Based on the look of this tea, do you think it is Raw or Ripe? Any reasoning appreciated. I will give details about the tea after there are some compelling answers!!
Picture of a full leaf here that teachat tells me it hates
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
ripe or shou
reason - raw tea still looks like tea leaves after twenty years - this is crumbly and black
reason - raw tea still looks like tea leaves after twenty years - this is crumbly and black
Last edited by TomVerlain on Aug 7th, '12, 22:00, edited 1 time in total.
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
The leaves would have to be well cared for and not chopped up too much. Certainly does not look like Dayi shu.
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
Hi, have you tried rubbing it? If it is old dry stored sheng, it should not break too much. If it is shu or wet stored sheng, it should break easily.
The wet stored sheng/shu could be probably distinguished by looking for wetness of storage - the shu puerh is different really.
Also, if the tea was sheng, even wet stored, it should feel more intense on the tongue - I have yet to meet a shu puerh with good, cooling mouthfeel.
The wet stored sheng/shu could be probably distinguished by looking for wetness of storage - the shu puerh is different really.
Also, if the tea was sheng, even wet stored, it should feel more intense on the tongue - I have yet to meet a shu puerh with good, cooling mouthfeel.
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
Jakub, I think Charlotte knows what the tea is... she's just asking our opinions from the pictures.
If it is a shou, then it's possible it wasn't fully fermented, which is why the leaves still have a decent amount of integrity to them. Highly fermented shou tends to be much more scraggly than that, and you almost certainly wouldn't be able to open out a leaf like that extra picture you have without it breaking apart into bits.
If it is a sheng, then it is very old... I would guess earlier than 1980.
So that's my guess -- either younger not-fully-fermented shou, or an old sheng. That's as far as I can get from the pictures alone.
If it is a shou, then it's possible it wasn't fully fermented, which is why the leaves still have a decent amount of integrity to them. Highly fermented shou tends to be much more scraggly than that, and you almost certainly wouldn't be able to open out a leaf like that extra picture you have without it breaking apart into bits.
If it is a sheng, then it is very old... I would guess earlier than 1980.
So that's my guess -- either younger not-fully-fermented shou, or an old sheng. That's as far as I can get from the pictures alone.
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
im a complete amateur, so for me just by looking at the colour of the soup you see in the upper right corner it is sheng.....
also the leaves look more intact than usual shou..
but you can never tell, i thikn it could be both...
well i mean thats what im guessing im a complete amateur....
for me it could also be aged rock tea, or any tea.....
also the leaves look more intact than usual shou..
but you can never tell, i thikn it could be both...
well i mean thats what im guessing im a complete amateur....
for me it could also be aged rock tea, or any tea.....
Aug 8th, '12, 10:31
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Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
a Cha Tou blend, with different levels of fermentation (one in first pic looks kinda different then last few pics)
I think the nugget shapes are more a giveaway then anything that it is ripe
I think the nugget shapes are more a giveaway then anything that it is ripe
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
thank you very much, you opened my eyes. yes buying pu in germany is no good idea.teaisme wrote:a Cha Tou blend, with different levels of fermentation (one in first pic looks kinda different then last few pics)
I think the nugget shapes are more a giveaway then anything that it is ripe
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
Ok, here is the big reveal!!
It was given to me as a sample and listed as a 1980's raw tea, stored in Hong Kong. I am not sure if that is actually what it is or not, but it tasted like wet storage for sure!! I also thought the first picture of the leaf was pretty important, as I never see shu with full leaves like that, and there were many.
Now what!? I am all ears!!
It was given to me as a sample and listed as a 1980's raw tea, stored in Hong Kong. I am not sure if that is actually what it is or not, but it tasted like wet storage for sure!! I also thought the first picture of the leaf was pretty important, as I never see shu with full leaves like that, and there were many.
Now what!? I am all ears!!
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
I guess it depends what you want to do with it?Charlotte_J wrote:Now what!? I am all ears!!
If you want to get rid of (or lessen) the wet storage, you can store it in a "normal" humidity spot for a few years.
Or you can share more pictures, as MarshalN suggested.
Re: From looks alone, Is this Raw or Ripe?
Ok!! Here are the more pictures that people asked for. I still don't know whether to buy it or not - I do not mind the wet storage taste though
Just want to know what it is! I do not have anymore of the sample, it is gone now
editing, some trouble posting the pics on teachat--
Just want to know what it is! I do not have anymore of the sample, it is gone now
editing, some trouble posting the pics on teachat--