Pu-Erh recommendations ?

One of the intentionally aged teas, Pu-Erh has a loyal following.


Oct 6th, '11, 21:56
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Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by RogueBagel » Oct 6th, '11, 21:56

Novice here, what should I try first?

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Oct 6th, '11, 22:34
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by debunix » Oct 6th, '11, 22:34

This is a =20&sc=1&sf=firstpost&sr=posts&sk=t&sd=d&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search]search for similar topics that will give you a lot of possibilities and ideas.

The standard recommendation that I can't second highly enough is, get lots and lots of samples, and very few if any entire tuos, beengs, or bricks, until you've sampled a bunch of puerh from several vendors, and have a better idea of your taste preferences.

Because puerh are distinguished by vintage year, source of leaves (young plantation/old plantation/'wild', elevation, big leaf/small bud), type of processing (sheng/raw or shu/ripe) and reputation of company processing the leaves (big factory/small producer/boutique release), and even the type of storage ('wet' or 'dry'), it is hard to recommend exact teas--my favorite teas to share with newbies to pu are not easy to come by (2007 White bud sheng from Norbu, is a private production, long sold out; 2007 menghai golden needle white lotus shu brick, sold out from my source; 2009 Lao Cha Tou shu brick from norbu is available; I don't know anything about my first beeng, not even sheng/shu, but it brews up nice and friendly).

So....sample widely, and go from there.

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Oct 7th, '11, 07:28
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by bagua7 » Oct 7th, '11, 07:28

If money is not a worry to you: aged sheng puerh hands down. Sources: very touchy subject. I have always had the fortune to be invited to drink very old sheng puerh, so let others who have chime in and offer their advice.

Other than that, I enjoyed the following:

1. Young sheng

2010 Yunnan Sourcing "Autumn Mang Fei"
2009 Yi Wu Meng Song "Dai Tribe" bamboo cane stored
2003 Changtai Yichanghao

2. Shou

2009 Douji "Peace World"
2009 Shi Kun-Mu Yi Ru Shi
2009 Haiwan - Lao Tong Zhi 9978
2007 Menghai Dayi "Golden Needle & White Lotus"
Menghai Dayi V93
Menghai 7452
2007 Xiaguan toucha for export
2004 Menghai old tree brick
Last edited by bagua7 on Nov 5th, '11, 23:32, edited 6 times in total.

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Oct 7th, '11, 12:28
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by DarkenedSun » Oct 7th, '11, 12:28

debunix wrote: The standard recommendation that I can't second highly enough is, get lots and lots of samples, and very few if any entire tuos, beengs, or bricks, until you've sampled a bunch of puerh from several vendors, and have a better idea of your taste preferences.
+1
look at the puerh vendors page and pick a few sites and order lots of different samples.

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Nov 2nd, '11, 19:06
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by siae » Nov 2nd, '11, 19:06

I too want to break in to the world of pu. I'm thinking about ordering samples from yunnan sourcing but I don't have a clue on what to pick.

Could you guys pick out some samples for maybe 30-40 usd? I know this is a lot to ask but it would make my day, I'm totally lost : )

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Nov 2nd, '11, 19:45
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by Cole » Nov 2nd, '11, 19:45

Just wanted to post and say that Stephane over at the Tea Masters blog can "build" you a puerh sampler set if you want to experience the world of shu/sheng puerh in one fell swoop. Mine included 5 different samples, and has been a pleasure to work through!

Nov 2nd, '11, 19:46
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by fdrx » Nov 2nd, '11, 19:46


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Nov 3rd, '11, 07:03
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by siae » Nov 3rd, '11, 07:03

This is great fdrx, thanks! I think my budget can handle a few more samples if anyone want to recommend a few others :)

*happy*

Nov 3rd, '11, 11:19
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by fdrx » Nov 3rd, '11, 11:19

if you want some high mountain sheng pu samples i recommend you to order some here: http://www.zhizhengtea.com/

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Nov 3rd, '11, 11:35
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by siae » Nov 3rd, '11, 11:35

fdrx wrote:if you want some high mountain sheng pu samples i recommend you to order some here: http://www.zhizhengtea.com/
Those cakes seem a little bit expensive, I would like to be able to purchase cakes if I like the samples.

Nov 3rd, '11, 11:39
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by fdrx » Nov 3rd, '11, 11:39

get some more YunnanSourcing production samples, they are all fine

Nov 3rd, '11, 12:10
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by beecrofter » Nov 3rd, '11, 12:10

siae wrote:
fdrx wrote:if you want some high mountain sheng pu samples i recommend you to order some here: http://www.zhizhengtea.com/
Those cakes seem a little bit expensive, I would like to be able to purchase cakes if I like the samples.

How much would you estimate the cost per serving to be?

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Nov 3rd, '11, 12:51
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by siae » Nov 3rd, '11, 12:51

beecrofter wrote:
siae wrote:
fdrx wrote:if you want some high mountain sheng pu samples i recommend you to order some here: http://www.zhizhengtea.com/
Those cakes seem a little bit expensive, I would like to be able to purchase cakes if I like the samples.

How much would you estimate the cost per serving to be?
Are you asking me?

Nov 3rd, '11, 17:22
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by beecrofter » Nov 3rd, '11, 17:22

Well somewhere in this thread someone mentioned the pricyness of the beengs. My point is that on a cost per serving basis the tea is less expensive than a coke.

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Nov 3rd, '11, 18:12
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Re: Pu-Erh recommendations ?

by siae » Nov 3rd, '11, 18:12

beecrofter wrote:Well somewhere in this thread someone mentioned the pricyness of the beengs. My point is that on a cost per serving basis the tea is less expensive than a coke.
Yes, but when the cost of a single beeng is more than twice the cost of my usual tea-ordering limit I think it's too expensive.

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