Kuding tea

[daidokorocha]

That sounds like a miserable experience, SE7EN.

I just put in an order a few days ago for some small leaf wild kuding. It goes by the name Qing Shan Lu Shui or Tianshan Lushui. Very excited to try.

[Se7en8ight]

I will suggest you try a small quantity of leaves. A quarter of what is recommended then increase if you think you should want more. It's quite bitter.

78

[daidokorocha]

Ne, thanks for the advice! I only got a tiny bit, so I was planning on trying to make it last. I'll definitely go little and up it. I do enjoy bitter though, so we'll see how it turns out. I'll report back with my experience. No gongfu for me. I want to get the regular kuding tea to compare to the small leaf variety. I wonder if there is a large discernible difference or not.

Edit: Here is a note from teaspring. I didn't order mine off teaspring, but surely it isn't much different...!
ABout Qing Shan Lui Shui
"The taste of this tea is bitter (more pleasant compared to Kuding) initially but it has a sweet aftertaste."

[jayinhk]

I just gongfu'd some (an entire 10g). First infusion last night, second today. Dang, that stuff is bitter! I have absolutely tasted it in pu erh before--it has a very distinctive flavor.

This is supposedly top quality kuding from Hainan. I used way too many nails...I won't let it happen again! It really is keeping me cool in the heat, and makes me feel 'light.' it's quite tasty aside from the bitterness.

[Teaism]

This tea is occasionally blended into Puer to simulate the bitterness in higher quality Puer. In the past, I drank a lot of this tea to recognise its taste in order to learn how to identify it if they blend into Puer tea to fake the quality. Bitter lessons and experience but necessary.

Cheers!

[jayinhk]

Yes you posted that at the beginning of the thread--I have definitely tasted it in pu erh!

[chrl42]

It's a very bitter tea...I can't imagine drinking this tea in the same mood as tea drinking...people also drink tea for medicinal purpose.

I don't quite follow this tea...or maybe I don't like a bitterness

[Teaism]

Yes this is bitterness at the extreme. I don't really enjoy it but have to force myself to drink over a period of time for education purpose. Use lesser tea leaves and shorter infusion if you want to drink it.
Another similar tea is Malaumit. Also an extremely bitter tea. It is use to treat sore troat.

Cheers!

[jayinhk]

It seems some people suggest only using one leaf per cup! It also works well with other teas to mellow the bitterness.

[daidokorocha]

Er, so I tried this wild bitter leaf tea and... they recommended "one teaspoon per 16 oz". I think I'll be upping that. Hardly a taste of bitterness and made for a light, refreshing cup, but I did buy this for bitterness!

[jayinhk]

I used the ol' Chinese medicine trick and added some sugar to the last infusion; much more palatable. That 10g in the gaiwan is going to last a week! lol

[daidokorocha]

I'm going to have get the large nails and give that a shot. I honestly think this Qing Shan Lu Shui (small leaf kuding) isn't very bitter at all. I see after I've finished it for awhile I get a more medicinal taste, but while drinking it all I get is a very light, minty salad vibe, arugula/rocket-type flavor. Very delicious and refreshing. I will probably buy this again. It is also one of the most beautiful leaves in the pot, in my opinion.