Shu Pu Erh Red Mark, Gui Zhu factory, AA, 2010

Appearance

Aged Shu Pu Erh from the Gui Zhu factory, a blend of tea buds and large leaves pressed into a loose cake.

Taste and aroma

The aroma of this dry tea is distinct and soft, with woody, winey, and berry notes. The warmed leaves smell of nuts, wood, cocoa, and rotten autumn leaves.
The tea is dark, ruby-brown in color, with a sweet, velvety taste with notes of biscuit, vanilla, nutmeg, hazelnut, and cocoa beans. A pleasant bitterness of barrel wood and fruit tree bark. The aftertaste has a slight nutty sweetness.

Effect

The state is even and clear, with a gradual, soft tone. This tea helps awaken and prepare the body and mind for the new day.

How to brew

Brewing in a gaiwan or clay teapot

• Water: 90-95°C
  
• Amount of tea: 7-10 g per 120-150 ml
  

Place the tea in a well-warmed gaiwan or teapot and let it warm up for 10 seconds.

First infusion: 10 seconds

Subsequent infusions: gradually increase the steeping time by 10+ seconds

Steeping in a thermos

• Water: 85-90°C
  
• Amount of tea: 5 g per 400-500 ml of water
  

Use slightly less than you'd like to avoid over-steeping the tea, especially if you plan to keep it in the thermos for several hours.

Brewing over a stove

• Amount of tea: 10-15 g per 800-1000 ml of water
  

Bring the water to a near boil and turn off the heat. Let it steep for a while to obtain a soft, pleasant infusion.