Ripe Pu'erh in its Best Form

it’s a great way to try out a few things and figure out what your likes and dislikes are. I have a ton of puerh in my cupboard and only 5? cakes…love it!

I have more cakes than samples. My cakes inexpensive ones so sometimes there is no samples for sale on those.

Generally the best tea is pressed into cakes, but loose or tuos or bricks can be great too. Maybe get a small cake, like 100g?

This is a nice one that’s pretty cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Yunnan-Menghai-Red-Aura-Round-Cake-Ripe-Puer-Tea-100g-/220865384774?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336c9a5146

Also Mandala Tea has some really good loose ripe pu’erh. A little bit pricey for pu’erh, but top notch. I’ve had their noble mark and phatty cake, both of which were great, and the others get rave reviews too

Also Yunnan Sourcing has a mind-boggling selection, and they offer 25g samples on a lot of their teas.

I will add some places for samples.
Misty Peak, Berylleb (on Ebay), White2tea, Crimson Lotus Tea,Finepuerh , Verdant and Puerh Shop. All sell samples. The best way to find your profile is through samples I think.
Ripe puerh
Menghai tea factory 7572. A standard for ripe puerh.
Haiwan "Peerless’ ripe puerh a good one.
Cnnp “7581” brick.
XiaGuan “7663” cake.
Mandala “Special dark, Noble Mark and Temple Stairs” maocha.
Boyou “0509” cake.
Just some suggestions for you.

I think most would say that the cake is the best form, but beyond that it’s personal choice. My personal preference goes something like cake > tuocha = loose leaf > brick

I wouldn’t buy a cake of ripe until you find something you like, or get an iron clad no-fail recommendation. Ripe really isn’t fruity or “yummy” in a flavored tea sort of way. It is earthy and sometimes even slightly fishy if you make a mistake with a purchase.

Special Dark. Mandala.

Tuochas are great for traveling with. That is my only input beyond what these guys have already said :)

I never thought about form. I’m willing to taste any shape of pu. And mini tuo has a bad reputation but not all of them created equal. Some are pretty good as they age and very convenient on the go.
I do like loose/ mao cha. To sum up anything that taste good to me. Lotsa sampling:)

I’ve really only had mini tuocha, loose leaf, and cake samples. Oh those, I prefer the cake (but I’ve not had a whole one).