Pu-erh Tea

[Guest guest]

For those out there, like me, who are not very knowledgeable on teas

let me give you a little information in Pu-erh tea. Pu-erh is a large

leaf variety broadly classified as a green or post-fermented tea.

Unlike other teas other teas that should consumed shortly after

production pu-erh can be drank immediately of aged many years. It is

not impossible to find pu-erh 10 to 50 years as well as a few from

the late Qing dynasty (17th Century to early 1900s). The tea I

received in an black tea assortment from Adagio Teas is called Pu-erh

Dante. It has a very earthy taste. Reviewer of this tea

wrote: " Warning: this tea is described as tasting earthy - meaning

like dirt. If that doesn't sound good to you - save your

money. " ; " It really tastes like dirt. I was looking for something

earthy, but this is over the top. " ; " Adagio wasn't kidding when they

said you'd either love it or hate it. I'm not crazy about this one in

the least. It was too earthy. " This last kind of summed up my take on the tea.

Earlier in November when Gail wrote the list and asked about using it

for KT I thought why would anyone want to. When Norma stated, " I

have been using Puerh tea, either alone or with green tea, as my

favorite and healthiest (for me) KT " . You can image the thought that

ran through my mind. Someone else sent a link that had instructions

on how Pu-erh should be brewed. I tried it but did not notice much

improvement.

A couple of weeks ago I thought what the heck. I've got to do

something with the tea so let's try a batch of KT. I can always dump

it out if it comes out as bad as I expect. The taste some people

have. I'm new to KT fermentation having started in May. My 115 batch

was stared a couple of days ago. I've experimented with different

types and combinations of tea and adding various fruits to the

secondary fermentation. I've come up with some excellent KT but

nothing come even close to the flavor I achieved with the Pu-erh

Dante. It is unbelievable!! Even my wife says it is the best

yet. I really wish I could describe the flavor but I can't. But it

must be what my body needs to taste so good. From my fermention

experience I know the same type of tea from different regions will

give a different taste in the finial product as will slight

differences in the environment. I've already ordered some more Pu-erh

Dante and will start a couple gallon ferrmenting as soon as it comes

in. I also plan on trying Pu-erh from different regions to see how

they will come out.

Everyone have a happy New Year

Norma sorry I doubted your taste. You hit the nail on the head.

Bill