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It’s no secret that I’m a Puerh loving woman!
There is something about Puerh that takes me to a place so far beyond myself and expands my vision. Yes it’s tea, but there is a bond with the earth that is mystical.
Ever changing and without end.

This tea was interesting to look at. Pressed into quarter sized coins and simply beautiful. It smelled promising making me remember being a child playing in the mud and making canals for small handmade wooden boats in my backyard. I chewed on sour grass.

After 1 quick wash I did a 1 minute steep in my clay gaiwan. The Puerh Coin had remained pretty solid and the liquor brownish and mild tasting. Not bad tasting, spicy like cinnamon bark and sweet. I was not overly impressed.

The second steep on would be…10 seconds!

What a color change! The liquor would never be brown again! Such a beautiful auburn color that little more red tone and it could be mistaken for a Sangiovese!
The flavor was richer and had more pepper than at first. My lips tingled…my mouth tingled with the spice and then it drifted away before hitting the back of my palate.
Later the flavor changed to a sour, french roast coffee bean taste. The tannin increased. This was not something I cared for.

By the 4th infusion a mellow comforting sensibility began still with sweet flavor and juice but astringent. There was a little earth, a little pepper.

I thought about how Puerh makes me think about the earth in so many ways. By earth I mean the ground itself! How the dirt or mud smells. Shivering on a riverbank wrapped in a towel. The taste of dirt and melting M&M’s in my hands as a kid. Boots and puddles.
The scene in A River Runs Through It…and expansive beauty!

By infusion 5…the Puerh had become really delicious. A fine creation somewhat like building a thatched home and moving in. All is right and comfortable. The flavor was smooth and sweet. The pepper and spice and juice and earth had harmoniously blended into a oneness. It was worth it to come to this place and I can’t imagine stopping short of this part of the journey.

I am sure that I have more steepings to go. The liquor has not weakened.

Mercuryhime

Poetically written. :) I think you picked up a lot more notes than I did, but I am a mere novice in puerhs. I agree that the first few infusions leave something to be desired. Perhaps we should think of it as a rinse. Puerh lasts too many steeps to worry about wasting an inferior cupful or two.

Bonnie

Solidly put. I’ve been drinking at least….40oz or so already. It’s still going strong enough to taste good and not watery. I should have a Pu-erh bar like in the Wild West! All dirt and dust don’t you think? The steeps would last through many hands of poker! LS and Whiskey too!

jason

Deal me in!

ScottTeaMan

I’m sure I’ve posted this before, but if you haven’t heard already Winston Churchill used to put whiskey in his LS.

ScottTeaMan

Which I will try should Bonnie send some samples my way!

Butiki Teas

Bonnie, your description totally brought me back to my childhood. My grandfather’s house had a huge lake in front of it and the lake emptied to a creek. My brother and I would play in the creek and get all muddy. I think I will now forever associate puerh with those childhood experiences. I agree the first infusion is not quite right. I was having difficulty finding a time that would get the first infusion correct. I tried even 2 minutes, but even then it is not enough so I decided on 1 minute. I love this puerh from the third infusion on, I just wish I could figure out how to make the first infusion just as great.

Bonnie

I wouldn’t worry about it. It is what it is. Maybe a second wash is what I’m thinking. You didn’t say to wash it…and I did that but it should have had a second one I think. Then, maybe it would have opened up earlier. What do I know though. I love the unique shapes you find in the tea offered. Like Butiki “Designer” tea!

Bonnie

Scott…I worked on getting your samples ready today and will mail them off tomorrow. I thought people drank Whiskey alongside the LS! And smoked cigars!~ (that’s smoke)

Butiki Teas

Hmmm, a second wash might be helpful. I’m going to give that a shot and see if it helps.

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Comments

Mercuryhime

Poetically written. :) I think you picked up a lot more notes than I did, but I am a mere novice in puerhs. I agree that the first few infusions leave something to be desired. Perhaps we should think of it as a rinse. Puerh lasts too many steeps to worry about wasting an inferior cupful or two.

Bonnie

Solidly put. I’ve been drinking at least….40oz or so already. It’s still going strong enough to taste good and not watery. I should have a Pu-erh bar like in the Wild West! All dirt and dust don’t you think? The steeps would last through many hands of poker! LS and Whiskey too!

jason

Deal me in!

ScottTeaMan

I’m sure I’ve posted this before, but if you haven’t heard already Winston Churchill used to put whiskey in his LS.

ScottTeaMan

Which I will try should Bonnie send some samples my way!

Butiki Teas

Bonnie, your description totally brought me back to my childhood. My grandfather’s house had a huge lake in front of it and the lake emptied to a creek. My brother and I would play in the creek and get all muddy. I think I will now forever associate puerh with those childhood experiences. I agree the first infusion is not quite right. I was having difficulty finding a time that would get the first infusion correct. I tried even 2 minutes, but even then it is not enough so I decided on 1 minute. I love this puerh from the third infusion on, I just wish I could figure out how to make the first infusion just as great.

Bonnie

I wouldn’t worry about it. It is what it is. Maybe a second wash is what I’m thinking. You didn’t say to wash it…and I did that but it should have had a second one I think. Then, maybe it would have opened up earlier. What do I know though. I love the unique shapes you find in the tea offered. Like Butiki “Designer” tea!

Bonnie

Scott…I worked on getting your samples ready today and will mail them off tomorrow. I thought people drank Whiskey alongside the LS! And smoked cigars!~ (that’s smoke)

Butiki Teas

Hmmm, a second wash might be helpful. I’m going to give that a shot and see if it helps.

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Bio

Colorado Grandma 73 3/4 as of January 2022

Grandmother to 10. (we all drink tea!)
I began teatime in the Summer when my children were little. We took a break from play for tea and snacks every day. My children loved tea time.
There are several tea houses close to my home and a Tea Festival in Boulder. Fort Collins/Loveland is a bit of a foodie area. We are famous for breweries (Fat Tire is one brand).
Rocky Mountain National Park is 40 minutes away.
Our climate is semi-arid with LOTS OF SUN AT 5000 feet. (Heavy Winter snows start in higher elevations). Lived my until 2010 in Northern California.
I am very involved in my local Greek Orthodox Church. Recently I ignited a group for racial reconciliation.
I suffer from Migraines and Light sensitivity.
My family is Bi-racial (African-American, Scots) and Bi-cultural.
I’ve worked at a Winery, was a computer tech, been Athlete and Coach, Vista Volunteer. Love healthy food! Love travel and have been to Scotland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Peru, Croatia, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska.

Location

Loveland, Colorado

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