2013 Zenpuer 1307 Menghai Ripe Pu-erh Tea Brick 250g

This has to be the most unique tasting puerh that I have yet to encounter. It is much lighter and a bit more sweet than mellow. I am not sure if I’d agree with the vendor description of calling it honey like but at the same time I can not think of any better term to describe it. A very good puerh that I like for when I want something different.

The wonderful thing about puerh is the amazing potential for change. I hadn’t taken this brick out for 9 months. The dry leaf is large and thin and somewhat “wet” although stored with the rest of my teas that are all fairly dry. The leaf comes off the brick in thin layers. The brew is thick and red and still quite unique but now the complex aroma is reflected in the taste – wet leaf, slightly cinnamony, dried fruit, nutmeg … or is it allspice, bark but all very subtle and integrated.

The amazing aspect of puerh is how often patience is surprisingly rewarded. It’s difficult to recommend (or not) or rate such a unique tea; so I’ll refrain from doing so – I’ll leave it to the adventuresome lovers of shu pu to decide.

Below, my original tasting note:

The brewed tea smells rather odd and the closest I can get to describing it is – grass and raw acorn squash. Although I love acorn squash, I don’t expect ripe puerh to smell like it. There are some other more pleasant spicy aromas and mouth sensation after the 3rd or 4th steep but unfortunately, not coming through in the taste. One thing I can say about it, you can brew the hell out of it and it is still very smooth. I might have to experiment a bit more with it… less water, more brewing time?

This reminds me of a good quality Dayi ripe. A similar flavor. It is medium fermented, tasty, no off flavors, just a hint of bitterness. Easy to drink. Good stuff, my wife said it is one of her favorite ripes.