Cha Liao Ji Stone Pressed 2006 Purple Buds Sheng

I didn’t see this pu’erh on the site anywhere, it was a reserve one I picked up from Verdant when they had a pu’erh sale of some reserve ones. I have been apprehensive to try it as there aren’t any reviews to teas similar to this at all, and the fact that it wasn’t on Steepster always makes me a bit nervous lol. No idea what to expect, so here goes!

The dry smell is a light, pleasantly honey aroma. At least it smells like sheng in the bag! This is my first purple buds tea, also, anyone have any info on this type of pu’erh? I googled but couldn’t find a whole lot of information lol. Anyways, back to the tea! There were no brewing directions anywhere, even on Verdant’s site! So I winged this in my gaiwan, did a 20s and a 15s rinse then about a 5s steep lol. Taking it slow to start with! The steeped smell is quite strongly tobacco, similar to a pu’erh I had from Teavivre this summer that I wasn’t a huge fan of. Not off to the greatest start…

WOW, the flavor is so crazy! I totally was not expecting that taste! Now how to describe it…so juicy, quite sweet, fresh, full..a tad smoky, but it works here, it melds with the sweetness…Maybe it is white grape then? It’s almost tropical in nature to me. The smokiness is present in the aftertaste, an almost leather smoke taste. Light though. There is a freshness present, a slight tingly feeling on my tongue. Uh oh, this one has all the qualities of being a pu’erh that will get me right tea drunk. LOL. The sugary sweet fruitiness is so interesting here! I have never had a sheng like this before.

Steep 2 – Not as sweet and fruity, but super mellow smoothness, still a sweetness, just not as pronounced of a fruity flavor, the smoky taste is a bit stronger but more green now, still melding beautifully. Oh and the juicy mouthfeel is still in full swing. I wonder if the smoky flavor is considered camphor? I am not sure what that is supposed to taste like, it would be good to identify it haha. Oh, I am also eating a dinner of mild pasta to help temper the possible pu’erh buzz, although this tea has led to more of a clear headed feeling than just super fuzzy and tea drunk at least :)

Steep 3 – The sweetness is still there, but the strong green flavor is taking over, not as smoky but definitely quite green. Mmm and the fresh feeling this leaves in the mouth is lovely, that sinus opening feeling..love teas like this for my allergies. A nice relaxing but slightly energizing feeling is coming over me too. A perfect tea for a long day of washing the floors haha.

I will stop updating with steepings now, but I am very pleased with this tea. It has many qualities I enjoy – it surprised me with its flavor, it was a flavor I have been enjoying, it’s complex, delicious, and opens my sinuses. Excellent tea, and I am so happy I picked up an oz of this while it was available, even though it was pricey!