pu-erh of the day. Sheng or Shou

Yunnan Sourcing 2012 Chen Xiang Aged Raw, it’s good, lightly smokey and minty, really great iced too. It’s a touch dry and a bit rough from being the bottom of the sample bag crumbs, but still good, at $29/400g it doesn’t seem like the best value, but i think it’s interesting enough I’ll order a cake today, It’s a good contrast to the other cheap YS raws i tried so far, which were bland and boring.

Errr… wow…. I just want to say thank you for all the love to Mandala Tea on this thread. Goodness gracious, it pleases me to no end to think that our humble effort born in 2005 has grown so much thanks, in large part, to so many of you. I’m a little verklempt… talk amongst yourselves. Grateful, Garret

Special Dark from Mandala again. I did a 5 minute steep. When I say a chocolate kick in the face, I mean it. I am tempted to use this tea in my chocolate cake recipe….but I don’t want to waste leaves by baking. I’m a bit selfish.

Pu of the day for me was Old Comrades 2006 (brick) I bought last year from Verdant and took to share with my tea friends at Happy Lucky’s today. First taste was so smooth, slightly sweet and not overly woodsy…very flavorful though. Chipped off a bag for the guys to keep behind the teabar for personal sipping when the shop has a lull (around closing or in the morning).
As soon as I got home, I made a big pot of PU for myself! Lovely!

I’ve mostly been hitting the 2005 Xiaguan ‘Tibetan Flame’ sheng lately. It works really well made grandpa style in a small flask with a Yixing clay liner that a good friend gave me, so I an easily able to take it out on my perambulations, stopping only to top up the flask every so often. The tea itself is a sheng for ordinary people. It’s cheap, rough around the edges, perhaps a little common but I love it. Reading this thread, I can see that I am going to have to rummage through my pu box and dig out some of the others to drink again.

2012 Yunnan Sourcing “Ye Sheng Cha” Wild Tree Purple Tea of Dehong has been the tea for past few days. Great quality leaves that produces a very tasty,bright brew. I love the tanginess, along with only a small amount of good astringency. The liquid is full and thick, despite its lighter appearance (gongfu steeping). There is a very noticeable, slow warming to the body as you sip the first couple (small) cups. It gradually builds to a very intoxicating and calming feeling. Makes me love wild (and arbor) tea even more. Only some of the higher grade Japanese green teas can come close to the sensation of a wild tea. IMHO

Currently sipping the last of my Noble Mark loose from Mandala. I may just have to strike my first review from the record because I was so wrong. It’s a gentle tea. Kind of creamy with a buttery note. I am also getting some berries. I am so happy I have a cake because I am going to want more.

I’m working on a shou tuocha tonight. I typically enjoy shu, but this one isn’t all that special. I don’t think I’ve had a sheng before so that is next on my shopping list.

I started with Sichuan Caravan this afternoon, a blend that features Yangxin’s Reserve ‘04 Nuggets, along with a perfect balance of Ginger, licorice root, elderberry, & other awesome stuff. I sipped on that until it was time to go play a gig (Tea party at a nursing home. I’ve been playing this gig your years).

After dinner I started sipping multiple infusions of Xingyang’s Golden Buds 2010 Shu. I hosted a 3 hour rehearsal (Harp, Bass, & Flute) for a wedding the 3 of us will play together. Now I’m sipping a few more cups of the Golden Buds before bed. A nice way to end the day. :)

When ever I have “one of those” days, I always come home and reach for pu’erh. Tonight I got home and found an amazing mystery swap box (from the wonderful scribbles) outside my door. Getting new tea always lifts my spirits and finding a box with a new pu’erh lifts them even more.
I’m drinking He Kai Ancient Organic Pu’erh Tea by Tao Tea Leaf – http://steepster.com/teas/tao-tea-leaf/37892-he-kai-ancient-organic-puerh. No idea, it’s a shu mini-tuocha. Scribbles had written on the lable “heavy and expresso like”. I thought, PERFECT, that’s what I want tonight.
I’ve just gotten started with it, but so far so good. It’s smooth, not harsh, but it’s dark and robust – maybe a little in your face I’m a pu’erh. I’m really liking it so far. Will post proper tasting note once I’ve had a few more steeps.