I had this tea for the first time at Zen Valley Samovar and fell in love with it. Simple, yet complex, this tea is an experience. The pu-erh is aged and then packed inside a dried mandarin orange peel. It smells beautiful and subtle, and has a nice smooth flavor and consistency.
Pack the whole fruit into a small teapot, pour hot water over it, and let it steep for around 25 seconds. Pour out the first steeping, unless you really like very strong tea. This one will last for quite a while.
A note about the tea: When you first get it, it comes wrapped in plastic. Take off the plastic and let it sit in a dark, yet slightly humid place for about a week. The flavors will be more intense this way.
Preparation
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What’s the major difference between this and their blood orange?
This is a reserve tea, and it won’t be around very long. The presentation itself is an experience, and I found it to be a bit smoother than the blood orange, though I love them both. It has been a little while since I have had the blood orange pu-erh, so it is hard to compare the two, but there are definitely distinct differences. I’m not sure if they are selling the Mandarin orange online, but they do have it on site.
Thanks for the tips on how to set up for preparation. I wouldn’t have thought to allow my tea to become humid, in my frantic search for air-tight containers. I’ve always lost flavor without them. Again, thanks!
What do you mean by “pack the whole fruit”?
Thanks JGWamsat! This tea is a little special as far as airtight containers go. Not too much humidity, and still keep it out of the light, but a little humidity will bring out the flavors.
Cofftea- Put all of the pu-erh that is inside the orange into a pot, and then crush the orange peel and put it in the pot as well.
Glad I asked, I would have probably tossed the orange peel.
Wow, this one looks interesting. Can’t seem to find it online!
Ricky, I looked hrs ago- it’s only available on site unfortunately. :(
Yeah, that’s what I figured. I might have to head down to Cali and give it a go one day ;)
You better make it quick. If Katie’s right, it won’t be around too long.
What’s the major difference between this and their blood orange?
This is a reserve tea, and it won’t be around very long. The presentation itself is an experience, and I found it to be a bit smoother than the blood orange, though I love them both. It has been a little while since I have had the blood orange pu-erh, so it is hard to compare the two, but there are definitely distinct differences. I’m not sure if they are selling the Mandarin orange online, but they do have it on site.
Thanks for the tips on how to set up for preparation. I wouldn’t have thought to allow my tea to become humid, in my frantic search for air-tight containers. I’ve always lost flavor without them. Again, thanks!
What do you mean by “pack the whole fruit”?
Thanks JGWamsat! This tea is a little special as far as airtight containers go. Not too much humidity, and still keep it out of the light, but a little humidity will bring out the flavors.
Cofftea- Put all of the pu-erh that is inside the orange into a pot, and then crush the orange peel and put it in the pot as well.
Glad I asked, I would have probably tossed the orange peel.
Wow, this one looks interesting. Can’t seem to find it online!
Ricky, I looked hrs ago- it’s only available on site unfortunately. :(
Yeah, that’s what I figured. I might have to head down to Cali and give it a go one day ;)
You better make it quick. If Katie’s right, it won’t be around too long.