From XiaGuan — a 2009 sheng (raw) puerh brick in the Yun Nan Fang Cha line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2009 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 125g brick · XiaGuan Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 125g brick, tightly pressed. In the dry leaf you can see neat, tight threads and some stems.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, bright liquor, typically amber to orange-amber for sheng of this age.
- Taste: On entry there is a strong bitterness and marked astringency, balanced by a natural sweetness. Once the leaf opens up, expect honey over a smoky background in a sweet and balanced cup.
- Mouthfeel & body: The body comes across as smooth.
- Aftertaste: After each sip there is a returning sweetness (hui gan) and a long finish.
- Best for: everyday drinking, and a comfortable place to start for those new to puerh.
Brewing Guide
Water: fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).
- Warm the pot and cups, then add about 5g of leaf per 100ml.
- Rinse the leaves once with boiling water and let them rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
- Steep the first rounds for 10–15 seconds, adding about 5 seconds with each round.
- Pour every steep into a fairness pitcher before serving.
- Serve. Sheng puerh resteeps well for many rounds.
Treat these as starting points rather than fixed rules. Try high or low pours, fast or slow, and brew in different seasons to find the method that suits you. Brewing the same tea well in any year, season, weather or place takes practice, and that skill is the real goal.
Storage
Keep the tea ventilated, cool and dry, away from sunlight and strong odors (kitchen spices, smoke). For long-term aging, paper or clay containers breathe better than sealed plastic.
A Note on Appearance
Not every brick 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.
