Tea Review: Tao Tea Leaf Imperial Pu-er Classic (Shou)

February 20th, 2012

Category: Pu-erh

Tea Company: Tao Tea Leaf (website)

Ingredients: Pu-er

Vendor Suggested Preparation: Warm up the tea ware before steeping. Rinse the leaves: Pour some hot water in the Gaiwan/Yixing Teapot, swish the leaves around a bit, and pour the water off. It really brings out the roasted smell and flavor of the tea. Then begin your infusion using the recommended directions. Gaiwan/Yixing Teapot: Use about 5g (2 teaspoons) each time ; Steep at 93°c (200°F) to 100°c (212°F) water for 50,20,20,30 second for the first four brewing; then the later is about 1 to 3 minutes. You can steep more than 9 times. All the information is based on our tea sommelier’s testing. You can change the steep time according to your personal favor but any water temperature alternation is strongly not recommended.

Tao Tea Leaf Imperial Pu-er Classic (Shou)

Wendy’s is pulling out the old “Where’s the Beef” commercials. And this is shaping my reaction to this tea, because I want to say “Where’s the Flavor?” because this tea was boring. Just flat out boring.

Opening the packet, it smells good. Rich and earthy, like a pu-erh should be. But brewed up, nothing stood out. I tried steeping it longer, and it didn’t help. And after three steeps, any flavor that was there was completely gone. This is NOT typical pu-erh behavior. Pu-erh should be able to be steeped for at least 4 or 5 steeps. I’ve had some good pu-erhs go all day. I’d forgive fewer steeps if the flavor was there, but with neither in place? This tea jumps, headfirst, into my “don’t bother” pile.

This tea might work for you, if you like the idea of pu-erhs, but the flavor tends to be too strong or too earthy for your tastes. But honestly, I’d just reccomend a really good puerh with short, quick steeps. I’d go with another of Tao Tea Leaf’s offerings instead.

You can purchase the Imperial Pu-er Classic (Shou) directly from the Tao Tea Leaf website.