Tea Review: Gong Ting (Imperial Court) Pu-erh Type: Loose Shou Puerh Traditional Origin: Yunnan Province Harvest Season: April Recommended Infusion Method: Gaiwan or Yixing Pot Purchased From: New Century Tea Gallery, in Seattle Washington
Review by Miles
I'd love to say I knew more about this particular tea which I am reviewing today but unfortunately, like many other pu-erh names, Gong Ting is very commonly used and is not very specific. This was not from a cake so I wasn't able to snag any more specifics. So for the sake of this review, I will just note that the Gong Ting I tasted today may taste very different from the Gong Ting you may sample. On top of the fact that taste is subjective, when different tea plantations are producing under the same name, there is bound to be diversity in taste. Hopefully, the Gong Ting you try will be to your liking.
This is probably one of my favorite pu-erhs for a few reasons! While I do not consider myself a pu-erh expert in any way, I have had the opportunity to sample some delicious pu-erhs during my trips to the international district. The tea vendors there are always so generous and always let us try new teas, even some of the more rare + expensive ones. While Gong Ting doesn't necessarily compare to some of the nicer aged-pu-erhs, it still provides a complex and deeply rounded taste which I crave. The added bonus is that it is affordable without being too rough (like some of the cheaper pu-erhs)). I can drink it in the morning and get a wake-up kick from the astringency but I prefer to drink this tea after a meal; it aids digestion and brings about a mellow, reflective state (as most tea does).
The aroma has that lovely earthiness that only cooked pu-erh can provide. It reminds of wet top soil in a rainy Northwest forest (I win for the cheesy images). The initial taste is rich and full-bodied, possessing a powerful astringency that is slightly pungent but well-rounded. As it sits in the mouth, the body gives way to a series of opulent aromas: mainly of peat and earth with a mild note of wood. The finale consists of a slight raw taste mixed with an updraft of sweetness, leaving the mouth feeling a bit heavy and relaxed.
I am always surprised how many steeps I can get out of pu-erh. While my yixing pot is small, I can get 4 or 5 infusions with the same dark amber liquid as the first. The astringency definitely subsides as the infusions continue but when the tea is finally done providing its gift, it is quite obvious (no need for those awkward watery infusions that you can't decide whether to drink or not).
I would definitely suggest this pu-erh for anyone interested in trying pu-erh or for those who just want a nice daily-tea.






