A Tea Cup Dropped

This sheng puer when infused has a taste that hints of Longyan (Dragon's eye) fruit with the mild astringency known to green tea. Which makes sense in that sheng puer is made from unprocessed, or green, tea leaves (as opposed to shou puer). There is a mild aftertaste. The tea liquid has an shiny amber color.

This puer is a sheng puer, or puer sheng bing. Sheng meaning "uncooked, raw" or "green" in Chinese. As opposed to "cooked" or "processed". The tea leaves are hard pressed into a bing or discus shape about 7 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch thick. As with all puer tea, the tea leaves when processed are moistened and left in a heap to develop aspergillus, a benevolent fungus or mold that causes post-fermentation. Rather like a wine that gets better with age. The bing shape is one of several traditional shapes that puer usually comes in (the other shapes are brick and also bowl shaped)

Brewed color: Amber. Flavor: Longyan (Dragon's eye fruit), mild astringency. Preparation: For best results, use spring or mineral water that has come to a full boil. (Provides 4-5 infusions.)

Origin: Yunan Province, China. Classification: Sheng puer. Puer shape: bing (disc) shaped pressed cake. Package Size: 357 grams (13 ounces). Grade: Medium. Year (vintage): 2008