za-hi said

what to look for in a pu-erh?

i’m an oolong fan, however i want to get into pu-erh. i have no idea where to start, what to taste, or how to brew it (i brew my oolong in a gaiwan). i bought a loose leaf pu-erh from rishi, but i have no idea if it’s good or mediocre. i’m pretty sure i added the wrong amount of leaf and steeped it incorrectly. i know i’m rambling, but it’s one of those experiences that can’t be explained.

to all the pu-erh pros, patience is a virtue with this one. ;)

5 Replies
Javan said

You don’t have to go far for info! Take a look at the thread: “pu-erh of the day. Sheng or Shou” in Steepster discussions, and see if any of the descriptions appeal to you. There are suggestions for steeping as well. Puerh is easily steeped in a gaiwan, and it takes about 5-6 grams per cup, and can be re-steeped numerous times (8 or more generally). The first steep is generally poured out as it is simply for awakening the tea, and it is of short duration. Some folks do the steeping by adding 5 seconds to each steep (2nd – 5 seconds, third – 10 seconds, etc). Other people start with longer steeping times (like 30 seconds) and add time for each re-brew. Generally puerh comes in two forms – green or sheng puerh which has more grassy, greener, and astringent notes when young, but matures over time into complex, aromatic fragrances and tastes, and cooked or shu puerh which has been allowed to ferment, and produces earthier, fuller taste off the bat, and can also mature into a very mellow relaxing full tasting beverage. Best bet is to try different ones and see what you like. Many tea companies will sell samples to try so you can see what you like. Good luck with your exploration. Keep us informed about what you find in the above mentioned thread.

mrmopar said

+1 also check sellers like Yunnan sourcing, Mandala,Puerh shop in the states for samples. You can also check Berylleb king tea and Dragon teahouse on Ebay as they all sell samples.

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sansnipple said

I would’t get puerh from vendors that aren’t at least somewhat puerh-specialized, you’re likely to end up getting ripped off for what began as terribly inferior junk that’s then been turned fishy or moldy by improper storage. The good news is that Yunnan sourcing, Mandala, etc, also sell some really great greens/blacks/oolongs too though.

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za-hi said

thanks for the info!

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Peter said

You can also get nice results with a Yixing clay teapot. If you see it as a quest, as in, what do I look for in a good Pu Erh tea, it will bring you places. I must say, it can become a very adventurous and spiritual road. So close your eyes, while tasting, listen to your body and you’ll see.

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