2011 "Zi Qi Dong Lai" Ripe Puerh Cake 150g

The Purple Air coming from the east

"Zi Qi Dong Lai" in translation: The Purple Air coming from the east. This saying refers to the sign that appeared on the sky when Laozi decided to leave into a desert to become a hermit. He was then caught by guardian Yin Xi in Hangu Pass. Yin Xi became his student. He asked (forced :-) Laozi to write a book about his teachings. And that is how the book Tao Te Ching was written.
The cake is small, 150g . There is a New Year motive of an old Taoist nn the cover. It reminds the new year 2011, when the cake was made. It is a blend of two materials from Menghai. The first is from Haiwan TF 2006. The second component is 2008 material from Gontingu, made in small TF in Menghai.
The cake is firmly pressed, however the tea can be well separated. I am adding couple of loose tickets to the whole tea piece. The first infusion after the flush, I am steeping a longer time until the brew gets darker red colour. The whole piece of tea is still holding together.
Tea scent is earthy and pleasant. Wet leaves smell earthy at first, then woody. The aroma reminds bamboo. Finally there is a fruity aroma.
The brew colour is a brownish-red.
The taste of the firs brew is dominated by woody flavour that stands out mainly in the back of the mouth and tongue. The aftertaste is slightly astringent with a hint of metallic and earthy sweetness on the tongue.
The second infusion has already dark red-brown colour as mahogany wood. The taste is very full. The distinctive taste of bamboo, fruit tones, ending with a pleasant astringency on the back of the tongue. The energy is strong. It nicely worms up belly.
Even after the third infusion the piece of tea is still holding together. The colour is almost black. The best infusions were second till 5th. They also contained fruity flavour components. Tea endurance is long. Very good ripe pu-erh. $12 for 150g.

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