when do we (tea addicts of the USA) time our clicks on the ‘check out’ buttons with online vendors to get the last normal priced tea from the tea growing regions of Asia before Trump’s tariffs kick up the prices of everything by 20%?

Basically when do you speculate that the tariffs promised by T are gonna initiate changes in import costs that are referred to the consumer? First day of trump or end or first quarter, etc?

Who is doing trump tariff sales this year? 😂 (Cmon 2 dog make me a cake out of this episode of American life)

Got my 89 and 99 in from mrmopar so I figured I should check Bovedas on the cakes. Man, some of these are thirsty!

Shulloween buy for this year. Getting ready for hibernation this winter.

Been into the young sheng recently from W2T, CL, viet sun, and FL and loving it.

I’ve heard from several reliable folks that drinkable young raws are fairly new phenomena. That “modern processing” allows for a better flavor when young. I saw this on a few occasions called “Pulong”.

What is the difference between “modern” processing vs the less drinkable sheng of the older/traditional style of processing?

Is it actual processing differences? Boutique blenders sorting for nice flavored Mao cha? Marketing and hype? All of the above?

Thanks!

Intro

2022 The Nameless One

Rich, thick, taste like mixed red berries jam and plum with a hint of tobacco. Extremely smooth, tiny bit of animal, earthy notes, just to remind you, this is still a Shou. The barely noticeable astringency makes every sip pretty exciting. Well, with that price tag, you’d expect a more than decent tea, however, everyone has to decide, that the experience worth it or not. Especially if your order comes with an additional import tax. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this session. Not the very best ever, but definitely a memorable one.

10 infusions

USD 0.68/g

2022 Pretty Girls

As soon as I've broken the sample, a long piece of hair kept together some chunks. I guess it fits well for this tea.

Sweet, very balanced, decent Shou, that does not want to be more than it is. Is it exciting or memorable? Not really. Modest fruitiness and tuned down funkiness. I can imagine this as a daily drinker for some. I enjoyed the session, I could drink this all day, but not sure I would order again. It is an OK and friendly tea, nothing more.

Revisit: Dessert-like sweetness and straight nuttiness with a bit of astringency. Feels thick, but complexity-wise nothing else I can pick. Pleasant sip, easy daily drink. Very similar to Gingerbread Man and I would pick that one, if I had to choose. The more intense creamy-walnut flavour makes Gingerbread a more exciting one for me.

8 infusions

USD 0.20/g

2020 Brown Sugar

Complex earthiness with molasses-mushroom-creamy notes. Tiny bit astringent with a funky aftertaste. The name is a bit misleading as one would think, it is on the sweeter side of the Ripe spectrum, but it is more of a classic, rustic flavour profile, especially with the “granny’s old furniture in the basement” tanginess. If you are afraid of a roughness, worry not, Brown Sugar is probably the most enjoyable vintage-like, classic-wannabe Shou Puerh I’ve had.

It peaks around the 5th steep - after 2 rinses -, and noticed a small spicy, root-like kick on the tongue. Tea is so rich that after 6 steeps, I felt like just ate a three-course meal. Also, quite potent.

12 infusions (I recommend up to 9)

USD 0.19/g

I'm putting together an order on W2T, and I'm trying to decide between these teas. Would they be too similar in taste, or is this a decent variety of sheng on the sweeter side?

Has anyone tried this tea? What do you think of the Sheng? I will drink it later and report back. I am curious.

I'm new to puer and looking for some good sheng. I really liked some that I got from mei leaf but after seeing a lot of negative buzz here and paired with the price I'm branching out.

I've tried a few from around including from YS, but I'm finding them too ... grassy? I think what I like is the lemony notes? Maybe that's normal for quality sheng haha. I don't mind spending, I think I just like spending my coin in the right place. Thanks!

Has anyone experience with yinchenstudio? They seem to claim that almost every pot they sell was half handmade if not fully handmade. Is that so? They do have some really funky shapes, I don't really trust them when they claim those being half handmade. Any impressions?

