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This is a sample I received a while ago, I’m just now getting around to sipping. Thanks again, Teavivre! Even though raw pu-erh is not my favorite type of tea, I wanted to try this one as it seems like a twin to it’s ripened pu-erh that is probably my FAVORITE pu-erh (the Fengqing Zhuan Cha Ripened 2006 – though it isn’t currently available for sale). The first steep of a raw pu-erh is always fine with me – after a longer rinse and a 30 second steep, this one is light, mellow, with almost a creamy quality to it – it’s a little surprising! This is a raw pu-erh I can like! As it cools, it’s slightly more fruity, maybe hints of apple or pear. I made sure to keep the other steeps at 30 seconds, as I’ve learned to do with raw pu-erh before it gets into bitter flavor territory I don’t like. The second cup isn’t as nice as the first (still haven’t mastered steeping raw pu-erh – maybe I should cool the water longer as steeps increase? That seems to be the one thing I haven’t tried yet.) The flavor deepens a LITTLE… luckily not bitter or like cedar chips but raw pu-erh is always tough for me to tell what that flavor actually is. I can’t describe it! But whatever this is, it’s very sweet! The third steep is also similar, it still has that creamy sweet mild fruit flavor. I think the rule I’ve learned with raw pu-erh is 30 second steeps. The pieces of pu-erh cake are barely unraveled so I think I could keep going with MANY more steeps with excellent flavor but it’s already after 11PM! Probably one of the best raw pu-erhs I’ve tried. This one has changed me into a fan of sheng! I wouldn’t mind buying a brick of this one. I’m just now noticing that Teavivre’s own description uses “mellow” and “sweet”.
Steep #1 // 2/3 of sample (probably 7 grams for 11 ounce mug) // 12 minutes after boiling // rinse // 30 second steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 30 second steep
Steep #3 // 15 minutes after boiling // 30 seconds