Made from leaf grown in Yi Wu, an area known for a resilient, full character that is low in bitterness and astringency, with honeyed, floral sweetness and strong aging potential. After years of natural storage in Guangzhou, Yi Wu sheng like this may show a deeper, more mellow side, though results depend on how it was kept. From ChangTai — a 2004 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Yuan Nian line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2004 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 380g cake · ChangTai Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The leaf is compressed into a 380g cake.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically amber to orange-amber for sheng of this age.
- Taste: On entry there is no astringency. Through the middle infusions, aged notes come forward over a balanced base.
- Mouthfeel & body: Expect a thick mouthfeel.
- Aftertaste: Some hui gan, the sweetness that returns after swallowing, is usual for sheng like this.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — worth reaching for once you have moved past being a newcomer.
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.
