My Overall Impression (Score of 87%)

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Puer tea.  I’ve been hoarding my last few small bricks from Lahaha that I used to get at Central market in Texas.  I can’t find them anymore as I believe the company is no longer selling them.  I didn’t put much hope for this blend from Teasource and again, I’ve been proven wrong by them.  This is a great introduction to Puer, especially for the price point.

When I brewed this, it reminded me of why I love Puer so much.  Plain and simple, its depth is incredible.  Yes, it’s a strong brew and that’s why I love it.  It’s a punch in the taste buds that I find invigorating.  I used to drink this in the morning for those dragging days.  Now, I love drinking this in the late afternoon with some heavy charcuterie.

For the price point, you can’t say no.  It’s a great tea…the cost is icing on the cake.

The price as of 1/9/24 is $9.00 for 4 oz or 113 gm.

Broken down:

• 113 gm / 2 gm for steeping = 56 cups (6 oz.)
• 56 cups from package = 16 cents per cup

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 56 cups or approximately 9 cents per cup.  You can steep this one for a third time without a loss of flavor. Best value ever

Aromas

• In the bag, instant notes of heavy tobacco, charred wood, and an old barnyard (like walking through an old barn – pleasant). It reminded me of a cheese trip to WI when we walked through dairy farms.
• This is followed by hints of toasted malt and deep roasted mushroom notes.
• Once brewed, the aroma blend changes to lower tobacco notes with creamy toasted malt and dried cremini mushrooms.
• Add hints of toffee, molasses, some ash, tar, roasted nuts, and wet compost.

Flavors

• Exceptionally inviting tea from the first sip.
• Phenomenal big flavors of cocoa, tobacco, toasted malt, and dried meats.
• This is followed by notes of rich toffee, dried leather finishing with a smoky residue.
• Slightly astringent due to the large tannins but lovely full bodied with a great coating mouthfeel.

Scores

• Aromas (4.4/5)
• Flavors (8.5/10)
• Overall impression (4.4/5)
  • Total score = 87.0 percent (17.4/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• First of all, I love Puer as it’s big, bold, and filled with lots of depth and structure. This one is no exception.
• Every thought that I had was related to mushrooms and the options that I could create with them. For an appetizer, I love phyllo tart shells filled with sauteed shitake mushrooms with a hint of curry and cream.
• For a salad (and dinner) option, a warm grilled portabella that had been marinated in teriyaki sauce and grilled served alongside a thin ribeye done the same over a salad with a sake infused dressing would be perfect.
• For a vegetarian option, wild rice cooked in vegetable stock with sauteed or roasted oyster mushrooms would be a great option to match with the brew.
• As for dessert, I was craving a dark bittersweet chocolate mousse with some of the puer tea infused in the cream would be a nice finish.