This is the only pu-erh I’ve had where I needed to rinse it out. That first steeping was pungent and overpowering. I was worried that just rinsing it out wouldn’t make much of a difference, but it did. The second steeping, first tasting, was delicious. I didn’t realize how much you would lose in the rinse, but all that is left is drinkable delicious tea. Every steeping there is a significant change in the intensity of flavor, but that initial taste stayed with me through every cup.
Cold Brew
I was really nervous about this cold brew since I don’t rinse the leaves before steeping. To my disappointment, there is hardly any flavor in this tea. None of the flavors are there, its just brown water. There is a very slight aftertaste, but nothing distinct. Usually the cold brew brings out everything I love in a tea, but this one was just a disappointment.
Flavors: Astringent, Compost, Dark Wood
