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This is my first Pu Erh and wow, I’m not sure what to think. Extremely dark like black coffee, this tea this tea has a musty earthy aroma but little astringency. I’m not sure if I like it or not, but I have a feeling that it may grow on me.

After tasting this tea last, Butiki Tea suggested I steep longer for more astringency and maltiness. On thing I noticed, when steeping longer, is that the sweetness goes away, which is okay since I’m not a huge fan of sweetness in teas. Also, it did make the tea stronger and added a little astringency but I still prefer even stronger tea; maltiness did not increase appreciably with the extra time.

This Assam lacks the astringency I like and has a slightly sweet and earthy/woodsy aroma. It’s a good tea but if you like the maltiness of Assams then look elsewhere.
I do love the fact that the leaves are whole and not chopped up which, in my opinion, says quality but the fragrance is lacking.

I’ve tried to like this tea, but it just smells burnt. The first time I made a cup, I smelled the infusion and I almost threw up, the liquor is much better little astringency but the aroma still tastes burnt.

I drink this tea every morning and love it. It is the most fragrant Assam I have tried so far in my short tea drinking life. I’ve made it in a mug with a large strainer and recently switched to a purple Yixing teapot which seems to lock in the fragrance. I drink it straight: no milk, no sugar.