The "Jin Zhu Shan" uses old-tree (gu shu) leaf, which usually gives more body and a longer finish than plantation leaf. Aged sheng can turn smoother and woodier over time, but storage makes a big difference. Here is "Jin Zhu Shan - Ye Sheng - Qian Jia Feng" (Jinzhushan Mountain - Wild Cake - Group Version) from ChangTai, a 2005 sheng (raw) puerh in a 400g cake.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2005 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 400g cake · ChangTai Tea Factory
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 400g cake.
- Liquor: In the cup it is typically amber to orange-amber for sheng of this age.
- Taste: The first steeps bring a strong bitterness. The flavor shifts a little from steep to steep.
- Mouthfeel & body: The body comes across as full-bodied.
- Aftertaste: Look for a returning sweetness (hui gan) after each cup.
- Best for: improving your tea experience; it rewards slower brewing and is a good next step after your first few sheng teas.
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 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.
