My first serious foray into Pu-Ehr--advice?

I was just about to make the exact post, as I too have ordered some tuochas from Special Teas for the purpose of trying puerh, I look forward to reading the answers from knowledgable people. I emailed the people at ST about the puerh, and they told me it was a black puerh, but didn't (or couldn't?) tell me what year, factory or anything else. Doesn't much matter to me about what kind of Puerh it is, as this is the first time I'm trying any of it. About the other teas (assam, darj) from ST, I found the same thing that thier instructions don't exactly work, unless you want an extremely bitter tea. I always cut about 30 seconds off thier suggested times.

I was just about to make the exact post, as I too have ordered some tuochas from Special Teas for the purpose of trying puerh, I look forward to reading the answers from knowledgable people. I emailed the people at ST about the puerh, and they told me it was a black puerh, but didn't (or couldn't?) tell me what year, factory or anything else. Doesn't much matter to me about what kind of Puerh it is, as this is the first time I'm trying any of it. About the other teas (assam, darj) from ST, I found the same thing that thier instructions don't exactly work, unless you want an extremely bitter tea. I always cut about 30 seconds off thier suggested times.

I was just about to make the exact post, as I too have ordered some tuochas from Special Teas for the purpose of trying puerh, I look forward to reading the answers from knowledgable people. I emailed the people at ST about the puerh, and they told me it was a black puerh, but didn't (or couldn't?) tell me what year, factory or anything else. Doesn't much matter to me about what kind of Puerh it is, as this is the first time I'm trying any of it. About the other teas (assam, darj) from ST, I found the same thing that thier instructions don't exactly work, unless you want an extremely bitter tea. I always cut about 30 seconds off thier suggested times.

Hi Carla,

Virtual China, cool. First let me ask 2 questions:

1) Is the tuocha you ordered also cooked? The only Tuo Cha I see there is a "mini" tuocha, is that it?

2) What type of brewing accoutrements do you have?

Mike

Enjoy your (virtual) China! I'll be enjoying (physical) China when I arrive in Beijing on Wednesday!

--- snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Paging Mike Petro really..or anyone who wants to chip in. As some of you know, I embarked on this semi-crazed idea of touring the tea world from my armchair (being unable to do it in person, a la Karsten). Anyway, I am now in (virtual) China and am going to have Pu-Ehr tomorrow. I have had it occasionally in the past and know I like it cooked and very very earthy, but I am by no means knowledgeable about it. For the purpose of my tour, I am going to have a Tuo Cha from Special Teas. I was wondering whether anyone has tried it and could advice on favorite leaf quantity and steeping times? Special Teas have obviously given me some brewing recommendations, but they didn't always work for me in the past for teas I know (Assams, Darjeelings etc), so I'd really like to have a second opinion, as it were. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Many thanks Carla

Hi Mike yes, I got their mini Tuocha in sample size (just in case I don't like it..) I have a gaiwan, as well as ceramic and porcelain teapots and a glass mug with infuser. Thanks for your help c

Hey Carla,

I'm no Mike (nor expert in any sense of the word) when it comes to Pu-Erh, but what I can offer you is my totally unbiased and basic results from my recent re-entry into Pu-Erh. So far I've only been hitting the cooked variety, next I plan on making my own virtual way to green Pu-erh's.

I can 100% certainly say that the best of my first round (about 10 or so different one's) was: "China Ancient Pu-Erh MAIDEN" from Upton's. It is said to come from 1,000 year old trees, and everything about it is enjoyable. Looks, color, quality, aroma, taste, and finish. Much more mild than some of the others, so if a strong hard hitting flavor is what you want, this is not it. The "mini" tuocha's that I've tried so far fit into that category. Some kinda like drinking a mushroom, some more dirt-ish, and all pretty strong... but I actually found that enjoyable to some extent. Still out of my round 1: MAIDEN wins hands down.

I can appreciate what a finely aged Pu-Erh must be like having gone through all of these, and look forward to getting to that level once I know exactly what I'm looking for.

Hope this helps... if not I'm not hurt, don't feel bad ;)

- Dominic Drinking: Sobe "Tsunami" Orange Cream (hey can't be tea all the time)

Hi Carla,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I had some things going on.

I don't know this specific mini, but as Dominic said they are quite hit and miss in terms of quality so don't give up if this one doesn't suit you.

The method I am going to recommend for brewing is NOT what I would recommend for other types of puerh, but in this circumstance I think it will be suitable. Take the smallest glazed or porcelain pot that you have and simply dump 1 mini for every 4oz of the pots capacity, round up if need be, in other words use 2 minis for a 6oz pot. Don't try to break it up or anything. Use water that is at a full rolling boil. Normally I would rinse a puerh but with these minis I don't bother. Let the tea steep for 1.5 minutes then carefully pour it into a cup trying to avoid getting the leaves in your cup, use a strainer if you have one. Then repeat this method using the same leaves but increase the steep time about 30 seconds for each subsequent steep.

This method should allow you at least three good steeps if not more. The second and third steep are often the best.

-- Mike Petro