Had a chat with a tea shop owner that flipped my thinking on aging pu'er

I was buying some ripe pu'er last weekend from this old guy in Guangzhou, and he asked why I always go for the young stuff. I said it's cheaper and easier to drink now. He laughed and said I was treating tea like fast food. Then he pulled out a 2005 cake from his personal stash and made me try it side by side with a 2023 version. The older one was smoother, had this deep sweetness, and didn't bite at all. Made me realize I've been too impatient with how I pick my teas. Has anyone else had a moment where someone older showed you a different way to think about something simple?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaretrivera1d ago

Started buying aged sheng after an old timer let me try his 90s brick and never looked back.

clark.iris1d ago

And that 90s brick opened your eyes to what patience can do. The difference between young and aged sheng is like listening to a song live versus a mastered recording, the older one just hits cleaner. Once you get past the rough edges of new tea, the payoff from storing it right is worth the wait.