PREORDER - 2016 Purple Dahlia Shou Puer (loose leaf)

This is a well-balanced, slightly aged loose-leaf Puerh from Friday Afternoon Tea. It's affordable and well-rounded, making it an excellent choice for a "daily drinker" shou. This tea is ideal for those who appreciate flavors and aromas of wet, woody, earthy, and damp leaves. Hints of minerals, peat, and even metal linger on the finish, evoking memories of clear streams in a forest.

Even the second steep reveals a rich mahogany hue. Its aroma features damp oak wood and leaves, with a touch of a root cellar or cave-like scent (an almost pleasant mildew aroma).

The flavor of the second steep is incredibly robust yet smooth. A burnt, smoky undertone complements the bright mineral notes. While it rarely becomes bitter, there is a threshold where the flavor can become overly strong. I recommend quick, short steeps for this shou, as it can intensify quickly.

I believe this would be a great and affordable choice for those new to Pu-erh tea, offering a solid example of ripe Pu-erh. It has just enough aging to provide a strong, well-rounded flavor that can hold up in Western brewing, yet will truly showcase its shou character when steeped Gong Fu style.