pu-erh of the day. Sheng or Shou

I’m enjoying 2007 Mengku “Gifting Raw” from Mandala this morning. I wanted a tea to give me a good energy buzz for the day since I’ve got a busy afternoon planned. This one definitely does have that good buzz. It’s a bit strong for me though. First infusions were really strong mushroom, earthy, some smoke. Later steeps not so much and the stone fruit flavour comes through a little more. I think I used too much tea for my tastes (10g). I like my teas on the lighter side. I’m finished with this for today but think I will only take half of those leaves tomorrow and see if I like it better.

I’ve tried Pu erh only once, but I enjoyed it very much. My friends treated me with unusual for me ‘tea cake’, that they bought on http://www.tea-and-coffee.com/
It’s highly compacted tea leaves, that looks like a little cake. And it was cute, deep and tasty. Do someone have such experience?

Langhe 7599— I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with some type of corny Tommy Tutone tribute that only you guys would get. Anyway, this is a sample from a Chinese supplier who didn’t bother including the year. Yet another fabulous Langhe shu, with a milk chocolate, cocoa taste. Many fellow tasters mention a dark chocolate character of particular shu. This one is milk chocolate. Like hot cocoa. Smooth, no bitter, or rankness; no basement taste or earthiness; just sweet hot cocoa.

I’m drinking a 2008 Nan Jian Tu Lin Shou, recipe 903. Not too shabby…but not blowing my mind either. Simple sipping shou :-)

Finishing up the remains of a 2000 shu from yesterday before I head into a heavy day of taste testing. On the playbill today:

2003 Shu Cake
2002 Shu Brick
2008 Mini Shu Cake
2007 Qian Jia Zhai Raw

More shu than I normally drink in a day, but with the cold weather, it seems like a good choice.

Inspired by boychik, I’m having the White2Tea 2000 Chocolate Mini Shu. It’s nice and sweet, some damp earth and a little cooling bit at the end. Nice, easy drinking sweet little shoo

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Ambitious tea tasting day. I have an absolute assload of samples from two places I’m planning on ordering from for BF/CM sales – White2 and Yunnan Sourcing – so I’m going through these bad boys and will likely end up in floor, tea drunk with nothing else accomplished.
After grounding myself with some shou – I’ve moved on to the sheng.

Right now I’m enjoying Giant Steps from White2, which I could have waited on as it is no longer gettable.

i started White2Tea 2000 Chocolate Mini shu last night. This is a surprise tea for sure. i was pretty sure that 2000 shu should be very mellow. This tea is opposite of my expectations. i love it for being different. Need more….

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Drinking the 2014 Yesheng Qiaomu (Mengsong) from the White2Tea Club. A nice little tea. I can feel the caffine! A good break from all the ripe and mature pu’erh I’ve been drinking for the past couple months.

2012 Pulang, from Jalam teas.

This is an appealing & potent Sheng, a little tangy, a little incense-like, a tad of bitterness, & excellent energy! It carries a somewhat resinous sensation & taste, reminding me of my hash smoking days.