1970 Jiang Chen brick from Bana Tea co.

[Drax]

Hrm, gasninja would be a good reference point here, as he said he used 10g in 115 mL. Gasninja, did you get any harshness when brewing the tea? And for reference, do you remember what your steeping times were, roughly?

[gasninja]

I didn't get what I would call harshness from this tea but I think I understand what ge-off-ree is refering to. This sort of harshness coming from the coarse leaf grade. This is definitly a very unrefined pu-erh. But if it was refined, it would be a couple of thousand dollars instead of a couple hundred/.

[needaTEAcher]

How's the energy off this tea? I know folks talk up and down about cha qi, saying it is real or not real and whatnot, but in m experience, teas this old tend to leave me with a unique high, and I am curious to know what those of you who have tried it feel like afterwards.

[gasninja]

Not particulary exciting given its age.

[futurebird]

I'm tasting this today.

It smells very sweet, mild, with a distant hint of old books. Brewed to an amber-brown.
The taste in contrast to the smell is smooth, after wards there is a slight buzz, very pleasant. Like the taste of pepper before it begins to burn, just the first hit of buzzing in the mouth.

This tea takes me to a nice place. I will buy it again. Not worth getting a brick since it'd only get worse if it tasted any "older" --

[wyardley]

This tea teaks me to a nice place. I will buy it again. Not worth getting a brick since it'd only get worse if it tasted any "older" --

The taste won't get "older" in the way you're thinking

[futurebird]

how so?

[brandon]

The tea is already on the weaker side, heading towards flat, sweet water. Right now there is a hint of body, some jujube and plenty of sweetness and smoothness that make it worth your while, but I decided against buying more. I don't think further aging will be kind.

[futurebird]

Brandon do you tase the "pepper" that I noticed? How would you describe that sensation?

I must give this tea credit for giving a lot of infsuions. I've lost count, but this has gotta be the 10th... though at this point despite the brew looking almost as dark as the first few infusion I must agree with Brandon about the "sweet water" blandness.

Though I liked it in the earlier infusions enough that I don't really want to run out. So I'm off to order some more.

Hmm. this could be the perfect thing for the tea party...

[wyardley]

My point is just, the taste of this tea is primarily due to traditional storage (that is, humid storage, followed with extended drier storage). Storage for shorter periods of time in a climate that's not excessively hot or humid (which is the case for most of our living environments, not matter where we live) is unlikely to make the tea change noticeably over, say, a 5 or 10 year period. Also, with older teas, you can store in a closed bag (vs. in a more open environment) to further slow down the aging process.

I would, though, recommend airing the tea out a bit after breaking up, but before brewing, if you know you'll be making it far enough in advance to do that.

[futurebird]

Ok, that makes sense.

[gasninja]

This tea does have some serious durability I dont think I have ever fully kicked a pot of this tea. Ive had 40+ infusion sessions.

[TomVerlain]

this is a bit off topic, I went to their site to look around, and saw this

Customers have made these comments about Chen Xiang Aged Ripe Pu-erh: "This tea is so mellow and easy on my stomach...I drink an average of 20 grams of this tea a day." -- J.W.

that left me a bit speachless.......

[futurebird]

and I thought I inhaled tea... that much shu?

shu tends to give me "interesting" breath... I wonder if this guys has any issues...

[needaTEAcher]

...Like the taste of pepper before it begins to burn, just the first hit of buzzing in the mouth....

Interesting! I have talked to a number of folks about the pepper taste in teas. I tend to pick it off drier stored teas produced in dry years. Kind of a bell pepper, almost spicy flavor.

Some of those more knowledgable than I have mentioned this spicy flavor as highly desired, and some have mentioned it as something bad, to be avoided. Personally, I love it. I'll buy this tea and write a review eventually.

10 tasters, 11 opinion!