2012 Gu Ming Xiang Bulang Gushu Shou Puerh

One whiff of this tea, and you know it's going to be good. Unlike some teas, which taste entirely different from how they smell, this 2012 Gu Ming Xiang Bulang Gushu Shou Puerh doesn't disappoint. The aroma of the dry tea is rich and robust, and it gets the saliva flowing!

This unique Shou Puerh is made from trees 200 years old - (these ancient trees are called 'Gushu' 古树). Unlike some teas which advertise 'Gushu' for marketing purposes, but only use a small percentage of ancient tree material , this one is 100% Gushu - a rarity. This tea was picked in the Spring flush of 2012 from high altitude tea gardens in the Bulang Mountains of Yunnan.

I purchased a 250g bag from Crimson Lotus Tea - a small Seattle based company specializing in Chinese Puerh. To brew the tea, I used 5 grams and a clay "Yixing" teapot - my preferred method for brewing Shou Puerh.

Using spring water right off the boil, I start with two quick rinses. The heated tea releases a deep, sweet aroma, almost dessert-like - it's amazing. For the first infusion, I let it steep for 12 seconds, then pour a rich brown/red, almost crimson-colored liquor.

The tea tastes rich and velvety, with high viscosity with a terrific mouthfeel. It is nutty (hazelnut) and slightly woody, with hints of nutmeg and a molasses/caramel sweetness. Well-rounded flavor, and the sweetness lingers in the throat. I add 10 seconds or so to each subsequent steeping.

Unbelievably, the tea continues to become sweeter and mellower, really peaking by about the 5th steep. Excellent Cha Qi. This tea is everything I like in a good Shou Puerh - rich, sweet and smooth. The leaves are very generous, and I'm able to get nearly a dozen solid infusions. Even after starting to thin out, it remains sweet, subtle and very drinkable.

I would highly recommend this tea. Period. It is an exceptional Shou Puerh in general, but especially so for the price: at $40 for 250g (around $1 a session!), it is affordable enough to be a daily drinker. Do yourself a favor and grab some while you can. To order, or if you wish to check out some other exceptional Chinese Puerh teas, visit www.CrimsonLotusTea.com