Heya heya everyone, I was looking to buy 5 or 6 Yixing style clay teapots. One for Shou Puer, one for Sheng Puer, one for Dark Oolongs, one for Green/lighter Oolongs and one for Black teas. Looking for a few company's online that that you guys might recommend that have a decent Yixing(Purple/Red), Jianshui, Chaozhou, Tokoname selection of Clay Teapots. Any recommendations would be most welcome and appreciated! 🎋🪷🌺🌷🪔🌼🙏🧘🌹💐🪅🎍🎏🌸🌿🌱🍵

This W2T haul is a birthday present to myself. Got plenty of shou to get through those frigid winter days.

Halloween bag

Sleeve of Waffles

Sleeve of Gingerbread Man

10 Predawn Dark

10 Stubb minis

Old arbor raw puer and baicha fuzhuan from monthly drop club.

Intro

2020 Old Reliable

Earthy, molasses, expected a bit more rustic flavour profile. Price is on the lower range, which gives an idea of the complexity. Not sure if I could say it is more exciting than the Prosbloom or Red Loon, which are lower priced. By the vendor description, it suggests, this is W2T’s gold standard Shou. Frankly, not impressed at all. It's OK, but do not expect anything comforting or a classic Shou Puerh experience. The funny thing that I ordered this tea and got a gift sample of the very same one*, so now I still have more than 25g.

Revisit: Sweet plum, tiny bit of raisins, molasses and forest notes. Smooth, the rustic and thick aftertaste makes it very savoury. I find it balanced enough to call it a very decent, more classic type of Shou. Pretty much can imagine as a daily tea. Significantly better experience than the original. Not sure if the few weeks time helped or the samples were not the same. As I mentioned, I got a 25g sample (12015B) and a 8g gift (12015S), the first review is from the gift. I am not familiar with W2T’s product code system, but I can imagine that they are not from the same cake, which would explain the difference between the two tastings. Anyway, I am glad I revisited, really enjoyed the ‘B’ one. It could be a very good intro tea for someone who never had Shou Puerh. It includes everything that a classic Shou has, without being too fixated on the earthiness.

4 infusions + 9 infusions

USD 0.16/g

2024 Camphire Mini

Smokehouse flavour is strong, but not as dominant as in Predawn Dark. Easier to see the background of some earthy and woody aromas. I feel it quite balanced and there is some silkiness as well. Also, it is playful trying to pinpoint other notes around the smokiness. If you are looking for a not too aggressive smoky tea, this one is a pleasant sip. Lingering aftertaste is refreshing at first, then goes into an ashtray area. Very interesting tea.

Note: The term 'smokiness', may refer for 'smoky' and 'roasted' flavours as well, if you had a different experience or a more nuanced observation, please let me know.

6 infusions

USD 1.75 each - mine was 6.31g
USD 0.23/g (cake)

Like gazing into a black pool of ichor

Unholy oil from kurra corp, brewed in jianshui zitao for maximum thicknesses and flavour

I would love some recommendations for a flavor profile I'm after. Raw, ripe, heicha etc. Any vendor, would prefer shipping out of US but im fine waiting.

Looking for resin, incense, cedar(other fragrant wood), leather, tobacco. Love smoke but doesn't have to be smokey.

Places I went to: Flagstaff House Teaware museum, Ying Kee tea house, Ki Chan Tea, Taetea Official shop Hong Kong

Got 3 new cakes in today

Hi! first post here. I'm looking for some aesthetic/purchase advice for upgrading my tea making set.

Basically, I'm pondering whether or not I should get a standard fairness cup (open top, large opening), or a small glass teapot as a serving vessel (same type as the ones people brew with)

Would that make any sense? In my head it should theoretically have better heat and "aroma" retention, but I'm wondering if there are any cons that make me want to consider otherwise

For aesthetic reference, my gaiwan and teacup are pure white porcelain (from Jingdezhen, according to Flagstaff House museum of teaware which I bought it from).

