Jing Mai old-tree (gu shu) leaf gives this ripe puerh a cleaner, sweeter and more fragrant character than most. Time in storage may round it out further; how much depends on conditions. From YunGui — a 2006 ripe (shou/shu) puerh tuo in the Jing Mai Gu Cha line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2006 · Ripe (shou/shu) puerh · 100g tuo · YunGui
- Compression & dry leaf: It is pressed into a 100g tuo. The leaf itself shows an even, dark fermentation.
- Liquor: In the cup it shows a deep red color.
- Taste: As a ripe puerh, it leans mellow and earthy rather than bitter.
- Mouthfeel & body: Smooth and mellow in the mouth, as ripe puerh usually is.
- Aftertaste: It ends smoothly, with a mellow sweetness left behind.
- Best for: everyday drinking at home or at work; those new to puerh will find it approachable.
Brewing Guide
Water: fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).
- Warm the pot and cups, then add about 5g of leaf per 100ml.
- Rinse twice with boiling water, then cover and let the leaves rest 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. Ripe 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 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.
