What this is about

This is a collection of Puerh teas I've tried and tracked over time.

Finding good tea online can be tricky, especially when you're starting out, so I thought, why not share my notes? If it helps you discover your next favorite tea, that's lovely. You can search by name, region, tea master, or vendor - whatever helps you navigate the wonderfully bewildering world of Puerh.

How It All Started

Like most things, it started casually. I drank green teas and oolongs for their aroma, flavor, and a bit of creative energy. Then a friend introduced me to Puerh. At first, I wasn't convinced - the bitterness didn't appeal to me, though it had an invigorating quality.

But over time, something changed. I found myself returning to it, and slowly began to feel its depth. Gong Fu Cha, the traditional Chinese method of preparing tea made it even more intriguing. The practice gave structure and focus to the experience: no distractions, just tea. Each steep revealing a new facet of the leaves.

Eventually, I started ordering my own Puerh. Finding good tea online turned out to be harder than I'd imagined. But when I finally stumbled upon the clean, well-processed ones, it was like discovering a whole new world. The taste became secondary - it was about the depth, the energy, and the feel.

That’s when the notes started. I jotted down which teas resonated with me, which terroirs stood out, which producers seemed reliable. As always, things turned out to be more complex than they first appeared.

How I Brew

Gong Fu Cha gives me a moment in the day where I can slow down and just do one thing. No phone, no other tasks. Just brewing and drinking.

This creates an athmosphere, which allows every part of myself to come back to its natural rest.

I usually have one session a day, - tending to brew on the lighter side. I’ve noticed that my body is fairly sensitive to tea, and smaller amounts are usually enough to carry me through the day. As a result, my notes may read differently from those of people who prefer stronger brews.

I use a clay kettle and switch between different pots depending on the day - sometimes a gaiwan, but mostly yixing pots. Different clays bring out different qualities, and also how I’m feeling plays into what I reach for.

About the Ratings

My ratings (1–5 stars) are quite personal. They were initially meant only as a way for me to keep track of which teas resonated - and have naturally evolved over time.

As you probably know, rating tea is never straightforward. It’s not just about taste, but also about texture, depth, how it lingers, and the quieter qualities it carries.

The numbers are therefore only a starting point, an orientation, nothing more.

If a tea truly makes an impression, I mark it as FAV.

The Technical Bits

Behind the scenes, this is a Notion database I set up to keep track of teas that resonated with me - which ones stood out, which regions or producers seemed worth exploring further. With some help from AI, I built this front end to make it easier to browse before your next order.

Have ideas for improvements?

Know of a tea I absolutely must try? Feel free to drop me a line. I'm always happy to hear suggestions or answer questions about the teas here.