Intro

2022 Gingerbread Man

Ok, that is not gingerbread. For me, is more like some European Christmas cake or roll, filled with sweet walnut cream. The notes are more walnut/pecan area, rather than sweet-spicy. Even after the 6th steep, I am not able to think of other notes than the mentioned ones. The tea is not too complex or rich, but once you pinpointed what bakery product is hidden for you, it is a lovely experience. I would say, this tea is very well worth it, especially if you are far away from home or just the sips bring up some heartwarming memories. Even if neither, still could be a nice and light daily drinker.

11 infusions

USD 0.11/g

2021 Lumber Slut

Camphor and fuggy notes are pretty straightforward and basically overpower everything else, if there is any other at all. Now, this is a tea that you will hate or love and in both case you will think “Thank god it was cheap”. I like smoky and aggressive teas, but this one does not hit pleasantly, a bit of an expired medicine aftertaste. Anyone who likes weird tea, this could be an interesting experiment.

Revisit: Even if I do not find a tea nice, I can understand its characteristic and see why others might like it. I gave more chance for this than I planned. I could find some sweetness and mildness next to the camphor and smokehouse, if I dig deep, but I still think that there are much more interesting and balanced teas with this flavour profile. I’d rather pay a bit more and get a better rounded one.

3 infusions

USD 0.09/g

2023 Predawn Dark Mini

Do you like Islay whiskies? This is for you. The incredible complex and dominant smokiness, that makes you feel you are sipping an 18 years old single malt. Although, the first thing came to my mind, is the smell of a smokehouse, where the sausages, ham and other pork stuff hangs. If I do not know it is a Shou, you could tell me anything. You will not taste anything else than smoke, I can guarantee, but if that’s what you are seeking, this tea is awesome. I would not drink it daily though, it is more of an occasional type of tea.

8 infusions

USD 1.55 each - mine was 8.14g
USD 0.20/g (cake)

EDIT: the community pointed out that I use the term 'smokiness' for 'smoky' and 'roasted' taste as well, which is inaccurate. Looks like my palate for these type of teas are not seasoned enough to clearly separate those two. So, definitely leave your insights with any of these teas. There are some tea with similar flavour profile, that will be posted in the next few days and unfortunately all of them are Minis, that I am not able to re-taste. I'll leave a note to point out this issue. Thanks for the heads-up.

Wow. I’m in the “trying everything” period of puer drinking, and have mostly been doing gongfu to appreciate all the varied flavors on offer from each tea. I felt emboldened to mess around, so tried western style, doing some longer steeps. I discovered Waffles was particularly delicious brewed this way, especially if I covered my mug and forgot about it for a while. Syrupy and dense! Felt like my tongue was being coated in magic!

Yesterday I tried thermos brewing. I prepared a thermos (21 oz, so about 600 ml) using 5g of shou (Vanilla Bean Dream Machine). I left it while I went for a hike. When I came home, I had the most amazing, thick, rich brew. It blew me away because it was like a completely different tea than when I’ve brewed it gongfu! I found that I could drink about half the thermos and refill with hot water before I lost much depth of flavor, so I get a little shy of a liter of very flavorful tea from 5g leaves.

I’m repeating the experiment with some Old Reliable this morning, but drinking it gongfu style now while a thermos full is seasoning for later. (I did sneak a sip after about 30 minutes, and the light sweetness of gongfu brewed OR is replaced by a rich, graham cracker-y flavor and a burnt caramel depth. So interesting!)

Anyhow, I’m a little obsessed. Does anyone have suggestions for teas that are interesting or better brewed this way? Would trying this with Lumberslut be the death of me?

I'm very partial to the Cozy from YS and most of the cheaper Xiaguan offerings (8663,Xiaofa tuo etc). Interested in hearing what others tend to favor for a daily or worth checking out.

I ordered some earrings from Amazon and got a cast iron teapot instead. :D It's enamel coated with a deep mesh basket. I'm should be able to use it with Puer, right?

https://preview.redd.it/d8kt2xu5zczd1.png?width=679&format=png&auto=webp&s=66be4e031ff8ec62587bbeb51b4241b8cecdc780