Reviews
Great price/quality ratio
"Here’s a clearer, more readable version of your review while keeping your voice and impressions intact: --- This was my first time trying Liu Bao, after having experience with both ripe and raw Pu’er as well as Fu Cha (and most teas from white to dark). From what I understand, Liu Bao isn’t prepared quite like Pu’er, even though it shares some similarities. In terms of taste, it reminds me a bit of ripe Pu’er—mushroom, wet forest, earthy notes, and a noticeable drying effect in the mouth. But it also brings some distinct characteristics of its own. **Parameters:** 5g / 100 ml • 95–100°C • 2 short pre-rinses • Steeps: 15–25–35–45–60s, etc. ### First Steep * Strong lime/whitewash note (like fresh renovation work) * Chalky character * Very dry mouthfeel * Thick texture ### Second & Third Steeps * Liquor turns very dark, similar to ripe Pu’er * Chalkiness fades and the flavor becomes more mature * Light sweetness with blackcurrant notes * A bit of camphor, but surprisingly little wet-pile taste (which I appreciate) * Still very drying, and I started feeling slightly tea-drunk ### Fourth & Fifth Steeps * The tea becomes a bit sweeter (but not overly so) * Even drier mouthfeel * Liquor shifts from black to reddish * Blackcurrant remains the dominant note, with a bit more camphor I didn’t pick up the leather or chocolate notes mentioned by others. For me the profile stays in the realm of forest fruit and damp earth—though less “wet” than the ripe Pu’ers I usually drink. The aroma especially reminds me of lime, chalk, and whitewash, almost like being back in a house under construction. ### Sixth Steep and Beyond * More camphor-forward * Mouthfeel remains very dry * Sweeter --- **Overall:** Try it! I own Pu’ers that cost more but offer similar quality, so this feels like a good value, especially given the year it was produced. It’s a great tea for autumn, winter, or rainy days. Personally, it’s not an everyday drinker for me, but I’m glad to have it in my collection at this price. My tea pet also liked it."
— Andrei (4/5)
Exactly what you're paying for
"Cheap, bulk Liu Bao that serves its purpose. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn't need to be. Nice to have a basket around to dig into whenever you want, serve to others, etc."
— Keith D. (4/5)
Reliable Black Velvet
"Perfect daily drinker Liu Bao. Veg tanned leather, decaying log, sweet, velvet smooth, and thick. I'm mostly enjoying it as a grandpa style thermos tea to keep me warm and energized through the day. The novelty of getting tea in a basket is also a selling point for me."
— Casey W. (5/5)
Betel nut and camphor
"Betel nut taste is very foreground, with camphor and mushroomy after-taste! This is one I am setting aside for further aging!"
— David L. (5/5)
Fantastic
"First Brew is quite normal, but second brew the taste of Liu Bao is like usual, very satisfying and fantastic"
— Hasan H. (5/5)
A good daily drinker
"After doing a comparative tasting of a few of the different Three Cranes recipes, this one won out as my choice for an affordable daily drinker. Betelnut forward with some wet-pile flavor, but still relatively balanced for an affordable shu liu bao. It doesnt have the most stamina, getting mildly astringent and losing complexity in longer sessions, but this can be helped by brewing at higher ratios and shorter steeps, which remains practical given the cost. This is a tea that I'm happy drinking most mornings. I'll be getting a basket after I run through the bag I got."
— Juniper T. (4/5)
Good daily drinker
"Good daily drinker"
— Chris Y. (4/5)
Tasty tea
"I got a whole basket, and I’m glad. This is a nice tea for everyday for me. Sweet, with barnyard pu erh notes and a hint of camphor"
— Rebecca (5/5)
Heicha for the win!
"This is my first taste of Liu Bao. My palate prefers fucha to Shu Pu’er and I was curious to know how I would like this tea. I’m finding it rather tasty, with none of the pooey puerh cringe that was invoked by the Cha Tou I also purchased. The tasting notes all hit true. Liu Bao wins!"
— David E. (5/5)
