Assortment Mini Pu-erh Tea Cake in Gift Pack

[Ritva]

Do you think these are any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Assortment-Top-Grad ... .m14.l1262
This is what they say: "Dragon Tea House is now offering six years aged top grade mini pu-erh with 8 flavours, 5 pieces each. They are all made by whole leaves. Cooked & uncooked".
They would make a lovely gift. I have a friend who has tasted some pu but it's mainly been mini tuos - which I know are not usually considered to be very high quality. She's not "serious" about drinking pu; she brews it western style and enjoys smooth taste. Do you think it would be better to buy her an assortment like above, some cake or maybe something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Haiwan-Lao-Cha ... 634.c0.m14

[betta]

Hard to say... because it is a matter of personal preference.
But the ripe puerh cake has a unique smell, which might be off for some people.
By judging your friend's preference to drink using western style, the mini puerh tuos may be a good choice. Besides, the mini tuo pack comprises both raw and ripe puerh. So, it's kind of a safer bet than the ripe brick.
In terms of quality, I am not so sure whether the ripe brick you mentioned is really of a better quality than the mini tuo.

[tony shlongini]

Those mini nuggets and tuos are almost always ghastly.

[Zanaspus]

Those mini nuggets and tuos are almost always ghastly.

+1

[beecrofter]

Minis do not tend to be the better teas but have been the introduction to pu-erh for many westerners.

I liked minis so well that upon learning they represented the low end of available quality I was launched into beengs, jin cha, fang cha, tuo cha and must now abandon all hope of a normal sane life.

[shogun89]

1st off, stay clear of mini's. Second, anyone that puts together a assortment of mini's in a little gift tin. . . you can pretty much guarantee that this is some kind of touristy gimmick. I would stay well back.

[tacobell]

I think it looks cute. Wonder if it comes with a diagram on the inside of the lid like the assorted chocolates do...

I agree with Tony that the mini Tuo's are gastly but I have only tried the cooked, and find cooked mostly gastly anyhow. Scott has a bag of raw mini's. Was thinking of getting some to leave in my locker at work in case I have a tea emergency:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Haiwan-Raw-Mini-Tuo ... 5182wt_956

[tony shlongini]

I think it looks cute. Wonder if it comes with a diagram on the inside of the lid like the assorted chocolates do...

I agree with Tony that the mini Tuo's are gastly but I have only tried the cooked, and find cooked mostly gastly anyhow. Scott has a bag of raw mini's. Was thinking of getting some to leave in my locker at work in case I have a tea emergency:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Haiwan-Raw-Mini-Tuo ... 5182wt_956

I have a few of those I can send you. You won't be thanking me, though.

[entropyembrace]

neither...I'd really recommend going for a decent cake or tuo from a reputable factory. They're not all expensive the younger ones are usually pretty affordable and can be quite enjoyable western style.

[Ritva]

Thanks for your opinions! I also read the thread about best mini cakes, and it seems to be common opinion that they are not worth much. Except the cuteness factor...
Betta, my friend does like shu pu in spite of the earthy smell. I think it's actually easier for a novice to drink shu than sheng. Shu tastes nice and smooth even though the smell is somewhat peculiar. Sheng, in my opinion, is more an acquired taste - which I haven't mastered yet. I have been drinking pu erh for relatively short time and tasted maybe dozen shu and sheng - some of which were reasonably high quality from 1980's and 1990's - and still find sheng not so enjoyable. My boyfriend likes it though, so I think it's just my taste buds and not my brewing skills or anything like that.

[tacobell]

Thank you for the offer Mr. Shlongini but would not want to put you out the postage from the Isle of Malta for so trivial a pursuit as miniature pu.

[tony shlongini]

Thank you for the offer Mr. Shlongini but would not want to put you out the postage from the Isle of Malta for so trivial a pursuit as miniature pu.