Shu Pu-erh “7692”, Dayi factory, 357 g, 2020

The renowned Menghai factory “Dayi” is well known among pu-erh enthusiasts, as is this example under the number “7692.” The numbering is decoded as follows: “76” — the year the recipe was developed, “9” — the grade of leaf size, “2” — the factory number.

Visually, the cake is made from good-quality material, with a noticeable abundance of buds. It is tightly compressed, but a pu-erh pick or a bit of extra effort will help break off the desired amount.

The aroma of the dry leaf is restrained, but once rinsed with hot water, it opens up with notes of tree bark, nuts, cherry pit, and a subtle nutmeg-like sweetness. The liquor is noble and mature, offering flavors of dark chocolate, nuts, and a мягкая пряная йодистость.

The tea qi is brisk, clear, and refined. An excellent shu pu-erh for all levels of familiarity with this type of tea. Suitable for all brewing methods.

Recommended brewing: water around 95°C, using 4–8 g per 100 ml for gongfu brewing, or 5–7 g per 0.5 L for steeping.