How are these Pu-Erhs? My second attempt at Pu-Erh.

Dominic snipped-for-privacy@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com3/3/06

Dominic,

I looked at the Upton page from your link. I don't think the several teas listed there represent Pu'erh well. I've tried several of them in the past.They are not bad, but they will not give you a hint of what a fine young green cake can taste like. They seem cooked, all of them. I recommend that you try one of the many available "buds only" cakes. These are very easy to like and will give you a good feeling for the green musty sweetness that Pu'erh can be. There are other more flavorful and more complex young green Pu'erhs available as well. For me they fall into taste categories: Those that feature flavors akin to fruit or flower or smoke or even cigar ash, or some combination thereof. The latter types can be quite off putting. There is much to tell and much to learn and much to experience. We haven't even mentioned the glorious subtlety and gentle strength of the older versions of those green Pu'erhs.

Michael

Where could I come across one of these? and what are some names to look for? Houde, Jing Tea, etc?

I am definitely looking for more of the fruit/flower taste myself... but I am also looking into Pu-Erh again for my father and to possibly help with some of the fabled health benefits of Pu-Erh... I am sure he would enjoy the smoky/Cigar tasting ones very much.

What do I look for to know it will be smoky/cigar flavored or fruity/flowery? I keep searching and reading and never get a good clear answer, so that was why I decided to just jump in feet first and try one of each and figure it out for myself.

I have spent the past couple months (since I discovered this newsgroup) researching Pu-erh again, to try to have a second go at it. I'm not ready to buy any ancient large bricks quite yet, who knows I may actually find a couple that I enjoy and will at some point... but for now, I just need to get a fresh start. My first experiences were so musty tasting I could not stand them... who knows it could have even been bad or moldy/mildewy... I bought it from a reputable market and just know that what I brewed was not something I wanted to revisit again, that is why it has taken years (and this group) to even get me to try again. I figure if there are this many people, and this devoted to it... it must get better than what I experienced, a LOT better.

- Dominic

Hi Dominic,

The Upton Puerhs are mediocre IMHO. here are a few suggestions, these are all available in sample sizes so they wont break the bank:

Enjoy the reintroduction,

Mike

Great! Thanks, I only spent a small amount at Upton's and ordered some tea canisters too... so It won't kill me. Of the ones I did buy, which ones will be the better ones, so I have some Idea of what I should be expecting?

I hope to. Your site has been a great resource, and when I read the "about you" page I think we may be long lost brothers. Tea, Yixing, Kites, Fish (chichlids, swordtails, gourami's), Home automation, computers, Bonsai, and music are my hobbies... that was a little freaky. There aren't many folks with that same grouping of interests I'm sure.

Thanks again, and I will be ordering from both Jing and Houde soon!

- Dominic

Not sure which ones you bought but the only one that I think is decent is the Organic Pu-Erh Mini Tuo Cha, Special Grade, the rest are run of the mill loose blacks. None of these were green puerhs which represent a whole different spectrum of flavors.

Actually you are about the 3rd or 4th guy I* have run across with a similar mix of interests, but nonetheless it is kind of freaky. Email me offline sometime....

Mike

I bought one of each one that they carry, except for the celestial tribute. That was what I was hoping to get a feel for which would be the best of the bunch on.

I almost wrote that maybe it wasn't such a coincidence and that all of those disparate hobbies might have some common thread tieing them together... but I thought that was just a crazy thought of mine. Must not be so crazy afterall. I will email you sometime, it would be interesting to learn more.

- Dominic

here are a few suggestions, these are all available in sample sizes so they wont break the bank:...

Mike,

I'm getting ready to order some samples from Jing's. Any recommendations from their aged pu-erhs? I had a small aged sample from Teaspring when I first tried Pu, and got some tou chas in San Francisco's Chinatown that seemed older than what I was used to, but I've mostly had younger pu-erhs. Thought I should sample some with a few years on them. Unfortunately the budget won't allow anything real old.

Thanks,

Blues

Currently drinking Guricha from Den's Tea. It's a sencha processed in a Chinese style. One of my new favorite greens.

Hi Blues,

Unfortunately Seb doesn't really offer samples of puerh older than 10 years or so except by special request. While these are quite good they do not yet reveal the true pleasure of a properly matured puerh yet. If you are placing an order with Seb anyway try these two

Consider Grandtea, Yat has recently started selling sample sizes of

Guang at Hou De also offers sample size of 20-30 year old puerh. Guang has delivered some fine samples in the past. I recommend the 70s GYG, it is not the best of the genre but it is pretty good for the price range.

Cheers,

-- Mike Petro

Mike,

Thanks, Mike. Placed my order with Jing, some samples, a bing and a few tuos totaling about 750g. I'm looking forward to sampling a variety of young pu-erhs. I also ordered the 70's GYG from Hou De. It seemed a bit frivolous for someone of my means to pay that much for 10g of tea, but at least I will be able to say I've tasted 30 year old pu-erh.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Blues

Drinking 2004 Xiaguan Gold Ribbon Tuo Cha Listening to Dylan and the Band - After the Flood Maybe an odd mix, but why not?