Ming Feng Shan Dragon Ball Sheng Puer

As a devoted Pu-erh enthusiast with a curated collection of ceremonial cakes, I was thrilled to discover Friday Tea's Ming Feng Shan Dragon Ball Sheng Puer. This exquisite tea, now a rare treasure due to its sold-out status, offers an unparalleled tasting experience that truly showcases the complexity and depth of fine Sheng Pu-erh.

Each hand-rolled ball, elegantly presented in a cloth wrapper bearing the company's imprint, is a testament to the artisanal craftsmanship behind this tea. Utilizing a clear teapot typically reserved for flowering teas, I watched in anticipation as the ball gracefully unfurled, releasing its aromatic bounty.

The initial infusion immediately captivated me with its golden liquor, characteristic of high-quality Sheng Pu-erh. The flavor profile is remarkably refined - slightly astringent yet incredibly smooth, with a buttery mouthfeel that lingers pleasantly. Notes of flowers and minerals dance on the palate, while an underlying essence of warm sunshine permeates each sip, creating a truly transcendent tea experience.

What sets this Sheng Pu-erh apart is its remarkable longevity. My wife and I marveled at how the tea continued to evolve through numerous infusions, easily surpassing a dozen steeps without losing its charm. Each rebrew unveiled new nuances and subtleties, making every cup a delightful discovery. The tea's endurance is a hallmark of its superior quality and speaks volumes about the careful selection of the 2016 harvest used in its production.

The recommended steeping parameters of 175°F (79.4°C) for 2-4 minutes provide an excellent starting point, but true to the nature of fine Pu-erh, this tea invites experimentation. With approximately 60mg of caffeine per cup, it offers a gentle yet sustained energy that perfectly complements its soothing qualities.

At 7 grams per ball, each serving is generously portioned to yield a full pot of tea, making it an excellent value despite its premium status. The ability to re-steep numerous times further enhances its worth, providing an entire day's worth of enjoyment from a single ball.

In conclusion, Friday Tea's Ming Feng Shan Dragon Ball Sheng Puer is a masterpiece that would be the crown jewel of any Pu-erh collection. Its balanced complexity, remarkable endurance, and overall quality make it a must-try for both Pu-erh aficionados and those new to the world of aged teas. While its current unavailability is lamentable, it stands as a shining example of the heights that Sheng Pu-erh can achieve. For those fortunate enough to have secured some, each brewing session promises to be a memorable journey through the finest expressions of this revered tea tradition.

I first came here for the TMNT pizza box sampler for my wife, then stayed and purchased 4 kinds of aged teas to explore what I liked and what I want to purchase more of in the future. This was the second variety I tried and it is a really great tea, but it is not the tea for me. I did as previous reviewer Kamille suggested: I looked up how to brew properly before using any of the aged teas I purchased and used a gaiwan and a small teapot purchased from my local Chinese grocery for all of my teas. I am new to brewing this kind of tea, though, so while I followed the directions and process I watched from YouTube sources and read about, I could probably have better technique.

Floral and very, very bright with long, full leaves. Beautiful green-y to yellow-y depending on the infusion. Smells amazing! I did a flash brew to rinse and ended up getting somewhere between 10 and 12 infusions before I stopped using it. I could definitely have gotten more infusions out of this, but I was done and ready to move on. The mineral-y-ness didn't start to come through for me until the 3rd or 4th brewing when the brightness and astringency had calmed down a little bit. The floral "sunshine-y-ness" never relented in this one and while I can appreciate those aspects, I definitely preferred the dark assertiveness of the cooked puer that I tried first. My wife, however, who really loves oolong teas and white teas, enjoyed this one immensely. Maybe I'll cultivate an appreciation in the future.

This tea is a bright tasting white tea that maintains a beautiful palette, even on multiple infusions. Highly recommend looking up how to brew puer tea properly for the best tasting experience.