Imperial Choice – Pu’Erh
I don’t have much experience with Pu’Erh. I’m intimidated by Pu’Erh geeks who take this stuff very seriously. And because of that, I think I have adopted a “go big or go home” attitude. If it’s not sold in a big brick and aged for a squillion years then don’t waste my time. But Pu’Erh is, of course, sold in other formats. Like teabags. As evidenced by this Imperial Choice Pu’Erh that I am currently drinking.
When I reviewed Curious Tea’s Tibetan Tea Xiao Bing Zang Cha some years ago, I noted that it had “a strong, almost savoury, taste … with notes of wood and metal and other things that aren’t usually considered foodstuffs.” And you know, I’m getting a similar vibe with this one. There’s a damp cardboard sort of aroma, which may be a bad sign, or in fact, the way this is meant to taste. It doesn’t smell mouldy, just damp. Which is an odd way to describe a liquid, I know. What on earth do I think that other equally wet teas smell of?
I don’t dislike it, but I’m not loving it either. The lack of sweetness is a bit startling. Even a basic black tea is a tiny bit naturally sweet, I’ve realised.
There was also a weird sort of mouthfeel afterwards, which I believe from my cursory research might be down to an overabundance of polyphenols which results in mouth-puckering and bitterness. So this may be a not-great Pu’Erh, or it might be exactly the way that Pu’Erh is supposed to be. I’m way too inexperienced to know what’s going on here.
I may have to go back to Curious Tea and get some Pu’Erh because that way, I can be sure I’m getting the best stuff, and if I still don’t much like it, I’ll know it’s my issue rather than the tea’s.
Today’s featured book is One Rainy Season in Yunnan by Brian Herman, which is all about Pu’Erh.
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