Thanks so much for a sample of this one a while ago, Meowster! I’ve really let this sample linger with such high expectations. :D I took a break from my holiday teas today! I used 4.9 grams for a mug (measured by Meowster- thanks!) which was probably a lot for a mug, but I really love my deep pu-erh anyway, so I went with the entire sample. Sometimes I’d use an entire Teavivre sample for a pu-erh and those are 7grams… so 4.9 grams isn’t the most I’ve used before! There is certainly a sweetness to this pu-erh and it’s certainly dark. No noticeable negative fragrances or flavors. I could swear it does have a note of brown sugar— sure I’m being convinced by the name, but it just is. The second steep is starchier and biscuity but still sweet. I could tell the third steep was losing much of its strength and the fourth steep was even weaker than that. So I’m glad I don’t regret using the entire sample. If it happens that the lower quality ripe pu-erh is the darkest, then consider me a fan of those. Not the most amazing pu-erh I’ve tried, but ALWAYS thankful for trying.
Steep #1 // 4.9grams for a full mug // 16 minutes after boiling // rinse // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 11 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #3 // just boiled // 3 minute steep
Steep #4 // just boiled // 10 min
2019 sipdowns: 83 (This + oldest Bird&Blend Snowball)