2014 Yunnan Sourcing Bangbao Village Raw Pu-erh tea cake

Gorgeous photos! Where did you get the teapot from? Been looking for one that filters out leaves and yours looks so beautiful! :D

thank you. it was commissioned from polish pottery Andrzej Bero. Are you on IG? if you are i can tag you to his account. Some of his pieces are sold on puerh.sk
http://pu-erh.sk/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=3_67

I keep the lid off for all tea …

Since I started out as a green tea drinker I habitually keep the lid off all teas after pouring. I have noticed though when using a gaiwan that shengs do well with it on during the initial two or so steeps after the leaves cool slightly. It’s trivial, but I think it helps the leaves hydrate more efficiently and makes for better forthcoming steeps.

I do the rinse and wait method. I let the tea rest after the wash as I find it brews better with the wait.

Yup, I’ve learned that from others here how sheng leaves need a rest before the 1st brew. I love how pu’er forces me to slow down and experience the tea.

Appreciating all the notes you’re putting out there for Yunnan Sourcing productions. Really under-reviewed teas!

Yeah I got 250g of samples with my last order… I also couldn’t believe these weren’t more reviewed, I appreciate your appreciation!

Yeah, seriously. I’ve had maybe five or six from 2014, but without Hobbes and Jakub regularly reviewing them it’s a pretty unsurmountable task to sort through their stock!

From 14, winners so far are Bangbao, Yi Bi, and Da Hu Sai. Just one man’s opinion though, I don’t have nearly the breadth of experience as Hobbes and Jakub do….

I don’t believe I’ve tried any of those. If you get around/have interest in autumnal cakes, I’m a fan of the Daqing Gushu from the autumn.

Oh and these notes should be most helpful for deciphering the 2015 harvest.

Have either of you tried the Da Si ancient arbor from 2013? It’s stellar.

Yeah, I have a sample. It’s definitely good.. Also had it on the episode with Scott.

OK. Just drank the Dasi again, back to back with the Da Qing Gushu. The Dasi is clearly the better tea, more depth etc. I don’t regret my Daqing cakes as they’re still great value IMO, but I’m increasingly more tempted by the Dasi.

Interestingly, it probably came the closest to reminding me of Crimson Lotus Tea’s Slumbering Dragon. Hard to say based off one session and because I’m just going off my memory, but big thumbs up to the Dasi.