In my limited pu’erh experience, I seem to prefer sheng to shu pu’erh. Perhaps it’s just the ones I’ve tried (as they’re pretty limited anyways), but I decided to start trying a few more to figure out which I like! Also, I just bought samples of 4 more from Verdant… so it would be best if I started drinking them!

I probably didn’t brew this one completely properly – I rinsed it with a continuous stream of close-to-boiling water for 15 seconds, then infused for two minutes. The water was from a kettle, so likely dropped more in temperature had I microwaved the water as usual (yeah yeah, I know…)

Ok… this is a bit too strong for me. I probably overleafed, so likely my fault. It is, however, much more pleasant than many pue’rhs I’ve had. No fishiness, and more of a creamy flavour. Astringent though, however (but that’s my fault I suspect). I thought I had measured out about 1.5 tsp of leaf, but it was a bit difficult to be accurate, so I was probably a bit off.

Not my favourite… I’ll try it again a bit more carefully, but although it’s definitely drinkable, it’s probably not something I’d reach for. I may be offloading the majority of my pu’erhs on my mom at Christmas, as she does seem to enjoy them.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 2 min, 0 sec
Invader Zim

I’m fairly limited in puerh experience, but I’m finding that I too seem to prefer sheng over shu.

Kittenna

I think it’s because the shengs to me have tasted more tea-like, and the shus have been a bit on the fishy side? I’m still so inexperienced though!

Invader Zim

I haven’t really experienced a fishy puerh, lucky I guess. but I think I prefer shengs because they do resemble regular tea more closely. Shu’s to me almost all taste the same, not much variety…earthy and raisins.

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Invader Zim

I’m fairly limited in puerh experience, but I’m finding that I too seem to prefer sheng over shu.

Kittenna

I think it’s because the shengs to me have tasted more tea-like, and the shus have been a bit on the fishy side? I’m still so inexperienced though!

Invader Zim

I haven’t really experienced a fishy puerh, lucky I guess. but I think I prefer shengs because they do resemble regular tea more closely. Shu’s to me almost all taste the same, not much variety…earthy and raisins.

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I have always been a tea fan (primarily herbals and Japanese greens/oolongs) but in the last year or so, tea has become increasingly more appealing as not only a delicious, calming drink, but as a relatively cheap, healthy reward or treat to give myself when I deserve something. I should clarify that, however; the reward is expanding my tea cupboard, not drinking tea – I place no restrictions on myself in terms of drinking anything from my cupboard as that would defeat my many goals!

My DavidsTea addiction was born in late 2011, despite having spent nearly a year intentionally avoiding their local mall location (but apparently it was just avoiding the inevitable!). I seem to have some desire to try every tea they’ve ever had, so much of my stash is from there, although I’ve recently branched out and ordered from numerous other companies.

I like to try and drink all my teas unaltered, as one of the main reasons I’m drinking tea other than for the flavour is to be healthy and increase my water intake without adding too many calories! I’ve found that the trick in this regard is to be very careful about steeping time, as most teas are quite pleasant to drink straight as long as they haven’t been oversteeped. However, I tend to be forgetful (particularly at work) when I don’t set a timer, resulting in a few horrors (The Earl’s Garden is not so pleasant after, say, 7+ minutes of steeping).

I’m currently trying to figure out which types of teas are my favourites. Herbals are no longer at the top; oolongs have thoroughly taken over that spot, with greens a reasonably close second. My preference is for straight versions of both, but I do love a good flavoured oolong (flavoured greens are really hit or miss for me). Herbals I do love iced/cold-brewed, but I drink few routinely (Mulberry Magic from DavidsTea being a notable exception). I’m learning to like straight black teas thanks to the chocolatey, malty, delicious Laoshan Black from Verdant Tea, and malty, caramelly flavoured blacks work for me, but I’m pretty picky about anything with astringency. Lately I’ve found red rooibos to be rather medicinal, which I dislike, but green rooibos and honeybush blends are tolerable. I haven’t explored pu’erh, mate, or guayasa a great deal (although I have a few options in my cupboard).

I’ve decided to institute a rating system so my ratings will be more consistent. Following the smiley/frowny faces Steepster gives us:

100: This tea is amazing and I will go out of my way to keep it in stock.

85-99: My core collection (or a tea that would be, if I was allowing myself to restock everything!) Teas I get cravings for, and drink often.

75-84: Good but not amazing; I might keep these in stock sparingly depending on current preferences.

67-74: Not bad, I’ll happily finish what I have but probably won’t ever buy it again as there’s likely something rated more highly that I prefer.

51-66: Drinkable and maybe has some aspect that I like, but not really worth picking up again.

34-50: Not for me, but I can see why others might like it. I’ll make it through the cup and maybe experiment with the rest to get rid of it.

0-33: It’s a struggle to get through the cup, if I do at all. I will not willingly consume this one again, and will attempt to get rid of the rest of the tea if I have any left.

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