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2018 Bitter Leaf Raw Pu-erh Tea, 500 y.o. trees
Raw pu-erh tea made from Thai bitter leaf of 500 y.o. tea tree material (ku cha).
This sheng does not resemble Bulang, nor Lao Man Er, nor other Chinese regions. But that is how I describe the organoleptic properties... The bitterness is so edible, soft. Without citrus notes - closer to the fragrant fresh wormwood. Now, if we add more sweet wildflowers and a drop of vanilla to this fragrant bitterness, then we get this sheng.
Many puerh producers seek to collect the harvest from sweet trees. And we, of course, understand them in this - everyone loves sweet tea, it is easy to sell, etc. But we are convinced that bitter-leaf pu-erh is seriously undervalued for two main reasons:
- It has a powerful fragrant huygan. That is not just a returning sweetness but a very fragrant sweet aftertaste.
- It has a very potent relaxing and sedative Qi effect. As a result, it perfectly relieves headaches.
By the way, bitterness is good for our body. It stimulates the work of the overall endocrine and digestive system.
For these two huge advantages, huygan and healing ability of Qi, we are ready to forgive this tea a lot - both bitterness and not very expressive foreground taste. Thus we decided to make a special cake with this bitter leaf.
Reviews (9)
While it's possible to brew this tea to avoid a large part of the bitterness, it can become a very bold tea and offer an intense experience.
I got the following notes: fruits (also - fermented fruit), sandalwood, medicinal herbs, licorice. And the bitterness is ... satisfying.
It is active in the mouth and the aftertaste is complex.
I like bitter, and have a high tolerance for it. Im also really fascinated by the relationship between bitterness and sweetness in sheng. Ive not gotten around to exploring ku cha yet (bitter variety assamica), but I liked the sample I got of this one a while back so much that I went for a whole cake.
Aromas of ripe apricots, baked apples, citrus peels, sauna and some warm spices. Its bitter, for sure, but its a deep, chewy kind of bitterness. Probably not for everyone, but I think the bitterness is really well integrated with lots of sweetness and a full texture. And it adds lots of tension and energy. Not an everyday drinker for me, but a really nice tea.
Bouquet: Fun fact this buddy is called bitter leaf but is the sweetest I tested from all those Thai Pu-erh samples. Thick sweet aroma like ripe pickled peaches and a thick layer of honey to it.
Liquor: texture-wise it literally feels like having actual oil on your lips while this whole experience leaves a certain tingling on your teeth and like ants or soda sparkling up from your tongue into your brain. Taste-wise its journey is even more complex starting from the major layer of Manuka honey and pickled peaches followed by red apple peal, grape seeds plus an echo of strawberries with a distinct atmosphere of rose and the medicinal plant called marshmallow to it. This might be my favorite of all new samples I tested from TeaSide. This buddy is just phenomenal and out of this world. Pure gold.
About headache relief. I don't know what this black magic is, but it works.
Works with terrible speed!
Jesus's tea!
I caught it at the very beginning [of a headache], but ... but yes. Two steeps and as if nothing had happened.
For a sheng that is called 'bitter leaf' it is surprisingly not as bitter as I expected. The bitterness is there, but gentle.
I can't detect much from its aroma, which is on a lighter side, but certainly leans towards floral.
Medium body mouthfeel and dryness all around in the mouth. Makes me salivate more.
There is a sweet aftertaste, but not in a fruity way. Wet leaves smell of sugary green apples, though.
I feel the Qi, but it's gentle. It makes me feel more relaxed.
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