Yong De in Lin Cang is known for a complex, rich character, with sweetness and bitterness in balance; this tea is made from its leaf. At this age, Yong De sheng is often starting to soften, though storage plays a part. From DaMing — a 2014 sheng (raw) puerh brick in the Yong De Cha Zhuan line.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2014 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 250g brick · DaMing
- Compression & dry leaf: The tea comes as a 250g brick.
- Liquor: Expect a clear, bright liquor, typically golden to amber at this stage.
- Taste: The first infusions are fresh. Once the leaf opens up, expect smoky notes in a sweet cup.
- Mouthfeel & body: In the mouth it is light-footed and clean rather than heavy.
- Aftertaste: The finish is fairly clean, often with a touch of hui gan.
- Best for: everyday drinking without fuss. Suitable for beginners as well as regular sheng drinkers.
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 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.
