My first pu-erh experience, and I’m kind of underwhelmed. This is really good – the blood orange taste is definitely prominent, and I love blood orange – but I can’t really taste pu-erh. I’m not sure exactly what it should taste like, but I was expecting a very heavy, earthy taste. Right now I taste a bit of that at the very end of my sip, but mostly just blood orange and citrus.
It does taste pretty darn good, though. Just tastes more like a flavored black tea than anything else.
Comments
Hrm. I’ve had blood orange pu-erh before [from Samovar] and if it’s balanced correctly you should definitely be getting some earthiness from it. All I can think of is to ask how long you’re steeping it for? Pu-erh is near impossible oversteep. It might be worth trying to let it sit for 8 minutes or so?
If that doesn’t work, at least it tastes good overall!
Definitely try steeping it much longer, I tend to keep mine steeping for up to 7 minutes or so sometimes. If that still doesn’t do it for you try Teas Etc’s Pu-erh Tuo Cha. They come in cute little individually wrapped nests and taste wonderful. A nice full bodied earthy tea. If you visit Samovar or buy some teas online, try Maiden’s Ecstasy (hard to go wrong with that one).
Thanks for the recommendation, Katie. Maiden’s Ecstasy (and Samovar on the whole) has been on my to try list for awhile now. Hoping to make an order soon.
I’ll try steeping longer next time. Rishi recommends 5-6 minutes, so I did 5:30 on this steep.
Samovar is amazing. If you’re ever visiting San Francisco you’ll have to make a point to check out the different locations. If you like Oolongs the Four Seasons Oolong is also great. For the pu-erh, also make sure the water is boiling, it will make a difference. Enjoy!
Hrm. I’ve had blood orange pu-erh before [from Samovar] and if it’s balanced correctly you should definitely be getting some earthiness from it. All I can think of is to ask how long you’re steeping it for? Pu-erh is near impossible oversteep. It might be worth trying to let it sit for 8 minutes or so?
If that doesn’t work, at least it tastes good overall!
Definitely try steeping it much longer, I tend to keep mine steeping for up to 7 minutes or so sometimes. If that still doesn’t do it for you try Teas Etc’s Pu-erh Tuo Cha. They come in cute little individually wrapped nests and taste wonderful. A nice full bodied earthy tea. If you visit Samovar or buy some teas online, try Maiden’s Ecstasy (hard to go wrong with that one).
Thanks for the recommendation, Katie. Maiden’s Ecstasy (and Samovar on the whole) has been on my to try list for awhile now. Hoping to make an order soon.
I’ll try steeping longer next time. Rishi recommends 5-6 minutes, so I did 5:30 on this steep.
Samovar is amazing. If you’re ever visiting San Francisco you’ll have to make a point to check out the different locations. If you like Oolongs the Four Seasons Oolong is also great. For the pu-erh, also make sure the water is boiling, it will make a difference. Enjoy!
@Bethany Looking forward to future logs!
@Katie Alberry I can see us becoming great tea friends.