Received this little (7 grams) brick in redditgifts from Belarus. Now, it ´s time to check, if it is good, or bad.
Wrapping says, in traslation just, Top Pu-erh, 2003.
I did not wanted to make rinse, but made it. 15 seconds, maybe closer to 20. The rinse woke up all the aromas of wet rocks, earthy flavours, very mineral. I let it sip my brother and he claims it smells and tastes like something from old cottages. Maybe bit of tar, he says.
First steep is completely opaque dark brown, rather bit like black. I have oversteeped it?
It was just 20 seconds! Taste is quite drying, but actually same as aromas. Bleh, last sip was with lots of dirt.
Second steep…
I just looked into gaiwan before filling it with water. It looks quite dusty, small leaves, pieces of branches. Anyway, water in, lid on. 20 seconds. Aromas are weaker, taste milder. I like it. But still same, just not so drying.
Third;
25 seconds.
Same as second I guess. Maybe little bit more mineral.
Fourth brew:
30 seconds,
Apparently this tea is slowly over. I think one more steep. Or maybe it is just because I don´t enjoy those steeps at all. Too mineral for me, too earthy. This steep is more over muddy. Nah, I think it is over for me. It it getting more clear though. Now I feel even something cooling. Dunno, it is like mints.
Another steep, fifth – about 40+ seconds
still very dusty. Clear liquor though. More to red. It is just same as fourth. Completely same. It is just getting weaker every steep.
That´s it I guess. I probably will do more steeps, but if they don´t change flavour at all, I think – I won´t update it.
I made about two more steeps. It remained really same and taste was more or less dirty or muddy.