Winter Season’s Tea Club
Dear tea lovers,
In this Winter tea club box ,we’d like to introduce Puerh tea, one of the most distinctive and fascinating styles of tea in the world. Puerh comes exclusively from Yunnan, China, and if you’ve never tried it before, its flavor may surprise you, as it is quite different from other types of tea.
Puerh is often described as earthy, but its character varies greatly depending on whether it is sheng (raw) or shou (ripe), as well as how long it has been aged. Many people associate puerh with very dark, fermented tea, which is shou puerh. Sheng puerh, by contrast, resembles green tea when young and gradually darkens and deepens as it ages.
We’ve included two raw puerh teas this season, 2023 Manzhuan Raw Puerh and 2003 Manzhuan Raw Puerh, both from Manzhuan, one of Yunnan’s famous tea mountains. By selecting teas from the same origin, we invite you to compare young and aged raw puerh, not only in flavor but also in how they make you feel.
Traditionally, young raw puerh was often considered too aggressive or bitter and was typically aged before drinking. Over time, the tea becomes smoother, rounder, and more harmonious. Today, however, some raw puerh is made from exceptionally high-quality material and crafted with care, making it enjoyable even at a young age.
The 2023 Manzhuan Raw Puerh is a lively, expressive tea with a thick mouthfeel and a refreshing, vibrant character. It carries the gentle bitterness typical of young raw puerh, but this bitterness fades quickly, giving way to clarity and lift. With each steeping, the tea evolves, evoking the freshness and vitality of spring.
The 2003 Manzhuan Raw Puerh, aged for over two decades, offers a striking contrast. Time has transformed its youthful floral sweetness into deeper, more layered notes of soft honey, dried fruit, light wood, and gentle herbal undertones. The liquor is smooth and silky, with a lingering sweetness that is both warming and refreshing. Rather than becoming heavy or overly earthy, this tea retains an elegant balance. Its energy is calm and steady, comforting rather than intense, and it invites slow, thoughtful enjoyment.
Shou (ripe) puerh is crafted to replicate the character of aged raw puerh without the long wait. Through a controlled fermentation process, it develops a dark color and rich depth even when young. When selecting shou puerh, we always look for a clean, pure profile, free from unpleasant aromas or flavors caused by poor processing or storage.
The 2008 Shou Puerh included this season is mellow, smooth, and deeply comforting. Well-aged and beautifully integrated, it is rich and thick in the cup, with flavors reminiscent of a damp forest floor and cocoa nibs. Warming and gentle, it is especially satisfying in colder weather.
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As always,
Happy sipping!