Here is "Te Tuo" (Special Tuo) from XiaGuan, a 2024 sheng (raw) puerh in a 100g tuo.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2024 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 100g tuo · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: This tea is sold as a 100g tuo. In the dry leaf you can see visible buds, large, robust leaves and some stems.
- Liquor: In the cup it is golden yellow, as is usual for young sheng.
- Taste: The first steeps are full-flavored, with a strong bitterness. As the session goes on, it shows smoky notes and a sweet and rich profile.
- Mouthfeel & body: In the mouth it is light-footed and clean rather than heavy.
- Aftertaste: Swallow and you notice a returning sweetness (hui gan) and easy salivation.
- Best for: everyday drinking: an uncomplicated cup that those new to puerh can brew with confidence.
Brewing Guide
Water: rolling boil, 100°C (212°F).
- Rinse teaware with hot water; use roughly 5g of tea for each 100ml of vessel.
- Give the leaves one quick rinse, then cover and rest about 10 minutes to wake them up.
- Begin with 10–15 second steeps, lengthening each by about 5 seconds.
- Decant fully into a sharing pitcher each time.
- Enjoy — good sheng keeps giving for many infusions.
Use this as a starting point, not a fixed formula. Play with pour height and speed, and notice how the tea answers in different weather and seasons. Learning to brew one tea well anywhere, anytime is the real craft.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place with gentle airflow, out of direct light and away from strong smells such as cooking spices or smoke. If you plan to age it for years, breathable paper or clay storage suits puerh better than airtight plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not every tuo shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.
- Small dark specks: tiny dark specks may appear on the wrapper or tea edges of naturally stored puerh. They are harmless and can be brushed off before brewing.
- Tea oil spots: yellowish spots may appear and can come from natural tea oils. They are not a flaw.
- Torn wrapper: small tears or holes in the cotton paper may happen during storage and handling. The tea inside is unaffected.
