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I’ve been craving Pu’erh lately but always feel that it deserves more attention than I can reasonably give it at work, which is where I drink most of my tea. and the only pu’erhs I have are tuochas, so I figured a bagged tea would solve my problem. It’s quick, and I’ll feel less guilty about just grabbing it when on the go!
So when I walked by the Ten Rens shop yesterday, I was compelled to ask the “tea lady” if they had any. On busy days, they have a lady dedicated to selling tea, separate from the bubble tea line-up. Well!! she invited us (me and my friend) to sit down for a tasting. She obviously thought I was a newb and went on the whole shpiel about what pu’erh is and it’s benefits etc. But then I started asking questions. Was this a shou, or a sheng? (this was prior to my tasting the tea, or seeing the cakes) She had no idea what I was asking… so perhaps it has another name that I’m not aware of?
She blinked in confusion. I’m a white girl! how do I know about tea!? so she asked me. and I told her, my best friend growing up, she is Japanese. That explained it. She needed no further details lol
Oh and the lady was so pleased to see a “non-asian” girl knowing about tea(she’d gone over to a co-worker, gesticulating happily towards us) that she gave me two free tuochas! score!! I think I’ll save them for a rainy day, let them age a bit.
Anyhow, the tea! it was super tasty! earthy and rich. and smooth. A little sweet on its own. Bready, in a way I don’t often see with Pu’erhs. With each steeping, it got a little richer and deeper. We went through atleast three.
Now, we didn’t stay long and and the place was hopping so paying attention to the subtle notes was difficult. The bagged version will surely be a bit muted, but if I notice any other points of interest, you can be sure I’ll update this.
For the price, 31c per bag… I’d say it’s a deal. Most likely anyhow, since I haven’t been back to work yet so that I can try it out in it’s intended setting.
ALSO, my friend that was with me, she likes tea but will drink anything, esp EG. So when she told me afterwards that it tasted like “earth”, but in a good way, and she didn’t know what to make of it… I was grinning from ear to ear. Folks, I might be breeding a convert here. muahahahaaaa
Raitng: 88 looseleaf, bagged tbd!

On another note… do you ever feel that tea is a secret? I mean, it’s SO good, and so many people seem to have no idea how amazing it can be. They go about their lives drinking bagged crud and have NO IDEA what they are missing out on. I feel so privileged to have been let into the club. I’m not sure what’s gotten into me now, but I am grateful to have tea.