On Tue, 14 Feb 2006 22:28:46 -0600, Ozzy > wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I recently tried this cake, "2004 Mengku Wu Chi Dao Wild Large Leaf",
>
><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4428079052>
>
>and was just a bit disappointed. I'd be interested if anyone else,
>especially one of the Pu-erh people, has tried it as well, and what their
>reactions were. My tastes are still developing. However, it wouldn't
>come as a terrific shock to learn, for example, that the reason the tea
>is described as "affordable" (is it really a good value for wild large
>leaf?) is because the factory isn't the best, or that 2004 was an
>off-year there, or it really wasn't aged enough, or what have you. (Of
>course, could be that I just prefer cooked...)
>
>My ignorance is formidable, and a knowledgeable response would be helpful in
>reducing it. :-) Thank you.
>
>Ozzy


Hi Ozzy,

What I need to ask at this point is if you have tried any other green
puerhs? Green puerh is quite a different animal if Black puerh is what
you are accustomed to. Almost any young green will be bitter and
astringent, especially if it was not properly brewed.

How did you brew it? Try water around 195f and short, very short
infusions. Green puerh does not really become smooth until it has
20-30 years under it's belt.

I have tried this tea and it wasn't bad. While they are not my
favorite, Mengku teas are not substandard by any means as far as I
know.

--
Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net