Wu Zi Deng Ke — “fivefold success” — is DaYi's auspicious sheng: five sons passing the exams, pressed into tea. Fine Meng Hai leaf, clear threads, silver hairs. The 2013 cake in the 150g size.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2013 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 150g cake · Menghai Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: It is pressed into a 150g cake. The dry leaf shows well-formed threads.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically golden to amber at this stage.
- Taste: The first infusions are mellow. Through the middle infusions, hints of jujube come forward over a sweet and rich base. Later steeps keep their flavor well.
- Mouthfeel & body: The texture is thick, smooth and rounded.
- Aftertaste: Look for a lingering sweetness after each cup.
- Best for: everyday drinking: an uncomplicated cup that newcomers can brew with confidence.
Brewing Guide
- Water: fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).
- How to brew:
- Add around 5g of tea for every 100ml.
- Give the leaves one quick rinse — cover with boiling water for about 5 seconds and discard. Then put the lid on and leave the leaves to open up for about 10 minutes.
- Start with 10–15 second steeps, lengthening by about 5 seconds each round.
- Pour the liquor into a sharing pitcher.
- Serve and resteep — sheng puerh goes many rounds.
- Think of this as a starting point rather than a rigid method. Try pouring high or low, fast or slow, and adapt to the season until it suits you. Brewing one tea at its best in any year, season, weather or place is a skill built over time — and that is the real goal.
Storage
Keep it in a ventilated, cool, dry spot, shielded from sunlight and strong odors (cooking spices, cigarette smoke). If you plan to age it long-term, paper or clay containers breathe better than airtight plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not all cakes develop these — the chances simply rise with longer storage.
- Small dark specks: naturally stored puerh can develop tiny dark specks on its wrapper or edges. They are harmless and brush off easily before brewing.
- Tea oil spots: yellowish spotting can occur from natural tea oils. This is not a flaw.
- Torn wrapper: minor tears or holes in the cotton wrapper sometimes happen in storage and transit. The tea itself is unaffected.
