Made from leaf grown in Nan Nuo in Meng Hai, an area known for the balanced side of Meng Hai, sweet and fragrant with only a light, passing bitterness. At this age, Nan Nuo sheng is often starting to soften, though storage plays a part. From ChenShengHao — a 2017 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Ban Po Lao Zhai line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2017 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 357g cake · ChenShengHao Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 357g cake, tightly pressed. The dry leaf shows neat, tight threads and visible buds.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically golden to amber at this stage.
- Taste: The early infusions show only a light bitterness and slight astringency, balanced by a natural sweetness. The middle steeps bring out honey and sugarcane over a floral background, with a sweet and balanced taste. Its layers unfold gradually over the session.
- Mouthfeel & body: Expect a thick and smooth mouthfeel.
- Aftertaste: After each sip there is a returning sweetness (hui gan), easy salivation and a long finish.
- Best for: improving your tea experience. Brew it attentively and follow how it changes; a natural step up for a first-time puerh drinker who wants to go further.
Brewing Guide
Water: 100°C (212°F), fully boiling.
- Preheat the vessel; add around 5g per 100ml.
- One rinse to open the leaves, then a covered rest of about 10 minutes.
- Steep 10–15 seconds at first, adding ~5 seconds per round.
- Always pour out completely into a fairness cup before drinking.
- Keep steeping — sheng rewards patience with many rounds.
These are guidelines to start from, not rules to obey. Experiment with your pour, your pace, and the season; the same leaf tastes different on a rainy day. The goal is the skill to brew it well whenever, wherever.
Storage
Give it air, coolness and dryness; keep it out of the sun and clear of potent odors (spices, smoke). For multi-year aging, paper or unglazed clay lets the tea breathe in a way sealed plastic never will.
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.
