Classification: Special Pu Erh Small leaf - Shou “ripe/cooked” dark tea/aged tea
Cultivar: Yunnan Da Ye
Origin: China, Yunnan
Grade: Great quality
Leaf: Small, dark brown and lightly twisted leaves with fluffy/dust-like appearance. Fermented notes of wet forest earth and grilled food rising from the bag with musty and woody fragrance.
Infused leaf: Infused leaves are dark chocolate in colour with strong aroma of wet earth, musk and dingy cellar.
Liquor: Cup is deep brown-red, thick and murky, almost as a cup of coffee. Mouthfeel is full bodied, heavily peated with intense velvety, musty, mushroomy aroma. Taste is very sweet with persistence of burnt sugar and notes of figs, cherries and rhino droppings. Addictive and healthy tea with no astringency at all – only for Gourmet people :)
About: Shou Pu Erh is a modern invention from early 1970's developed because of high demand for Sheng Pu Erh which takes decades to age. Shou processing method is accelerated development of flavour in which Mao Cha is being exposed to bacteria. During this fermentation, mould produces organic acid and pH of tea will be reduced. Due to the mould fermentation, tea is completely fermented in a much shorter period of time. The colour of tea changes to dark brown and it gives a mellow taste with thick body. Shou can be stored up to 10 years.
