Oct 14th, '12, 13:06
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Location: southeast nebraska
1st attempt at puerh cake
Well, my first attempt at buying a puerh cake didn't go so well. The cake is so dried out that I can't even pry a piece off without it just breaking up really small. Can anyone suggest a good vendor in the usa that is affordable but good quality? Thanks!
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
Use an ice pick. The cake is supposed to be dry and hard, if preserving aroma is a goal of the maker. Take out chunks, and wash that rock in your gaiwan/yixing a couple of times to soften things up.
Most US vendors are reliable. There is hell to pay if they're not.
Most US vendors are reliable. There is hell to pay if they're not.
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
http://houdeasianart.com/teanovice78 wrote:Well, my first attempt at buying a puerh cake didn't go so well. The cake is so dried out that I can't even pry a piece off without it just breaking up really small. Can anyone suggest a good vendor in the usa that is affordable but good quality? Thanks!
Oct 14th, '12, 14:59
Posts: 77
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Location: southeast nebraska
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
Emmett, I'm not really sure what it is..there are some pictures in another post here is the link:http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17847
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
Have you tasted this tea yet?
I'll give the same advice others gave me ... buy samples before you buy whole cakes.
I'll give the same advice others gave me ... buy samples before you buy whole cakes.
Oct 14th, '12, 17:51
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Location: southeast nebraska
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
It's not too bad, flavor isn't very strong though. It is drinkable so that is a plus.
Oct 14th, '12, 21:12
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Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
teanovice78 wrote:It's not too bad, flavor isn't very strong though. It is drinkable so that is a plus.
Somebody already mentioned this, but double emphasis on sampling. Sample as much as you can, or contact a vendor and give them a rough idea of the flavors/strength you want, otherwise you will end up paying an unnecessarily high tuition for getting started. You are bound to make some purchases you regret anyway, everyone has a few cakes in their closet that they could take or leave. But, If you sample a few sessions before buying a cake, you will minimize your losses.
Oct 14th, '12, 22:23
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Location: southeast nebraska
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
I agree that I will order some samples in the future and see what I like. I am definately looking for a strong flavored tea; more on the earthy side than the sweet. Someone suggested one place, any other usa vendors that have good puerh and fair prices?
Oct 14th, '12, 23:46
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Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
Why to limit yourself to US vendors? If you had not, then finepuer and sampletea might be a good place to look for samples, because they have them really cheap (not cheap tea, though hardly too expensive, but the samples are cheap). And from all the vendors I have tried so far, the hit/miss ratio is probably the best for them. They're based in Malaysia, but the shipping is quite allright and fast.
In US, thechineseteashop might be worth a look - I think there are some very good teas and a lot of rather ordinary stuff, generally for good prices. The only thing I really disliked was that cheap 2003 Tong Qing Hao, that's a really disgusting thing.
In US, thechineseteashop might be worth a look - I think there are some very good teas and a lot of rather ordinary stuff, generally for good prices. The only thing I really disliked was that cheap 2003 Tong Qing Hao, that's a really disgusting thing.
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
I think thechineseteashop has enough duds to make it not a good idea for newcomers - if they ordered the wrong things they will hate puerh forever. Better to go with some safer vendors.
Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
Maybe you didn't see this sampler section at Houde's site:teanovice78 wrote:Someone suggested one place, any other usa vendors that have good puerh and fair prices?
http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... 1c7bf8a8eb
Oct 15th, '12, 03:34
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Re: 1st attempt at puerh cake
I like Houde's raw selections a lot, but they don't have a big variety for a newcomer to ripe.135F2 wrote: Maybe you didn't see this sampler section at Houde's site:
http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... 1c7bf8a8eb