Yi Wu, often called the queen of puerh, is known for softness and depth together: little bitterness or astringency, a long honeyed sweetness and excellent aging potential; this tea is made from its leaf. The leaf is wild-growing, which gives it a character of its own, less uniform than plantation tea. 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. A 2004 sheng (raw) puerh from ChangTai: "Chang Tai Hao - Ye Sheng Ji Pin - Yi Wu" (Wild Premium - Yi Wu), offered as a 250g tuo.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2004 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 250g tuo · ChangTai Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The leaf is tightly compressed into a 250g tuo.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically amber to orange-amber for sheng of this age.
- Taste: It opens mellow and soft from the first steep. The middle infusions are sweet.
- Mouthfeel & body: Expect a thick, smooth, soft mouthfeel.
- Aftertaste: After swallowing, a mild sweetness tends to come back in the throat (hui gan).
- Best for: improving your tea experience. Take your time with it — a good choice once you are no longer a drinker new to puerh.
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 tuo 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.
