When my boyfriend went to New York 6 months ago I was very new to the world of puerhs and how to brew any tea but Western style tea. I had a few shu puerhs though and really liked them.
So he picked this up for me as a gift and we were both pretty excited to try it out, but when we brewed it up (typical Western style) it became the most foul and bitter tasting concoction I had ever experienced. I almost threw it away but kept it in my cupboard.
This afternoon I dragged it out. I have no idea if it’s a shu or a sheng. When I used a small leaf to water ratio and a lower water temp this is actually kind of pleasant. It’s definitely on the fruitier side a little bit of smoke and some cinnamon-esque spice. I detect a lot of camphor here, that’s not my favorite flavor in tea but at least I found a way to brew this to make it actually drinkable. I’m glad I didn’t toss it after all! ;-)
Maybe if I keep experimenting the rating will go up!
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Interesting tea…it’s about time Harney finally gets a Pu-erh cake. I think it’s the same one you have. How many grams is it?…..Do you know?? I really like Harney Teas, but I have a couple issues with them. Not enough specific tea brewing info, and not enough selections in certain areas (ie Darjeelings, Assams). They claim to choose teas from the best gardens. OK, I’ll give them that, but I usually want more choice, even if I order teas and miss the mark once in a while.
Maybe it’s only at the store. It’s not on the website
Charles, how do you feel about Harney’s selections?. For being tea experts, they sure do not offer enuff specific tea info.
Well lets put it this way, They have very good tea. I personally will not order from them. When I ordered someone used my credit card number to try to purchase something. This purchase was almost the same time that I had ordered from Harney. Was it them? I would say no. When I emailed them about this they never got back to me. This is very bad customer relations. You can ask Verdant how much tea I buy. It’s Harneys loss not mine. Sorry I rambled. Plus there are too many other vendors out there with superb selections….
I could not find this puerh on the website. We have a few things from Harney but I don’t go ga-ga over them like some people seem to.
The Hao Ya A is very good. Shame I will not get it again from them….
They are two smaller cakes packaged together in a 4 oz tin
Yes….superb selections & customer service. I’ve never had a problem w H & S customer service. Personally, I shop alot at Upton Tea. I dig their Customer Service & selection, Man! CS is great! I will be purchasing from other vendors next year because of reviews on Steepster. I really want to try Pu-erh cakes next year. Any recommendations Charles?? Amy?? Anyone else?? Which companies, etc?
Amy…I’m not really a huge Harney fan either.
Verdant has some awesome cakes. Get a sampler and see what you like. Read the reviews. I personally love Pu’er….
Me too…I can’t wait to try some Green & White Puerh cakes too. :))
Interesting tea…it’s about time Harney finally gets a Pu-erh cake. I think it’s the same one you have. How many grams is it?…..Do you know?? I really like Harney Teas, but I have a couple issues with them. Not enough specific tea brewing info, and not enough selections in certain areas (ie Darjeelings, Assams). They claim to choose teas from the best gardens. OK, I’ll give them that, but I usually want more choice, even if I order teas and miss the mark once in a while.
Maybe it’s only at the store. It’s not on the website
Charles, how do you feel about Harney’s selections?. For being tea experts, they sure do not offer enuff specific tea info.
Well lets put it this way, They have very good tea. I personally will not order from them. When I ordered someone used my credit card number to try to purchase something. This purchase was almost the same time that I had ordered from Harney. Was it them? I would say no. When I emailed them about this they never got back to me. This is very bad customer relations. You can ask Verdant how much tea I buy. It’s Harneys loss not mine. Sorry I rambled. Plus there are too many other vendors out there with superb selections….
I could not find this puerh on the website. We have a few things from Harney but I don’t go ga-ga over them like some people seem to.
The Hao Ya A is very good. Shame I will not get it again from them….
They are two smaller cakes packaged together in a 4 oz tin
Yes….superb selections & customer service. I’ve never had a problem w H & S customer service. Personally, I shop alot at Upton Tea. I dig their Customer Service & selection, Man! CS is great! I will be purchasing from other vendors next year because of reviews on Steepster. I really want to try Pu-erh cakes next year. Any recommendations Charles?? Amy?? Anyone else?? Which companies, etc?
Amy…I’m not really a huge Harney fan either.
Verdant has some awesome cakes. Get a sampler and see what you like. Read the reviews. I personally love Pu’er….
Me too…I can’t wait to try some Green & White Puerh cakes too. :))