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Hey Guys,
I am new to Pu erh i just bought a 8 year old aged tibetan brick which I think is amazing. But I am looking for some more cakes and were wondering if people could tell me good places and the name of some starter Pu erhs. Thanks so much.

Perhaps a little more detail is needed. What kind of brick is it? Raw or cooked? That may very well influence what we end up recommending.

We need to sticky a "New to Puerh" topic that has some good info. This type of question comes up a lot.

MarshalN wrote:Perhaps a little more detail is needed. What kind of brick is it? Raw or cooked? That may very well influence what we end up recommending.

I am unsure of which it was how do i tell the difference?

HSL1291 wrote:

MarshalN wrote:Perhaps a little more detail is needed. What kind of brick is it? Raw or cooked? That may very well influence what we end up recommending.

I am unsure of which it was how do i tell the difference?

If it was something like this, than it's raw.

nickE wrote:

HSL1291 wrote:

MarshalN wrote:Perhaps a little more detail is needed. What kind of brick is it? Raw or cooked? That may very well influence what we end up recommending.

I am unsure of which it was how do i tell the difference?

If it was something like this, than it's raw.

That brick is certainly what leapt to my mind... but those Xiaguan bricks are not typical raw pu'erh.

HSL -- how did the tea taste?

nickE wrote:

HSL1291 wrote:

MarshalN wrote:Perhaps a little more detail is needed. What kind of brick is it? Raw or cooked? That may very well influence what we end up recommending.

I am unsure of which it was how do i tell the difference?

If it was something like this, than it's raw.

1 month+ ago, I tried the slightly older version of that. 2001 version, Malaysian stored. The colour of the tea seems aged well. This tea is smooth, easy to drink but lacks the kick.

Being a 9/10 years old tea, price at about USD31. The price tells that it is an average grade pu. I would buy this for drinking now and not aging. I think this pu is running low on stamina...

auhckw wrote: Being a 9/10 years old tea, price at about USD31. The price tells that it is an average grade pu. I would buy this for drinking now and not aging. I think this pu is running low on stamina...

Indeed, I've heard that the Baoyan stuff undergoes some type of baking or oxidization to make it more drinkable. I think this is what gives it the dark, tobacco taste. I wouldn't be surprised if this also altered its ability to age and stay powerful.

Nothing wrong with drinking them now, though.

nickE wrote:Indeed, I've heard that the Baoyan stuff undergoes some type of baking or oxidization to make it more drinkable. I think this is what gives it the dark, tobacco taste. I wouldn't be surprised if this also altered its ability to age and stay powerful.

Having tasted many examples of aged Baoyan, I can assure you that they turnout quite deliciously, at least from 2004 and before and when stored traditionally.

bearsbearsbears wrote:at least from 2004 and before and when stored traditionally.

Is that the key though, especially the last part?

MarshalN wrote:

bearsbearsbears wrote:at least from 2004 and before and when stored traditionally.

Is that the key though, especially the last part?

With Baoyan or all sheng pu?

Baoyan are so compressed, even after traditional storage the tea probably tastes on the dry side.

Mind to share the definition of traditional storage?

auhckw wrote:Mind to share the definition of traditional storage?

See MarshalN's recent blog post here: http://www.marshaln.com/2011/01/traditional-not-wet/

Also, http://www.marshaln.com/tag/traditional-stored-puerh/ , in particular http://www.marshaln.com/2008/05/wednesday-may-28-2008/

I was curious is there a blog or place to start looking for which ones try proper steeping techniques and such? I am just looking for a beginners guide to Pu.

HSL1291 wrote:I was curious is there a blog or place to start looking for which ones try proper steeping techniques and such? I am just looking for a beginners guide to Pu.

The links in this thread are a good starting point. (We really should have a Pu FAQ )
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14991