Surprised this tea tasted so good. First time buyer as my usual tea was temporarily out of stock. Has a bright but mellow taste for me. I hope I can get multiple infusions that taste the same. We shall see.
I have bought this one over and over. I fear someday it be gone ! Amazingly smooth, rich and earthy. Dark and mysterious gorgeous color. Cant over brew this one. Make it a think and strong as you like. Not a hint of bitterness or astringency. Just a rich and full bodied cup in the morning. Makes great iced tea too.
This is one of the finest ive had. Really smooth, rich and deep. Gorgeous Chestnut Brown color. Bag smells like raisins and fruit. Not at all bitter but creamy and thick mouth feel. My overall favorite of my 100s of teas on my shelf. ! Will be buying many more. You can make many cups from a small amount. Its so good I just kept drinking it till I almost got sick from so much tea ! I think it really is well aged and ripe. NO tastes of dirt yet woodsy and earthy. Heaven in a cup is what this stuff is. Pure Zen.
Robert Shippy
November 2024
With all respect to other people's opinions, many of the criticisms are part of the special nature of lao cha tou. The fact that these little nuggets take time to open means they're very forgiving on brew time and if you are brewing gong fu style, they will give 15-20 brews easily. Traditional pan on stove brewing with topping off with water all day long works as well (with larger quantities of tea). This particular batch is mild and pleasant, not fishy or too barnyard in flavor. While I've had some more nuanced and complex versions, this well aged version is very approachable, produces many infusions of medium thick, relaxing and digestive body sensation, and is a terrific value.
Lindsey De Wit
January 2024
Interesting Pu'erh, takes a long time to open up even after several steeps in a gaiwan. Still, has a pleasant fullness and body. It's by no means a new favorite but it's not terrible. Main tasting notes are earth and mushroom.
love how it looks (much better than on the pic) - but it's way too bitter for me
Compared to the other pu'erh I got from this site, I find it to be the least enjoyable, very hard to get the nuggets to open up and start steeping well, and the first 5 steeps or so are weak. It may be because I am using a gaiwan, and not leaving it in a teapot for minutes straight, but this style of pu'erh isn't great for my set up.
Once it opens up, the flavour is pleasant and light, with a bit of the extra tannin feeling and thickness on the tongue that ripe pu'erh gives
I enjoyed the tea, but on multiple occasions I've found hair in the tea itself, and it's certainly not mine. Hopefully other batches are alright but I won't be buying again.
