Where to buy??

[am632]

Hi,

I live in the UK and I would like a couple of reasonable sized good quality cakes that I can keep to age. I would like to keep 1 for its potential value in time, and the other to drink 'over the years'

I dont know alot about the different kinds of this peticular type of tea so any useful information will be gr8 thanks.

I know it needs to be nice, and quality to begin with and expect to pay a price - but at the same time I dont want to go over the top. Maby a few different options/suggestions?

Thanks

[Proinsias]

For pu'er in the UK there's pretty much only one option, Essence of Tea. As luck would have it, if you're looking for something of good quality to age it's also probably one of the best sources in the western world. Nada, who owns it, has chosen the maocha in person and is currently having it processed. This years cakes should be availble soon and there are serious pu heads in Europe and the US who have them on preorder.

An other option may be well known factory blends, like the Menghai 7542, straight from China. Yunnan Sourcing is the place to go. These are likely to be far more affordable.

If you have a budget in mind it may be worth mentioning. Nada's cakes will likely be far more expensive than a Menghai recipe cake. I'm sure others will chip in, I'd be surpirsed if they advise against Nada for something that will keep it's value in time.

As for size, if your buying cakes I'd stick with the standard 357g cakes if you're on;y buying a few. If you decide to go with the Yunnan Sourcing option it might be worth thinking about a few tuo's - 100g 'bird's nest' pressings.

I would imagine sheng/raw/uncooked pu'er is what you have in mind but it might be worth picking up a cake or two of shu/cooked pu'er if you're buying a few. Many would recommend Menghai classics as reliable if you are going down this route - they should be pretty cheap.

[nonc_ron]

Hi,
I live in the UK -----------------------------------------quality cakes ---------------------------- value in time------------------------------
any useful information-----------------Thanks

Hi,
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[am632]

Thanks for the messages guys, this is really helpful info, i appreciate you getting back to me.