It is made from old-tree (gu shu) leaf, which tends to brew thicker and last longer across steeps than plantation leaf. As a young tea, it can be expected to taste fresh and energetic. This 500g cake is Meng Ku RongShi's "Qiao Mu Wang" (Arbor King), a sheng (raw) puerh from 2019.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2019 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 500g cake · MengKu Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The leaf is tightly compressed into a 500g cake. In the dry leaf you can see neat, tight threads and visible buds.
- Liquor: The liquor is golden yellow, as is usual for young sheng.
- Taste: Early on you get only a light bitterness and slight astringency, balanced by a natural sweetness. Through the middle infusions, floral notes come forward over a sweet and balanced base. There is more to notice as you keep brewing.
- Mouthfeel & body: A sheng like this usually feels brisk and clean in the mouth.
- Aftertaste: Look for a returning sweetness (hui gan), easy salivation and a long finish after each cup.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a first-time puerh drinker.
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 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.
