1993 Xiaguan Pu-erh Xiao Tuo Cha

I think this is what OMGsrsly gave me… It’s hard to tell. Either way, always, much love and thanks for sharing!

Rinsed twice for about 1 minute, then steeped for two. It’s quite dark, and, still not completely opened. Ugh. Not sure I’ll steep it again, as… This is weird. Wood, wet wood is what I get. Wet wood and an odd sweetness that I’m not fond of all. I can’t finish the cup. :(

As Dex mentioned ages in the review, my bag is marked sheng, but this is DEFINITELY the shou.

This is a lot easier on the nose than the last one I tried today. And I also went through my shou bag and opened all the ziplock baggies so they’re upright and exposed to the air a bit. So hopefully that’ll help out some of the stronger shou mellow out.

As this is a tuo, and it’s tightly packed, I’ve done 2 pretty long rinses. The liquor is dark amber, but not black. And it’s still not completely unfurled. Oh wait I lied. It’s almost completely black now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-HrUs2R5I2/

But the flavours here are a lot more bearable. It still has that forest compost flavour, and isn’t sweet and gentle like the shou I tried from Sil last night. But it’s a lot more mild. I was just reading the description on the website. Earthy. Yes, indeed it is. Also very woody. As I steep it, it’s turning into that fresh hewn lumber taste.

Not bad, but again, not really flavours I’m into right now. I’ll share what I have around and keep a couple tuo’s for further tasting.

I am such an idiot……
Do you have days where you see something on the news, or you observe an incident that makes you question how you see the world, what you believe. I’m not talking about anything heavy, just something that makes you pause and question. I think of it more as emotionally challenged than upset. Anyway……I’m having one of those days…
So I come home from work and look for tea. I don’t want to make a decision so I just reach into my sample box and pull out a package from the wonderful Miss OMGsrsly. Perfect mini tou sheng….. A few minutes later I’m looking at the tea in my cup and the leaves in my teapot, this is weird. Why is sheng this color? Shrug oh well…. first sip and I’m looking at the package, and the looking it up on here…..yep I’m an idiot…. This isn’t sheng. Why did I think it was. Let’s try this again with shou steeping parameters.
Whatever this is it’s really good. Mmmmmm really earthy in a good way Smooth, yummy, sweet. I really like this. It goes perfectly with salsa, avacado, and lime tortilla chips. I don’t have specifics, but this is what like about shou…..
Now if I can just figure out why I’m watching Gone Girl…. I hated that book.