The "Yuan Ye Xiang" is made from wild-growing leaf, so expect a less uniform, more individual character than plantation tea. Well aged, it comes across as smooth and thick. From MengYang — a 2004 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Yuan Ye Xiang - Gu Cha Wang line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2004 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 357g cake · MengYang
- Compression & dry leaf: The leaf is compressed into a 357g cake.
- Liquor: Expect a deep-amber cup.
- Taste: The first steeps are mellow, with only a light bitterness. Once the leaf opens up, expect floral, fruity, woody, earthy and medicinal notes and hints of camphor in a sweet cup. There is more to notice as you keep brewing.
- Mouthfeel & body: The texture is thick, smooth and rounded.
- Aftertaste: Look for a returning sweetness (hui gan) and a long finish after each cup.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a beginner.
Brewing Guide
Water: 100°C (212°F), fully boiling.
- Preheat the vessel; add around 5g per 100ml.
- One rinse to open the leaves, then a covered rest of about 10 minutes.
- Steep 10–15 seconds at first, adding ~5 seconds per round.
- Always pour out completely into a fairness cup before drinking.
- Keep steeping — sheng rewards patience with many rounds.
These are guidelines to start from, not rules to obey. Experiment with your pour, your pace, and the season; the same leaf tastes different on a rainy day. The goal is the skill to brew it well whenever, wherever.
Storage
Give it air, coolness and dryness; keep it out of the sun and clear of potent odors (spices, smoke). For multi-year aging, paper or unglazed clay lets the tea breathe in a way sealed plastic never will.
A Note on Appearance
Not every cake 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.
