Rather dry shu cake, easy to crumble

[skilfautdire]

What are the characteristics of an organic 2009 shu puerh round cake that's easy to crumble around the perimeter for about 5 cm ? I have not much experience with shu puerh, the previous one I've seen being tightly compressed as the sheng cakes I've seen so far, requiring a knife to break out something to steep.

This shu cake, OTOH, simply crumbles and when not, a slight pression breaks it apart further. The center seems to be more solid.

What does these characteristics tells about the tea and the processing it underwent ?

I see one good side to it: no need to use a knife to break it apart hence the leaves can remain more as they were.

Thanks for any comments.

[Zpro]

My cake did seem rather loose and unkempt - suggesting bug damage.

quote from drumhum in the nearby ''bugs in tea'' topic (2nd page), and I cannot assure the validity of this quote nor do I question it, i'm just stating what he said. (might not even apply to you...)

I hope for you that it is not the problem, but I think the looseness and level of compression also rundown from the level of fermentation and perhaps the intensity of the physical compression. Maybe something to do with humidity? I honestly don't really know...

[thanks]

As far as I know, it's just the method of compression. Usually there's no point in loose stone compression for shu as it's meant for immediate drinkability within the first few years of it's pressing, but sometimes you'll see premium ripes getting the star treatment. I honestly can't see how it could be bug damage without you noticing any of the other obvious symptoms, and the fact that it's from 09. Also I've seen cakes compressed the same way with all different levels of fermentation and quality of initial maocha, so I really think fermentation has nothing to do with compression.

For an example of loosely compressed shu, take a look at this Dayi cake from 07; http://cgi.ebay.com/Dragon-Pole-Menghai ... 335289db6b

They also made an 09 version.

[TomVerlain]

does it crumble to dust ? or come apart into leaves and pieces of leaves ? It might just be lightly processed and then lightly compacted. A pic would help. Since shu is going to be pretty damp when put into cakes, they tend to be dense. My 7262 can be pried apart in layers, but I have a haiwan cake that is like asphalt.

[hop_goblin]

It's generally indicative of compression method and humidity levels. There is really nothing to worry about. actually, its been my experience that most pu will tend to loosen at the edges given enough time.