Final sample from Angel and Teavivre. I’m a beginner at Pu-erh, and a nobody when it comes to Raw Pu’erh. This will be the first one I’ve ever, ever tried. I’ve heard good things, though, so I’m actually pretty excited to dive straight in.
Fresh from the packet, the dry leaves smell of apricot and grape. There’s a deep, winey scent which is really appealing. The recommended parameters are 6-10 minutes at 212, and I’m going to go for the bottom end of the range for my first steep. I gave the leaves a short rinse before preparing my first cup proper.
First cup, and the liquor is bright golden yellow. The scent is very fruity; stonefruit generically, but I think apricot more specifically. To taste, it’s a completely odd duck. Initially, I’m getting quite a strong flavour of mushroom; quite nutty , a little damp-tasting. Then a smooth, sweet apricot note develops, which, frankly, is more than a little weird next to the mushroom. There’s a light astringency in the aftertaste, but nothing overwhelming.
Second steep is very similar to the first. The mushroom notes are a bit milder, but the same (quite jarring) contrast with the apricot is still there. The astringency is increasing, to the point where my mouth and throat feel quite dry after taking a sip.
I know this one is good for multiple resteeps, but I’m going to leave it here because I’m not really enjoying it. I have another sample of this one to try at a later date, so hopefully I can analyse what I’m doing and make some amendments. I think perhaps western style brewing is not the way with this one.
Preparation
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I’ve found puerh is best suited to the short steeps of gong fu brewing. You might give that a try.
also… if you don’t like the first few steepings if you do them gong fu, just toss out the first few… haha
Welcome to the wonderful weird work of Sheng :)
I would agree with tealizzy, I steep shengs for around 10 – 30 seconds. 6 minutes is way too long.
I’ve found puerh is best suited to the short steeps of gong fu brewing. You might give that a try.
also… if you don’t like the first few steepings if you do them gong fu, just toss out the first few… haha
Welcome to the wonderful weird work of Sheng :)
I would agree with tealizzy, I steep shengs for around 10 – 30 seconds. 6 minutes is way too long.