From XiaGuan — a 2011 sheng (raw) puerh golden melon in the Jin Gua Gong Cha line. Tribute-grade (gong ting) leaf — mostly tiny buds — brews silky, with honeyed sweetness over a gentle backbone.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2011 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 250g golden melon · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: This tea is sold as a 250g melon-shaped pressing.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, bright, golden cup.
- Taste: From the first steep the taste is fresh. The middle infusions are sweet and rich. Its layers unfold gradually over the session.
- Mouthfeel & body: On the palate it is rounded.
- Aftertaste: After each sip there is a lingering sweetness.
- Best for: improving your tea experience. Brew it attentively and follow how it changes; a natural step up for a beginner who wants to go further.
Brewing Guide
Water: fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).
- Warm the pot and cups, then add about 5g of leaf per 100ml.
- Rinse the leaves once with boiling water and let them rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
- Steep the first rounds for 10–15 seconds, adding about 5 seconds with each round.
- Pour every steep into a fairness pitcher before serving.
- Serve. Sheng puerh resteeps well for many rounds.
Treat these as starting points rather than fixed rules. Try high or low pours, fast or slow, and brew in different seasons to find the method that suits you. Brewing the same tea well in any year, season, weather or place takes practice, and that skill is the real goal.
Storage
Keep the tea ventilated, cool and dry, away from sunlight and strong odors (kitchen spices, smoke). For long-term aging, paper or clay containers breathe better than sealed plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not every golden melon 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.
