Can freshly made Pu erh ripe tea be steeped in water?

YuanJia131

Many tea enthusiasts prefer to steep newly compressed ripe Pu'er tea directly with a heavy hand.
Actually, when new ripe tea is first produced, the tea liquor is bright red, with a sense of sweetness and stickiness already present. However, it may also carry a faint fermentation aroma typical of fresh tea. At this stage, if it is immediately stored in an airtight condition, this aroma can become more pronounced.
Therefore, it is more recommended to use a covered bowl. The covered bowl dissipates heat quickly, resulting in a clean infusion without overpressing the tea leaves. This is especially true for freshly brewed aged tea, as using a covered bowl helps achieve a refreshing and pure taste.

The amount of tea leaves should not be too much. Unlike some teas that require heavy infusions to develop flavor, ripe tea releases its taste quickly. A general ratio of 1:20 to 1:25 is suitable, and further adjustments can be made based on personal preference. The water must be sufficiently hot.
Ripe tea brewed with boiling water will yield a more mellow and sweet tea liquor. If the water temperature is too low, the tea may taste dull and flat instead.
Rinsing the tea is also important. Fresh ripe tea usually requires one to two rinses, with quick infusion and short steeping. This ensures a smoother tea brew when drinking it properly later.