{"product_id":"2009-xiaguan-mei-hua-plum-cake-125g-puerh-raw-tea-sheng-cha","title":"2009 XiaGuan \"Mei Hua\" (Plum) Cake 125g Puerh Raw Tea Sheng Cha","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom XiaGuan — a 2009 sheng (raw) puerh cake in the Mei Hua line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2009 · Sheng (raw) puerh · 125g cake · XiaGuan Tea Factory\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompression \u0026amp; dry leaf:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a 125g cake with a firm, tight compression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiquor:\u003c\/strong\u003e In the cup the color runs from amber to orange, clear, with a thick look.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry there is some bitterness, balanced by a natural sweetness. As the session goes on, it shows smoky and woody notes and hints of plum and a sweet profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel \u0026amp; body:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the palate it is thick, smooth and rounded.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAftertaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e Look for a returning sweetness (hui gan), plenty of salivation and a long finish after each cup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e everyday drinking: an uncomplicated cup that novices can brew with confidence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully boiling, 100°C (212°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarm the pot and cups, then add about 5g of leaf per 100ml.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse the leaves once with boiling water and let them rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteep the first rounds for 10–15 seconds, adding about 5 seconds with each round.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePour every steep into a fairness pitcher before serving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServe. Sheng puerh resteeps well for many rounds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep 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. Kept in dry storage, which preserves a cleaner, brighter character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on Appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot every cake shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBamboo powder (zhu fen):\u003c\/strong\u003e a natural sign of traditional bamboo-husk packing. In Guangdong's warm, humid climate, tiny bamboo insects can make their home in the husk, nibbling the husk and cotton paper wrapper while leaving the tea itself untouched. What they leave behind is a fine powder, seen only on certain teas and more often on aged ones. It is harmless to hygiene; a few strokes with a clean toothbrush or soft brush before brewing is all it takes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTea oil spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e yellowish spots may appear and can come from natural tea oils. They are not a flaw.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorn wrapper:\u003c\/strong\u003e small tears or holes in the cotton paper may happen during storage and handling. The tea inside is unaffected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"KingTea","offers":[{"title":"Individual Cake","offer_id":48261042897126,"sku":"KTM-48261042897126","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Cakes","offer_id":48261057741030,"sku":"KTM-48261057741030","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Box (8pcs)","offer_id":48261042929894,"sku":"KTM-48261042929894","price":121.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/7883\/7863\/files\/2009-xiaguan-mei-hua-plum-cake-125g-puerh-raw-tea-sheng-cha.jpg?v=1792225522","url":"https:\/\/kingteamall.com\/zh\/products\/2009-xiaguan-mei-hua-plum-cake-125g-puerh-raw-tea-sheng-cha","provider":"King Tea Mall","version":"1.0","type":"link"}