Here is "7581" from CNNP, a 1994 ripe (shou) puerh in a 250g brick.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 1994 · Ripe (shou/shu) puerh · 250g brick · CNNP
- Compression & dry leaf: It is pressed into a 250g brick. The leaf itself shows an even, dark fermentation.
- Liquor: In the cup it shows a deep red color.
- Taste: The first infusions are mellow. The middle infusions are sweet.
- Mouthfeel & body: Expect a smooth and mellow mouthfeel.
- Aftertaste: The finish is calm and rounded rather than sharp.
- Best for: improving your tea experience, especially if you already know a few ripe puerh teas and want to taste more closely.
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. This tea was kept in traditional wet storage, which gives it a darker, mellower character than dry-stored tea of the same age.
A Note on Appearance
Not every brick 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.
