Yunnan Menghai Chen Ripe Pu Er

Not an in depth review of this for now but quick notes are better than no notes. I’m playing The Sims 4 with my husband as well as cooking dinner hence why this is just quick!

When I bought this tea it intrigued me, the written information on the listing says this is a Yunnan Menghai Chen Ripe Pu Er (hence the title) which is a little vague but the wrapper says it’s a Yunnan Tse Chi Beeng Cha from a company called Kunming Hechangxuan Tea Industry Co LTD in Yunnan, China. My Chinese is not great, but I believe Beeng Cha is pressed tea ie cake. I found this article which is an interesting read on explaining what Tse Chi Beeng Cha means. http://www.puerh.fr/en/article/tong_and_yunnan_chi_tse_beeng_cha.htm
I suppose the old saying is true, you do learn something new every day!

The cake had wonderful large leaves. I posted pictures on Instagram if anyone follows me :)

In flavour this is very smooth with: dry wood, damp fresh soil, dry musk and rich malt tones. At least in the first few steeps. Also became sweet which was a pleasant addition, it kept the balance smooth.

Still balancing food and playing, while also talking via whatsapp on my phone, but I have time to explain a little of my methods. I’m steeping this in my Yixing teapot which is roughly 370ml. Rinsed twice for 20 seconds and starting with 30 second steeping time whilst increasing it 15 seconds for the first few steeps.

After that it just softens in flavour and strength the more you steep it, but it remains smooth and clean tasting. I’m not going to sugar coat it, this was a nice Shu but it is by no means amazing. For the price I have no complaints at all! My husband liked this one as well. May age this for a couple of years and see if the flavours become more complex, but we shall see.