Its old-tree (gu shu) leaf from Bu Lang in Meng Hai brings this ripe puerh a thick, full body and a deep, lasting finish. From XiaGuan — a 2017 ripe (shou/shu) puerh cake in the Dong Fang Zhi Zhu - Bu Lang Gu Shu line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2017 · Ripe (shou/shu) puerh · 357g cake · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 357g cake. The leaf itself shows well-formed threads and an even, dark fermentation.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, red cup.
- Taste: From the first steep the taste is mellow. Once the leaf opens up, expect hints of plum in a sweet and rich cup. Each round shows a slightly different side of it.
- Mouthfeel & body: In the mouth it feels full-bodied, smooth and mellow.
- Aftertaste: The aftertaste brings a returning sweetness (hui gan) and a long finish.
- Best for: improving your tea experience; it rewards slower brewing and is a good next step after your first few ripe puerh teas.
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 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.
