Jinglong Tea FactoryPuerh Tea Mini Tea Cakes (25 Pcs) Ripe Mini Tuocha (4.4 Ounce)

UPDATE: 9/1/22My original review was 1-star and complained of a 'nasty chemical cleaner odor'. It smelled exactly like it had been stored near scented laundry detergent. I've since learned that some puerh teas actually naturally smell this way and that several of my tea buddies confirmed that Jinglong is a reputable tea company.So my apologies to Jinglong and the seller (I think it was Asiaseller) for the poor review due to my ignorance. It's just I had drunk a lot of puerh tea over 10 years and had never smelled anything like this before. I have a bit of a trigger to scented laundry detergent, so perhaps my brain was making an association that simply isn't there.The tea itself is actually decent. Earthy, dark. Not much character beyond that, but for the price for a ripe puerh, that's normal. But there's no sign of actually bad poor like mold or fishy odor/taste. Leaving the bag open for several months seems to have greatly reduced the "laundry detergent odor" though it also has probably dried the tea out, further reducing it's character. I will try re-hydrating the tea with some 69% humidity packs in their own bag and see if that improves the character/depth of flavor.The seller was very kind in refunding the price of the tea when I complained about the bad smell. Now that I know it's not actually bad tea, I will probably make another purchase of perhaps one of their cakes to give it a try. Usually cakes are made with higher quality tea than the smaller mini-tuos (this product).

I purchased this tea out of curiosity while reading a book written by Breanna Hayse, my favorite author. The reviews were good, so I figured- why not?OMG!Steep the tea using a strainer (I let sit for about 2 minutes). Unlike green teas, the leaves aren't really edible BUT you can use them for a second or third cup. I let it steep longer with the repeat cups. You can also toss the cake in a big mason jars, add 2-3 cups of water, and make sun tea. It's great hot, cold and reheated.Now, for the flavor/aroma- I didn't know what to expect, to be truthful, but was incredibly pleased by what I found. It's a black tea- smooth, rich, just the perfect amount of bitterness. I added vanilla creamer and fell in love! It all depends on how you like your tea fixed-- the flavor is very flexible and adapts to different methods. (Dad tossed some orange zest to steep with it and loved the tiny hint of citrus)I enjoy teas in general (Dad's from UK, so it's bred into me) and my grandmother had a mind-boggling collection, but never this stuff. The 'fermented' flavor is light and distant, and leaves a curious taste in the palate that urges you to keep sipping.It was also a FAST pick me up! Forget the coffee-- I'm hooked.The cakes came in little foil wrappers- and were LARGER than what one would get in a standard US tea bag. The only downfall is you have to strain it, which means you can't just take it with you to a restaurant and pop it in your cup. That's an easy solution, though... bring a couple of tea filters along for the ride and you're set.

I took a few pictures of my first experience.You can see the bag they come in, an unwrapped cake next to a standard 2 liter bottle top, the cake after I broke it up, the cake after being steeped four times after an initial rinse, and finally the end result.I followed the directions for my initial cake using water at around 210F. I rinsed it for 10 seconds and disposed the rinse. Then I had four sessions of steeping, 6oz each, for 2 minutes each. I mixed all four together in my 24oz tumbler and poured by first cup.It has a very pronounced earthy flavor. I didn't detect any foul taste or bitterness during the sip nor in the aftertaste. That being said, the flavor was not as complex as I am used to, but 20oz of the tea I typically use would cost me $200.... this was 9 times cheaper. While I like my other tea more, my wallet likes this one.I drink 24oz of tea each day, it's how I start every morning. Even though this is not my favorite, it is acceptable, and a good value if you drink a lot of tea.

I have drank bad tea for almost 40 years.... time for a change....The first cake was enjoyable and does not taste like any tea you have had before. 1 cake made a full days and evening pot in my new tea system. ( 1.5 liters) ( iced it was really good.) ( invest in a kettle with an infuser and a heat pad that keeps it warm---iacook)The pot the next day had a slightly earthy- fishy taste. not unpleasant....Then I learned why people drink this... I was in a completely different mindset--- working with clients and clear and intoxicated on tea!!!!No wonder the English and the Tibetans went crazy for this stuff. Makes getting out of bed on a cold morning so worth it !!! Lets go wrestle a few yaks!! Make an empire before lunch!so I cut back for a few days, alternating with other black and green teas.( I like kingdom of heaven green tea).so I am back and bought a package of fifty.I bought a brick of 8 year aged.... and I like this better.the brick is messy to pick off of, and theses buttons are just the right size for a large pot.took it camping and its the best.helpful u tube videos tea the story of a leaf. tea road to the skies.I have drunk this for a few years now. I mix with some brick. use heavy milk a sugar cube. its very good for my stomach. most batches are really good. I really love it. great for travel and camping.For travel I take a metal water bottle, $ store gauze pouch. brew in water bottle. pour off and add travel milk and sugar. works like a dream. no more bad tea.