This A+++ Grade "Nuo Xiang" (Glutinous Rice) Puerh is a curated blend of two-year-aged Shou Puerh and the finely chopped leaves of Strobilanthes tonkinensis Lindau.
1. The Botanical Variable (Strobilanthes tonkinensis)
Constraint: The ratio of herb to tea must be precise. Excessive herb creates a "medicinal" bitterness; too little results in a weak aroma. The A+++ grade indicates a balanced ratio where the rice scent complements, rather than masks, the "mellow and thick" Shou Puerh.
2. The Compression Variable (6g Brick)
Relationship: Because the tea is pressed, it maintains its freshness longer than loose leaf "Nuo Xiang" tea. However, it requires a slightly longer "resting" time during the first brew to allow the brick to unfurl.
3. The Age Variable (2-Year Aged Base)
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2023 · Ripe (shou/shu) puerh · 6g brick · KingTeaMall
This herb, indigenous to Yunnan, is naturally infused with an aroma reminiscent of steamed glutinous rice. Pressed into convenient 6g mini bricks, this tea offers a thick, mellow, and aromatic experience, perfect for daily sessions or travel.
Reasoning: Two years is enough time for the "Wo Dui" (piling) funk to subside, ensuring the "Nuo Xiang" fragrance has a clean, neutral canvas to express itself.
Best for: everyday drinking in relaxed daily sessions, and a good pick for novices.
Brewing Guide
Water: rolling boil, 100°C (212°F).
- Rinse teaware with hot water; use roughly 5g of tea for each 100ml of vessel.
- Rinse the leaves twice, then cover and rest about 10 minutes to let them open.
- Begin with 10–15 second steeps, lengthening each by about 5 seconds.
- Decant fully into a sharing pitcher each time.
- Enjoy — ripe puerh 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 brick shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.
- Bamboo powder (zhu fen): a natural sign of traditional bamboo-husk packing. In Guangdong's warm, humid climate, tiny bamboo insects can make their home in the husk, nibbling the husk and cotton paper wrapper while leaving the tea itself untouched. What they leave behind is a fine powder, seen only on certain teas and more often on aged ones. It is harmless to hygiene; a few strokes with a clean toothbrush or soft brush before brewing is all it takes.
- 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.
