Review: Norbu Tea 2008 Yi Wu Mountain Bamboo Roasted Pu-Erh Tea

Dec 26

Review: Norbu Tea 2008 Yi Wu Mountain Bamboo Roasted Pu-Erh Tea

Scott’s Teaview Snapshot

"A tea that evolves over multiple brews, each one better than the next. Tastes like no other pu-erh I've had."

Scott’s Teaview:	7.9/10
Other Teaviews:	Troy gave it 9/10, Lynn gave it 9.5/10, Dan gave it 7.8/10, Jamie gave it 8.5/10
Your Reviews:	Add your review »

According to the website, www.norbutea.com, "Yi Wu mountain is located in Mengla County, Xishuangbana Prefecture in the far south of Yunnan Province. It is a well known growing area for excellent quality, mild flavored Pu-Erh. In early Spring 2008, Yi Wu Mountain tea was picked and processed, then lightly compressed into lengths of an aromatic subspecies of bamboo native to Southern Yunnan. Traditionally, the bamboo tubes were then roasted over a wood fire dry out the tea and the bamboo for storage. In this case, the tea-filled bamboo sections were then baked in a low temperature oven room to dry them out and to prevent mold from forming. During this low temperature bake-drying process, the aromatic compounds in the bamboo permeate the tea leaves and infuse them with a beautifully vivid & unique sweetness."

I would definitely agree. I recently have been getting more in-depth with pu-erh tea and it truly is an acquired taste. Some are strong and earthy, others are sweet but funky. The range of pu-erh out there is quite amazing and this tea is certainly one of them. The site recommends brewing at near boiling for three minutes but I decided to do it more gong-fu style. I don't have a Yixing pot but rather my cupping set. I found that this pu-erh really comes into its element in the third steep, so I'll start with the second.

Steep 2: Steeped for 45 seconds at 208F. The liquor has turned from the pale yellow of the first infusion to a rich gold. It smells very lightly of earth and honey. The taste is of earth, with some pleasant bitterness in the background. It's definitely poised to open up at this point.

Steep 3: Steeped for 1 minute at 208F. The liquor is still an amber gold as before. The nose is a light smokiness and grass, almost like a brush-fire. The taste is similar to the smell. The smoke permeates with a vegetal and earthy taste. Also has a clover honey taste as well. Really delicious.

After this the brew gets pretty thin but its to be expected. The leaf quality is good; mainly whole leaves and buds. Overall, this is a pretty solid tea. It isn't as deep and brooding as I like pu-erhs and I don't honestly think it is a good "beginner" pu-erh as it is pretty different from the normal style of pu-erhs. While a little too mild for my tastes it is still a good cup, none-the-less.

— To purchase Norbu Tea 2008 Yi Wu Mountain Bamboo Roasted Pu-Erh Tea, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.