New to Pu

[Dresden]

Hey all...

Let me start by saying I've never had a puerh before.

I am in the process of ordering some wares from puerhshop.com and was feeling a little adventurous. I'm wondering if there were some samples you all might be able to recommend from them.

Thank for the help,
Mike

[bearsbearsbears]

{EDIT! You can see my advice for pu'er beginners and sample suggestions on my blog. Click on the "New to Pu'er" tab}

My "beginner's picks" from Puerhshop are below. Feel free to PM me for suggestions from other sources.

Shu/Ripe/Cooked:

• Dayi 2007 Yin Xiang 58g Sample $5:
  http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=572 My thoughts are here

• Dayi 2008 Hong Yun Small Cake 100g $8.85:
  http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=791

Sheng/Unripe/Raw/Green:

• American Hao 2008 Nannuo Mountain 58g Sample ($8):
  http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=624 My thoughts are here

• American Hao 2009 Yiwu Mountain Mahei Village 20g Sample ($4.98)
  http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=855 My thoughts are here.

[bryan_drinks_tea]

I agree with what Bears said, but don't be afraid to try a sample or two of the standard menghai shu and sheng offernings. 7542, 8582, 7262 are places to start, and they are relatively inexspensive.

[tatatizia]

Personally I don't like very much the taste of young sheng puerh and I don't like the young sheng of Menghai and the Peacock collection : in general they are too astringent and strong for me. But I think it will be acceptable for you to try something from 2002 to 2005 (not too young and not too expensive), especially I like the Xiaguan if it's not too much smoked (read "Wild Ancient Trees" ) or the 2000 CNNP. Good also sheng Xiaguan tuocha medium-aged. Unfortunatly I didn't see these cakes in the samples of puerhshop. For shu I like very much the little and strong Gong Ting Menghai.