From XiaGuan — a 2008 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Jin Se 8100 line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2008 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 357g cake · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: It is a tightly pressed 357g cake. In the dry leaf you can see neat, tight threads and visible buds.
- Liquor: In the cup it is bright, typically amber to orange-amber for sheng of this age.
- Taste: The first infusions are mellow and fresh.
- Mouthfeel & body: The body comes across as smooth and mellow.
- Aftertaste: The finish should bring a little returning sweetness (hui gan).
- Best for: everyday drinking. It is forgiving to brew, so first-time puerh drinkers can start here.
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.
