Recommended
Today I sipped down my last 3 g of this middle-aged raw pu-erh “iron cake” from 2001, which I acquired last year from YS. Steeped in 80ml boiling alpine spring-water, starting at 30 seconds after a brief rinse, and stretching out to 10 minutes in the eighth infusion. All were a medium golden in color, not the deep orange depicted by YS. The tea had a mild and pleasant aroma, with no smell or taste of compost or fish, and was perfectly drinkable. There was some residual astringency, which complemented the vaguely minty flavor that lingered on the tongue for several minutes after each sip. Silky smooth, but although inoffensive, the tea did not excite or thrill me. It was like having a luncheon date with someone incapable of discourse beyond light pleasantries and talk of the weather, without ever getting deep or very interesting at all. I could share a table with this tea again, but would I pay $45 for a 25 g packet in order to do so? I don’t think so, and I certainly won’t be dropping $540 for an entire cake. I could recommend this tea for an experience or two, but I think that you, too, will tire of Gloria Upson after a few encounters, long before you get around to playing any ping-pong.
Flavors: Astringent, Celery, Peppermint
Preparation
Boiling
0 min, 30 sec
3 g
3 OZ / 80 ML
2005 T8653’s are about the same but much easier on the wallet. Aging conditions in a more humid area benefits this one too. Taiwan has been a good place for the ones I have.