Xiaguan Purple Clouds Xiaguan Purple Clouds Tuo Cha Puer Tea 2012 Raw 100g

Trying this tea I got from Dragon Tea House a few weeks ago. It’s been ages since I had a sheng, but I’m in that kind of mood this morning. :) I know these are not top of the line teas in terms of sheng but I usually like them anyway.

This smelled very smoky after I took the wrapper off. I decided to do some steeps in my xiying teapot. After a quick rinse, I found steep #1 was very strong and aggressive. A typical Xiaguan young sheng. Definitely has a lot of smoke and a bitter finish.

Steep #2 – I did for 5 seconds at the most. I think less is definitely more for this one. Also I am using water that is below the boiling point, at about 180 degrees. The shorter steeping time did help a bit on the aggression but this is still strong, smoky and somewhat brothlike.

Steep #3 – smokiness is subsiding somewhat. Still a bittersweet finish with bitter fading a bit

Steep #4 – this is finally being a little more palatable, ha. Getting less bitter and some apricot and floral notes are starting to emerge. Still a hint of smoke in the finish.

Verdict: this seems to me a typical Xiaguan. I wouldn’t say the purple tea has made much of a difference to my palette. OK to drink now but will really benefit from a few more years of aging to balance this sucker out. I am not sure how to rate this but I have enjoyed it. Not recommended if you have a dislike for smoky teas.