We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“I tried it again but I’ll pass. It tastes so much like dirt I can feel the grit in my teeth. I steeped it three times and sipped each to be sure. Oh well. There’s plenty of tea out there.” Read full tasting note
“This plain foil sample pack arrived from Zen tea labeled simply Puerh Loose leaf. There was no notation of what vintage or what farm or factory crafted this tea. I’m getting skeptical at this...” Read full tasting note
“This was my first time drinking pu-erh tea. The pack I bought had been fermented since 1992 and does not contain artificial smells or flavors. When I first smelled it, I thought I would not like...” Read full tasting note
Pu-erh or Pu-er teas are teas whose leaves are re-hydrated after fermentation, to enable a second fermentation; they are called post-fermented teas. After production, these teas are stored in cool cellars or buried in the ground for one or more years. The dark to light brown Sinensis leaf develops a strong, spicy and earthy taste and an earthy and woody flavour. The infusion has a light brown color. This ancient wonder is renowned in China as a health elixir and has shown tremendous potential in helping to lower cholesterol naturally.
Price: $12 / 100g
Company description not available.
This plain foil sample pack arrived from Zen tea labeled simply Puerh Loose leaf. There was no notation of what vintage or what farm or factory crafted this tea. I’m getting skeptical at this point. However, I have tried and liked very much both of the other teas I have tried from Zen Tea. Therefore, I proceeded with a cautious optimism.
After depositing the sample into my small puer Yixing and giving it a rinse, I was greeted by a very robust, peaty aroma. Very strong tobacco and leather notes were being emitted from this first steep. I prepared myself for a very assertive brew.
In an effort to minimize the possibility of even an unpleasant swallow, I usually, at first, keep the steeps short. Even with a short steep, I received a inky, thick first cup. So far we have a very robust aroma coupled with a dark, thick consistency… First sip… It depends on which part of my tongue!!! There were too many different and varied flavors swimming around in my mouth. Some I could probably assign a flavor, but most not. None however were bad. Moreover, they were all as harmonious as the Vienna Boys Choir!!!!
All the flavors layer on top of each other seemlessly. Following steepings did not disappoint either. The flavor has moderated a bit, while not becoming more complex, but still very pleasant. This puer also has great endurance. I will not be able to outlast these leaves.
Perhaps I’m losing part of my logical faculties, or perhaps something otherworldly, BUT…. I can clearly taste the aroma of Iveron or Svir after each sip. These are both types of incense used at my church (Russian Orthodox), but I don’t have any at home nor have any unwashed clothes around that may carry the scent. I don’t know, but it is very pleasant, if not a bit strange.
Again, I want to thank Zen tea for the sample. It made for a very enjoyable drinking session. I’m very pleased with this unidentified puer!
Oh my! I understand how the incense plays in. Take a look at my blog www.teaandincense.com the picture is my censor with some frankincense burning in it that I set up on my bed. What you can’t see to the right on the wall is my icon shelf.
I get you! I had a tea from Bonnie once (Hi, Bonnie!) that reminded me of incense! She had sent me some of the incense as well as tea, but the incense had NOT tainted the tea at all, it was just the flavor and aroma of the tea!
Hi Ash!
This was my first time drinking pu-erh tea. The pack I bought had been fermented since 1992 and does not contain artificial smells or flavors. When I first smelled it, I thought I would not like it because it was so strong; however, I liked the taste. It definitely was not delicate, but I liked the gritty bitterness of it. The smell grew on me as I was drinking it. Unfortunately, my taste and smell are not very refined, so I can’t give much more detail about it.
I don’t think I steeped it for as long as I should have. My first cup was kind of weak, but my next cup was much better. I’m happy I drank it though. I’ll try for a better brew next time.
Flavors: Bitter, Burnt
sebarnett47. it’s very common with puerhs. They take some time to get wet and extract the goodness out of desiccated cells so first steeps are almost always weaker and typically forgettable. Many people simply discard the first short steeping and let the tea sit a bit before the start the secind one.
blech
Embrace the grit!