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drank 2012 Yunnan Sourcing "Yong De Blue Label" Ripe Pu-erh tea cake by Yunnan Sourcing
1551 tasting notes

Here’s another Christmas tea, the tasting of this cut short.

Gone gaiwan: 7g, 100mL, 212F, rinse plus 8 steeps at 20/15/20/25/30/35/45/75s.

Dry: fishy, chocolate
Rinse: chocolate, baked bread, fish disappeared
First 5 steeps: tasted a lot like a chocolate truffle filled with a little bit of blueberry/raspberry liqueur, baked bread, savory, mellow bitterness, salty. Turned into… another reviewer mentioned bourbon cask and vanilla — I think that’s an excellent description.
Sixth steep: floral
Seventh and eighth: additions of mushroom and leather.

The tea delivered heavy, strong notes for longer than expected. By 75s, it lightened significantly but I think it could be pushed hard to continue delivering a tasty brew. Thanks to Togo, I’ll be on the lookout for this one. A very satisfying shou that transformed nicely throughout the unfortunately short session.

I just realized I finally made it through all the teas in the Great Togo Teaswap. What a great way to try so many different teas, especially puerh.
Preparation
Boiling 7 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
2 comments
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Togo
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This one sold out, but the 2013 vesion is almost the same. In fact, I first sampled the 2013 one, based on which I decided to get a cake. However, the 2012 was on sale at some point so I got that instead :D

And yeah, I totally agree the tea swap was a great success. We should do it again at some point in the future ;)

derk
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Thanks for the info.

I already have some packaged up for you. I admit I was anticipating another swap ;)

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Comments

Togo
Delete

This one sold out, but the 2013 vesion is almost the same. In fact, I first sampled the 2013 one, based on which I decided to get a cake. However, the 2012 was on sale at some point so I got that instead :D

And yeah, I totally agree the tea swap was a great success. We should do it again at some point in the future ;)

derk
Delete

Thanks for the info.

I already have some packaged up for you. I admit I was anticipating another swap ;)

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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