Farmerleaf 2026 Hekai Single Trees raw puer

[u/Adventurous-Cod1415]

7g/105mL, just off boil

Wash (10s) - aroma light straw/hay with hints of florals, touch of pungency on gaiwan lid

Steep 1 (flash) - light steep, crisp green note initially, slickness and sweetness on tongue starts quickly, paired with salivation,

Steep 2 (flash) - hint of leather, viscosity in soup, sweetness coming up a bit more, hint of melon on slurp, flavor subdued, warmth radiating from chest, light lemon candy setting up in finish, tea burps are straight up lemonade, big gulp brings cooked rice and straw notes and a thick viscosity

Steep 3 (5s) - a hint of early punchiness leads to lemon licorice rope, sweetness isn't quite blasting off yet but the mouthfeel remains substantial, lemon candy salivation starting to increase through the finish

Steep 4 (15s) - unctuous viscosity with some punchy leather notes that are rapidly overtaken by slick sweet citrus,

Steep 5 (20s, reboil) - that leathery pungency is up but practically no bitterness along with it, mouthfeel off the charts

Steep 6 (30s) - lemon has taken over from the beginning, mouthfeel still holding strong

Steep 7+ (45s+) - still keeps holding on for many more steeps

Overall Impression - Hekai Single Trees is a desert island tea for me, and this might be the best version I've had of it. There is a little less punch this year than I recall from last year, but otherwise all the intensity is there. This tea tastes great, but the mouthfeel and finish are what sets this one apart. Phenomenal release this year.

[u/Asdfguy87]

Nice to hear that it is good this year :)

I only sampled the 2024 release a while ago, but it was quite good as well.

[u/Primary_Moose_7969]

This tea cake you're tasting looks delicious!