It is always exciting to get a new tea package in the mail. Either from a participant of the Co-Op Tea Swap or from my buddy Jessica over at Authori+ea. Recently, armed with the knowledge that I am a Pu-erh lover, Jessica sent me a sample of Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha. I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when I opened my recent tea package and found Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha nestled between several other teas.
Composition: Compressed pu-erh from the Yunnan Province in China.
Dry Visual: An adorable dark brown almost black miniature tea cake shaped like a bowl.
Dry Aroma: A very mild earthiness.
Flavor: There are two distinct characteristic flavors that I love about Pu-erhs. First, I love their earthiness. Second, I love their smokiness. Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha is very flavorful, yet I found the earthy quality typical of pu-erhs surprisingly mild. Additionally, Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha contained very little smokiness.
Thus far I have steeped and tasted three cups of Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha to compare the experience. Two infusions from the first mini cake and one from the second. Each cup has been consistent, the distinct flavor of pu-erh was present. Its distinct nature does not require the use of sweetener. Overall, I found Pu-erh Mini Tuo Cha to be a decent cup of tea. Personally, I prefer a more robust Pu-erh.
Liquor: A rich reddish brown.
Brewing Time: I was unable to find the brewing time for Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha. Thus I played around with the brewing times utilizing three, four, and five minutes respectively.
Manufacturer: SerendipiTea
Caffeine: Yes.
If you have had an opportunity to enjoy Pu-erh Mini Tuo-Cha please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!
Nikki,
don’t expect mini tuos to be high-end pu-erhs. Some are of quite decent quality for ripe pu-erh, but high quality leaves are not very often used to produce them.
The mini tuocha shape is quite convenient, though, sparing you the trouble of breaking off a piece from a big cake.
Your long steeping times and your findings of only mild earthy flavors indicate that you prepared this tea “English style”, i.e. with lots of water. Try to brew it gong fu in one of your yixing pots and give it an initial 20 sec rinse (pour away) and then start infusions, the first one around 20-30 sec and going from there.
Usually, mini tuos tend to be quite earthy, so maybe you’ll produce your desired flavors that way. Smokiness is often regarded an off-flavor in pu-erh (depending on strength) and decent quality pu-erh usually has only traces of it, if any.
Let us all know how it worked out.
Hey Jo,
Haven’t talked to you in awhile. You would be proud… each time I brewed, I did the 30 sec wash. Additionally, I used only about 6 ounces of water, so no english style brewing for me.
I agree the mini tuos shape is convenient to use vs. the cake. I brewed at work which can be a hassle for any loose tea. Perhaps, the puerhs I’ve enjoyed have been quiet strong – regarding your reference to my description of smokiness. That is the only description I could decide upon that really captured what I tasted. I just know I like it.
Have you had 2005 MengHai “Meng Song Gu Cha Shan Peacock” from Hou De Fine Teas? If so, I would love to hear your experience. Perhaps you would describe what I call smokiness as something different. Can’t wait to hear your response.