How many cups of pu-erh do you drink?

[ClarG]

This is not meant to be a bragging or boasting thread.

I'm just wondering how many cups of pu-erh do most people here drink? I had about six eight ounce glasses or mugs of pu-erh today. Is that too much? I do not own a gaiwan, don't they usually hold 4oz of liquid? Or are they all different?

[the_economist]

What's more important is the number of grams used.

[miig]

Hm, depends: The more time I have, the better the quality I use. But I infuse at least 10 times, usually rather 15-20, and my pot got around 130ml.
But for that I don't take so many leaves, because it would be too much... and i like the tea not too strong.
Also, for that amount I take two, three hours.. it wouldn't feel well to drink that in a short period of time

[ClarG]

OK when I make pu-erh I use 1 teaspoon. That may be conservative but pu-erh is expensive and I am just getting into it. Sometimes I will use 1 toucha or bird's nest.

[miig]

Yes, why not? Better quality tea does yield a lot of infusions! What kinds are your favorites?

[ClarG]

Yes, why not? Better quality tea does yield a lot of infusions! What kinds are your favorites?

I mainly drink ripe pu-erh. In toucha/bird's nest form, caked pu-erh which I do not know the names of since I can't read Mandarin or Cantonese, and for Christmas I recieved black pu-erh caked in a Mandarin orange (see link: http://www.nmteaco.com/Black-Pu-Erh-Man ... p_233.html), and I have some loose pu-erh called young pu-erh but I am not sure what type that is.

[wyardley]

Are they full-size tuo, or mini (single-serving)? Usually the mini-tuo are not that great quality.

[the_economist]

And you're drinking 6 of these 5g servings each day? That's quite a lot of leaf. I would switch away from the mini-tuo.

I usually don't exceed 10g a day but on special occasions that can go up several multiples.

[ClarG]

And you're drinking 6 of these 5g servings each day? That's quite a lot of leaf. I would switch away from the mini-tuo.

I usually don't exceed 10g a day but on special occasions that can go up several multiples.

No I do not drink this much tea daily. Today I had 6 cups of the orange black pu-erh. Usually I drink 2-3 cups or 8oz glasses of Darjeeling or Assam black tea, or different types of oolong or green teas in a day, and a lot of water.

[debunix]

It's too much if you get the shakes from all the caffeine, your bladder can't keep up, or your head is swimming in tea.

I rarely start more with fresh leaves more than 4 times a day, and rarely drink pu twice in one day. And usually it's less than 5 grams of tea per set of infusions, unless I'm bulk brewing to share. The total tea liquid I'm drinking varies from 1 to 2 liters on most days, most of that quite dilute.

[the_economist]

A teaspoon is not that much tea leaf, maybe 2g or so. You're perfectly fine drinking those amounts.

By the way, if you're looking for cheaper options for the mini-tuos (although I full agree with wyardley's observation about their general quality being lower), you should consider alternatives from yunnansourcing (they have a US based website and a direct from China website with more offerings).

[ClarG]

Are they full-size tuo, or mini (single-serving)? Usually the mini-tuo are not that great quality.

I am not sure? What would the size of a full-size toucha be, v.s. the size of a mini single serving toucha?

Either way it does not bother me since the very first pu-erh I had was a miniature bird's nest pu-erh at a cafe and bookstore in college.

[ClarG]

It's too much if you get the shakes from all the caffeine, your bladder can't keep up, or your head is swimming in tea.

OK thanks. That does not happen to me with tea. It does with 2-3 cups of coffee or even strong espresso.

[wyardley]

Are they full-size tuo, or mini (single-serving)? Usually the mini-tuo are not that great quality.

I am not sure? What would the size of a full-size toucha be, v.s. the size of a mini single serving toucha?

Tuo are usually 100g or 250g, though there are other sizes. Like with most compressed tea, you break off what you're going to brew, rather than brewing the whole thing.

[Tead Off]

Are they full-size tuo, or mini (single-serving)? Usually the mini-tuo are not that great quality.

I am not sure? What would the size of a full-size toucha be, v.s. the size of a mini single serving toucha?

Either way it does not bother me since the very first pu-erh I had was a miniature bird's nest pu-erh at a cafe and bookstore in college.

Of course, everybody has their own perceptions regarding tuocha and quality. Personally, I will probably not buy any more tuocha no matter what the size. 9 out of 10 are not so good in my experience. Many are smoky and leaf quality is compromised. There are exceptions, but few and far between, IMO. It's much better to buy a cake of good quality puerh. It will give you more pleasure in the long run. Even spending $100 for a 357g cake, can give you 100 sessions drinking alone at 3.5g per 100ml pot. If you think 3.5g of tea won't do it for you, then the tea is not of a high quality.