TeaChat

I broke up a cake of dry stored sheng about half a year ago, which literary was gut wrenching strong, to see if I could make it age faster and mellow it out a bit.

I broke it up into larger chunks and put it into an open zip lock bag ad stored it in a cupboard at the beginning of the very humid summer.

When I had a look at it today I was quite surprised that it showed considerably aging both in the appearance of the chunks, color of the liquor and taste.

The cake, even though it was almost 10 years old, was quite green when I bought it due to dry storage. It has browned a lot, the original floral taste has turned into a malty taste and the liquor looks like a light shu color. While the taste currently lacks a bit depth, both the strength has mellowed and the cha qui has improved.

ChengduCha wrote:I broke up a cake of dry stored sheng about half a year ago, which literary was gut wrenching strong, to see if I could make it age faster and mellow it out a bit.

I broke it up into larger chunks and put it into an open zip lock bag ad stored it in a cupboard at the beginning of the very humid summer.

When I had a look at it today I was quite surprised that it showed considerably aging both in the appearance of the chunks, color of the liquor and taste.

The cake, even though it was almost 10 years old, was quite green when I bought it due to dry storage. It has browned a lot, the original floral taste has turned into a malty taste and the liquor looks like a light shu color. While the taste currently lacks a bit depth, both the strength has mellowed and the cha qui has improved.

I'd like to see pics of the before/after, if you took them. Was the platic breathable or sealed? How large was the chunk?

TwoDog2 wrote:
I'd like to see pics of the before/after, if you took them. Was the platic breathable or sealed? How large was the chunk?

I don't think I took any pictures before I broke it up, but if I find any I'll post them here.

The zip lock bag was open and the chunks were about 10-20g.

ChengduCha wrote:
I don't think I took any pictures before I broke it up, but if I find any I'll post them here.

The zip lock bag was open and the chunks were about 10-20g.

I have had similar experiences pulling apart cakes and putting them in separate places, the looser teas turn dark faster, to the point they are not recognizable as the same cake.

I will start a few experiments like this, just to compare - I think it's a fun idea

ChengduCha wrote:I broke it up into larger chunks and put it into an open zip lock bag ad stored it in a cupboard at the beginning of the very humid summer.

Why didn't you use paper/butcher's paper instead? I wouldn't use plastic myself for medium or long term storage.

bagua7 wrote:

ChengduCha wrote:I broke it up into larger chunks and put it into an open zip lock bag ad stored it in a cupboard at the beginning of the very humid summer.

Why didn't you use paper/butcher's paper instead? I wouldn't use plastic myself for medium or long term storage.

I didn't have any on hand. Paper bags are not commonly used in China.