please educate on pu-erh.

[chef07172]

Well I love tea. I am quite familiar with most teas except pu-erh tea. I understand some basics about it but have yet to try it. What kind of flavors does one get from these teas? What would be a good starting point?

[TIM]

The Four Main Charaters of Puerh：
1. Qing (tea like oolong)
2. Camphor
3. Bamboo
4. Orchid

[shogun89]

That is a very difficult question to answer, you kinda just need to experience it for yourself. In the mean time educate yourself on the basics of it. Heres a great place to get started.
http://www.pu-erh.net/

[brose]

As far as cooked goes the I think the Menghai v93 is a nice cheap introduction if you do not have easy access to other kinds to try. If you do not like it they are small and you are not stuck with a large quantity of tea. However tempting, I would avoid the small one time use tuo's for an introduction, they seem to range from acceptable to terrible swamp sludge.
It looks like puerhshop has some, but I have never purchased from them, getting it from a US source can save some serous $ on shipping unless you plan on buying large quantities.

[chef07172]

As far as cooked goes the I think the Menghai v93 is a nice cheap introduction if you do not have easy access to other kinds to try. If you do not like it they are small and you are not stuck with a large quantity of tea. However tempting, I would avoid the small one time use tuo's for an introduction, they seem to range from acceptable to terrible swamp sludge.
It looks like puerhshop has some, but I have never purchased from them, getting it from a US source can save some serous $ on shipping unless you plan on buying large quantities.

Where would be a good place for the v93?

[nickE]

Where would be a good place for the v93?

v93 can be found here for pretty cheap shipping.
http://www.jas-etea.com/products/2008-M ... m-tuo.html

Edit: fixed link

[alan logan]

this one is easy to find.
eg, yunnan sourcing has 2009 and 2008 ; jkteashop has 2009 ( on the menghai page ; for former years you can ask them by email, they may have other years not displayed on their site). jkteashop has very good contact and service, shipping is fast and cheap. for only 100g jkteashop is a better pick regarding shipping fees. Good prices too (this tuocha is cheaper on their site).
however you might want to try the bulan ripe sample (peak pu er) : much much better ! different type of leaf makes the difference in quality too.

[chef07172]

would you recommend the 2008 or 2009 over the 2006? http://www.tuochatea.com/tuocha/dayi_v9 ... tuocha.htm

[alan logan]

the 2009 obviously has more wo dui flavors left than previous years. not that much though. same for the 2008, maybe with a little less wo dui left.

this 2006 seems to me a bit expensive for a product of that range (even though is is 250g). but maybe it is the overage market retail price. Yet it may be expensive because of the "fame" of the 2005.

if you want to get your hands on the "famous" one (that "won first prize in the 13th Shanghai National Tea Culture Competition" --a bit of marketing legend sexes it up:D ) then try to get your hands on the 2005 : you can email to jennifer from jkteashop, if I remember well they can sell you a v93 of that year.
you can also ask jennifer is she has 2006 and if so compare prices.

[shogun89]

Stay away from the 2006 version

[TwoPynts]

Listening in too.

Thanks for the tips!

[Katy1977]

I'm also learning, I actually drink pu-erh from teabags lol! TwoPynts, I love that tiny little teapot, it is too cute!

Katy1977

[TwoPynts]

I like my tea in small doses.

Actually, it is supposedly the world's smallest functional ceramic teapot.
http://yeinjee.com/asianpop/world-smallest-teapot/

[Katy1977]

I like my tea in small doses.

Actually, it is supposedly the world's smallest functional ceramic teapot.
http://yeinjee.com/asianpop/world-smallest-teapot/

Thanks for the link,very interesting, and again, cute!

Katy1977

[debunix]

the world's smallest functional ceramic teapot.

I want I want I want!

Have always had a yen for miniature things. Could probably fit one silver needle needle in there, rolled up, maybe? Would love to see it in use, to prove the 'functional' claim!