Yunnan Palace Ripened Pu-erh Loose Tea 2007

When I first tried this I had said the leather taste was a bit overwhelming but was willing to give it another try. I got my sample today, so I’m writing another note. I’m glad that I did. I love the TeaVivre sample packaging. The mini-tin foil packages with all the info printed on them. I wish they offered a big bag of them with all kinds of their different teas. I would get it since it’s so convenient.

The dry leaves were a mixture of dark and golden long strands, very little tea dust. The dry leaves had an earthy aroma. The wet leaves smelled of earth, leather, smoke. The liquor was a very dark brown similar to that of coffee with some deep red hues. The taste was what I remembered: Earthy, smooth, mellow. The leather notes were definitely there as before but it didn’t bother me this time around, perhaps because I’m relatively new to ripe Pu’er (Sheng person) and am getting used to it more and more. I’m having it around noon but I think this tea would be great any time as it’s soothing, comforting, mellow. Maybe nice on a cold night, snuggled watching your favorite movie. I bumped the rating up because I really didn’t think I gave it a fair shot the first time since like I said I have little experience with ripe pu-erhs. It was very enjoyable and ultra smooth.

Yixing gaiwan, 212℉, 110ml, 7g, 8 steeps: rinse, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 50s, 80s, 120s

Ah. Another day and another sample from Teavivre to try. I am one of THOSE tea lovers who really likes the smell and taste of pu-erh tea. My wife wouldn’t go near anything pu-erh with a ten-foot tea cup.

I’ve enjoyed other Teavivre pu-erh offerings in the past so I am anxious to give this 2007 version a shot! When I opened the silver sample package, there were short brown leaves inside. The aroma was tell-tale pu-erh: deep, rich, and leathery.

I followed the package’s instructions and steeped the leaves for five minutes at 212 degrees. The brewed color was a bright reddish brown. The odor was leathery and earthy.

The flavor was pu-erh all the way which is just the way I like it. A strong leather and earth taste danced on my taste buds with every sip. What impressed me most about this selection was the silky smoothness to it.

I tried some pu-erh teas in the past that sacrificed a smooth taste for an overpowering one, resulting in a bitter side effect. (I won’t mention bitterness again because there was not a trace of it in this product.) This pu-erh was incredibly smooth and a pleasure to swallow. I had to slow down the consumption of my first cup as I found myself unintentionally guzzling it.

The aftertaste was also remarkably smooth, light, and gentle. I was sorry to see it go when it delicately drifted away.

This is the BEST pu-erh tea that I have tried to-date. 2007 must have been a banner year for this category. If you LIKE pu-erh tea, you will LOVE Yunnan Palace Ripened Pu-erh Loose Tea 2007!

First infusion:
Didn’t rinse. I dislike the smell of pu-erh teas in general, but the taste was pretty smooth and unobjectionable.

Second and Third infusions:
Very smooth and drinkable tea. Goes great with food. In three infusions I drank about two full gaiwans of tea and am beginning to feel the caffeine jitters.