LWXLJMJZC 2021 Sheng Puerh Tea Cake Raw Pu-erh Yunnan 3.53oz

This says it's a RAW Uncooked SHENG Puerh Tea, produced in 2023, but I'm starting to have my DOUBT's about whether this really is a Sheng RAW Puerh Tea, because RAW Uncooked Sheng should be able to last, going on 50+ years, and this one says it EXPIRES in 2033, which is starting to sound like it's NOT what it says it is. It actually sounds like a Cooked SHOU Puerh Tea, which can be ready to drink after a very much shorter time, like 2 years, RIGHT NOW, and can only last for maybe 8 years, before becoming STALE. Well, we shall see. I am giving this the Benefit of the Doubt, with a 5-STAR Rating, for now, but I RESERVE the RIGHT to CHANGE this, if need be, later on. I OPENED the Seal and propped it OPEN, to Let It Breathe (it's a LIVING THING still Fermenting and needs to Outgas and release any Moisture too to prevent Mold from forming), and putting it into a COOL, DRY, DARK place in my Bedroom, for the next 3 years, and will break off a small portion to try it then. So, STANDBY, for "The REST of The STORY", as Paul Harvey used to say on the RADIO. (yes, I am old enough to have listened to "The PAUL HARVEY Show" on my parent's Tube Radio, years ago -- I miss him -- they just don't make people like that anymore)

As expected, it's alright, mediocre. OK for its price, especially seeing as amazon isn't a particularly curated tea seller. it's has a green tea grassiness and a mild plummy aftertaste with a good amount of texture on the tongue not a ton of sweetness but a little. it carries a bitterness and drying quality in the same vein as a sencha, and jasmine flowers. If you're not expecting that it may be a bit much. it has a slight perfumey grandmas old china cupboard and a tinier bit leather couch quality but those are rather subdued and in the background. Makes sense as those are flavors that tend to develop over time and this is fairly young. as the brews go on it gets more towards the black tea sort of flavors but it still has a dominantly green flavor. leatheryness may come out more the further you go, and grandmas cupboard may lessen and the body, texture and bitterness remain mostly. You can brew it many times, and the body has good longevity. it has some qualities of a clumsily roasted green tea with some oxidation. that is an off flavor I think I find acceptable. this sorta slight burnt sugar, slightly too high temp roasted leaf flavor. I had someone else taste it and they noted they didn't like it because of an acridity, I think relating to that. it smells nice dry hydrated brings out that burnt leaf quality. it's cheap gunpowder ish (say temple of heaven) but with slightly more going on. I'd go for this over some temple of heaven gunpowder for that fact. the burnt leaf quality diminishes with subsequent brews. I recommend washing maybe a few times if you don't like that. It makes me feel caffeinated, so keep that in mind. I'd say it's worth the money I paid once over, and no more than that, and I don't think I'll come back to buy more, but I'll see how it ages. my BREW PARAMETERS: WITH BOILING WATER: I brewed with a 150ml gaiwan with 7.5 grams tea, with a 5 second wash. first brew 10 seconds, then 20 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 40, ect. more evolution. I brewed in a 400 ml teapot with ~ 5-6.5 ish grams tea with a 5 second wash first brew about 1 and a half to 2 minutes, second brew ~2-4 minutes, 3rd like 3-5 minutes brew time to taste. sweeter subsequent brews.

for 5-10 times of price of this one, you will have 30%-50% smoother and purer taste (less feeling of tightness / bitterness in mouth / throat), but this one gives pretty stable "sweetness" after you swallow the tea half to a few minutes, i am a little surprised per this price, and pleased, it is a good choice of raw puer everyday.

This is my first time trying this type of tea, and as a tea lover, it was an interesting experience. I enjoyed fresh, bright, grassy flavor that allows you to taste the tea leaf in a different way. It’s quite different than traditional fermented teas (black, green, oolong, white, and red tea), which I still generally prefer for their full bodied and aromatic qualities. At the same time, this has unique and delicate flavors that pair nicely with certain types of foods with an earthier flavor profiles, including some dim sum dishes. In addition to the interesting flavor, it is beautifully packaged!

Bought for the price, but even after multiple rinsing it still had a strong astringent taste that I ended up not being able to drink.

Not the best quality but for the money = 4 stars ✨ all day

I have had a few of those teas in the past, but none were as bitter as this one.

Unripe pu'er is an unusual taste. It's tannic, grassy, and unlike other teas. This one has a slight fresh pencil shaving-like scent mixed with cedar. It's very grassy and a little peppery. I like it very much, for what it is, but please know what you're getting into. Fresh pu'er isn't for everyone. It's not my favorite, but I'm very happy to have a little bit for when family from China comes to visit. It's nice to be able to offer a variety.