"Mike Petro" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> DPM wrote:
> > Well, I took a pu plunge - got my first pu-erh tuo cha (Xiaguan Gold Tuo
> > Cha) from Teaspring. Before I try it, I have a question: the one I got
is
> > from the 2004 harvest. If I whack off a chunk to taste it and then
decide
> > to age it for a few more years, does cutting/breaking the cake affect
the
> > aging, good or bad? Or is this tea not worth worrying about in this
regard?
> >
>
> Hey Dean,
>
> Just go for it. Break off enough for one sitting and you can still age
> the rest if you so choose, it's not a problem.
>
> Mike
> http://www.pu-erh.net
>
Well, I tried my pu tonight. I tried to replicate your "wrongfu" method:
1. Heat water to 190. Measure 2 heaping tsp of dry tea.
2. Pour 1/2 cup over tea, immediately drain and discard.
3. Wait 1-2 minutes.
4. I then made 6 infusions of 4 oz each: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 seconds.
5. Tasted. With all six the predominate flavor I get is wood smoke. Steeps
4-6 begin to show a little astringency, but still smoke more that "tea".

Is this to be expected? It certainly looks like green tea in the pot, but
the smoke is not abating. Shall I keep going?

Thanks for your help.

Dean