Today, courtesy of a very kind Steepster friend, I brewed this highly-recommended Menghai shou Gongfu style: 10g / 3 oz. / 205 / 5-sec rinse / 20-min rest / four identical steeps combined into a tea mug / 5, 15, & 30-sec for a total of twelve 3-oz. infusions.
This ripe pu-erh is robust, dark, rich, and velvety smooth w/o any astringency or bitterness. There were no off-putting flavors or aromas of any kind. It’s invigorating enough for breakfast. I didn’t notice any cha qi. Additional infusions had the same enjoyable flavor profile and were nearly as rich using longer brewing times. I also tried a fourth round of infusions @ 60-sec. However, it was too light-bodied.
Impression: I agree with DigniTea & mrmopar that it’s an excellent affordable everyday shou. This is also an excellent choice for pu-erh beginners like us who enjoy full-bodied black tea.
Method:
RO water re-mineralized with an Aptera filter http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/39532-puregen-aptera-alkamag-water-filter
http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/37731-my-weigh-durascale-d2-660-digital-scale
Brewed gongfu-style using a digital variable-temp electric kettle and a tempered 3 oz. Ru Kiln gaiwan: http://steepster.com/teaware/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
http://steepster.com/teaware/shanghaistory/67231-top-tianqing-ru-kiln-celadon-kinking-gaiwan-90ml-slash-3-dot-0oz
In lieu of a sharing pitcher & tea strainer, a tea mug http://steepster.com/teas/royal-albert/45581-old-country-roses-afternoontea-mugs with a http://steepster.com/teas/teaware/29177-finum-brewing-basket placed in the tea mug were used.
