1990's Vintage Wild Loose Leaf Pu-Erh Tea

this one came to me from omgsrsly and the final verdict on this one is that it’s too earthy for me. even after a number of steeps, there’s a note to this one that i don’t love. Initial steeps were very earthy and musty. I didn’t get the smokey notes that omgsrsly did, but maybe that’s the note that wasn’t jiving for me on this one? later steeps saw this one with a little sweeter note to it but it still carried that heavy, bold, earthy taste to it. Good to know though, and always happy to try new puerh :) thanks lady!

I’ve been taking notes…

https://instagram.com/p/zYC_xPx5AR/

10s rinse.
10s steep: OMG. Smokey. Weird note I can’t describe. Little sour.
- leaves smell kinda like wet cigarettes
Flash rinse
10s steep: Ugh, still that icky note I don’t like. Very smokey.
10s steep: Nope.
6s steep: Little better maybe, but still too smokey.
6s steep: Less smokey but still that icky taste.
6s steep: More smoke again, a little sweet, a little lingering bitterness.
(Will add later…)
6s steep: Bright, lingering bitterness. Smoke seems to be dissipating, although the leaves still smell icky.

Next day:

Flash rinse.
5s steep: Smells like a woodshop that someone’s also been smoking in. Reminds me of my Grampa, actually, which is weird. Today it’s not super objectionable, but it’s just not a flavour I want to be drinking.
(I’m trying to get as much out of this as possible, since the 5g cost $7.50. That’s a lot for a tea I don’t like, so steeping for educational purposes it is.)
10s steep: It’s a lot more drinkable now, but I think it’s starting to head out. I’ll probably do a few more steeps.

In conclusion, I don’t necessarily think this is a terrible tea. However, it’s not for me. Not at all. I really don’t like that heavy smokey sour flavour and the smokey woodshop smell.