf, the second time I used more and increased the time. You did the opposite so I’m guessing you piled on more leaf.
hmmm. I am not sure exactly, about 1 tsb. I am guessing… and I usually don’t steep shengs for too long or they get too bitter for me.
Man, this tea went. David told me he was going to add this tea to the site a week before he did and because I am a college student my time is limited and a week and a half later and what do we have “sold out!” That tea must of been as good as gold. LOL! Thanks Amy for a wonderful review.
I read Davids notes first and he said that this one doesn’t get bitter which is really good and even at 1 minute there wasn’t bitterness. Thanks Amy.
I am so glad that the tea showed up for you Amy! What a relief. @Tea_is_Wisdom: I am working to get in a few more 7 cake tongs of this in my next shipment if possible, so it will likely be back in late autumn / early winter.
So, how much did you use? I had some trouble the first time with too little leaf, the second time I used more and increased the time. You did the opposite so I’m guessing you piled on more leaf.
hmmm. I am not sure exactly, about 1 tsb. I am guessing… and I usually don’t steep shengs for too long or they get too bitter for me.
Man, this tea went. David told me he was going to add this tea to the site a week before he did and because I am a college student my time is limited and a week and a half later and what do we have “sold out!” That tea must of been as good as gold. LOL! Thanks Amy for a wonderful review.
I read Davids notes first and he said that this one doesn’t get bitter which is really good and even at 1 minute there wasn’t bitterness. Thanks Amy.
I am so glad that the tea showed up for you Amy! What a relief. @Tea_is_Wisdom: I am working to get in a few more 7 cake tongs of this in my next shipment if possible, so it will likely be back in late autumn / early winter.
David, I was happy!