Thank you Teasenz for the samples! This is a pu-erh sampler containing four different types of pu-erh mini tuochas, so I’ll be reviewing each of the four types. They are only distinct to me because the color of the writing on each tuocha wrapper is different, so that is how I will tell them apart.
+ RED wrapper: This is such a tightly compacted tuocha! I went for a longer rinse than usual because even after the rinse, it still wasn’t unraveled very much. The tuocha reminds me of a chocolate truffle, but it has a fragrance of hay. This is certainly a ripe pu-erh but rather than be one of those dark muddy coffee brews, the color of the cup is copper. The flavor is lighter than I’m used to as well, actually sweet and fruity without many hints that this is pu-erh in flavor. The second steep is much darker and deeper like I usually expect. Pu-erh can only be PU-ERH but it seems to have so many flavors wisping throughout: earth, pine, maple syrup. The third steep is still going strong. I’m shocked that such a tiny truffle of a tuocha can have so many long pu-erh leaves.
25 sec rinse // just boiled // 3 min steep // 3 min // 4 min
+ BROWN wrapper (disc shaped): Even though the steeped leaves looked the same size as the leaves in the last tuocha, the cup got dark very fast, so I shortened the first steep to two minutes. Maybe this tuocha had more leaves or was less compact. The flavor is delicious – very deep unsweetened dark chocolate. The last tuocha had many flavors, but this just has the one. None of the “typical” pu-erh flavors are found in this cup.. it kind of tastes more like coffee. This would be a good pu-erh for newbies. My first cup was sipped too quick! The third steep was a bit weaker than the other two, but the other two cups were delicious.
Just boiled // rinse // 2 min // 3 min // 4-5 min
+BLUE wrapper: This one seems to be rice scented! Love those! It was tough for me to tell at first that it was rice scented. I’d say it’s more in the dry leaf aroma and the mug scenting up the room rather than in the flavor. There were also quite a bit of things floating in the infuser. I’m not sure if they are what imparts the rice flavor (tiny little sticks and one leaf I’ve never seen in any tea) or there by accident. The actual pu-erh leaves are surprisingly big for such a small tuocha, steeped almost the length of the tuocha itself (bigger leaves mean higher quality!) The flavor is deep, dark, sweet. Very tasty. The second steep is even deeper and even better. No complaints here, but I’d like to know if the pieces are supposed to be in the tuocha or not. I’ve just started noticing these pu-erhs really help my appetite, which probably isn’t a good thing for me!
Just boiled // rinse // 2 min // 3 min // 4 min
+BROWN wrapper (rounder shaped) – Another surprisingly big-leafed tea for a mini tuocha. It seems like I’ve had this type of tuocha before – a solid tuocha with none of the qualities of pu-erh that might scare anyone away. Smooth and sweet flavor, the kind of mellow dark flavor that could only be pu-erh! The first two cups were very dark but the one I left accidentally steeping for ten minutes wasn’t that strong. But that’s another lovely thing about pu-erh – they never get bitter!
Just boiled // rinse // 2 min // 3 min // 10 min (accidentally)
+OVERALL: This is a delicious pu-erh collection! I enjoyed all four tuochas. All of them seem slightly different, with very big leaves for a tuocha. I could definitely buy this when I’m looking for tuochas to stock up on. Everything I’ve tried from Teasenz has been delicious!
http://www.teasenz.com/mini-yunnan-tuocha-mix
