D-CN-014
Pu-erh Loose Leaf (Mao Cha)
普洱毛茶
Uncompressed raw sheng pu-erh, from Yunnan, China.
Dark tea (post-fermented)
Pu-erh Loose Leaf (Mao Cha) is strongest on brightness, aroma intensity and finish length. Typical tasting words: apricot, honey, fresh grass, mineral, orchid. Mao cha represents the raw, primary processed state of tea before it is sorted, blended, or compressed into traditional discs and bricks. Tasted critically by buyers directly at Yunnan farm gates to assess raw quality and terroir before commissioning compression.
Also known as Maocha, Loose Raw Pu-erh and Unpressed Sheng Pu-erh.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Yunnan, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. assamica
- Harvest
- spring flush
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 5 to 12%
- Roast
- unroasted
- Leaf
- twisted
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- worthwhile
- Forgiving to brew
- 3 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: withering, then pan-firing, then rolling, then sun-drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Pu-erh Loose Leaf (Mao Cha) carries a typical estimate of 55 mg of caffeine, within a range of 35 to 75 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 85 to 92 °C | 2 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 90 to 95 °C | Rinse, then 10 s, 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 35 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 2.5 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 8 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- meditation
- midday
- study_focus
Pairs with nuts, poultry and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: no.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- D-CN-001Sheng Pu-erh (Young Raw)
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shares aroma intensity and finish length - B-IN-019Darjeeling First Flush
shares brightness and aroma intensity - D-CN-008Menghai Pu-erh
shares finish length and sweetness - O-IN-043Darjeeling Oolong
shares brightness and aroma intensity - D-CN-015Wild Arbor Pu-erh
shares brightness and aroma intensity
More: all dark tea (post-fermented) teas, teas from Yunnan, China, or filter the whole drawer.