I've been trying various kinds of loose pu'rh and comparing them to the compressed form. So far I can conveniently only find the cooked in loose form. I have a loose uncooked style on order. I know the loose cooked pu'rh is 'graded' and I've tried Grade A and B and a 'Tribute' version. To sum it up I'd call the compressed style 'strong' and the loose 'mild' just for a comparison reference. Now I wondering if the the loose is processed the same way as the compressed? I don't see what could account for the difference in taste if it is. Actually the loose ripe Yunnan versions reminds me more of a LiuAn in that they're milder and more forgiving. If you don't like the ripe compressed style you might like the loose style.
Jim