"I opted for the name Dragon’s Breath for the trail of mystical incense aroma and warming energy that is the signature of this premium blend. This is a serious blend, composed of old puerh from the 1980s to 1990s that has been meticulously processed in small batches. Upon awakening the dried leaves, a subtle waft of heated incense greets the nose. The richness and opulence of the aroma brings a touch of Kodo "Way of Fragrance" to the tea session. The brew is substantial and thick, possessing sophistication and a depth of complexity that is absorbing. During the course of the tea session the different facets within the brew opens up to notes of rich wood tones, old resins, red fruits, sweet jam, vanillin, a fine minerality whilst maintaining a harmonious balance. The energy of the tea radiates warmth. Closing my eyes I sense an ebb and flow of chi and circulation, revitalizing the body and mind."
Not all blends are created equal. It has to be mentioned that some puerh tea blends are the result of combining leftover and unwanted stock, pushing out what amounts to be a clearance sale. Blending is a wondrous art of creation and when treated as such a thoughtfully crafted blend is an artful orchestration of notes that conveys the creativity and unique signature of the tea blender. The result can be new and innovative, as well as insightfully measured in composing a more complete and balance expression of a tea. Blends that are crafted with this consideration offer an entirely different proposition for appreciation.
Being the creator and blender for Dragon’s Breath (an Old Puerh Blend) I thought it would be interesting to share the story behind this blend. As someone who loves natural incense and Kodo in particular I was inspired to craft a blend that could capture the beauty of the two arts. Kodo the "Way of Fragrance" is a Japanese traditional art that values and appreciate the beauty of natural aromas. Natural incense contains volatiles and oils that upon inhalation can shape our emotions and open the mind, instilling a sense of peace and serenity. Kodo covers a wide range of natural materials but the most sought after comes from a group of rare fragrant woods namely agarwood and sandalwood. These majestic woods have throughout history been used by royalty and nobles, as well as spiritually in religious offerings and ceremonies. The noble and mystical aromas from these precious woods add to the magical scent in Dragon’s Breath.
As a blender the harmony and balance of a blend is something I greatly value. A well-crafted blend requires planning and underlining clear objectives. The skill to blending ripe and raw puerh or any other tea with unique and different characteristics is in understanding their strength, weakness and compatibility. Desirable characteristics and attributes are accentuated whilst others are assigned secondary roles in accordance to the formulation of the blend. Sipping from my cup I was pleased to note the complexity of the raw character at the fore with the ripe playing a supporting role. The fragrant wood tones lifted the qualities of the age puerh adding an element of sophistication. This is a concentrated and substantial brew and observing it slowly unfold to present layers of subtle age nuances (derived from multiple decades) makes for an absorbing experience. In the eyes of a blender the harmonious integration of blended components is a very satisfying result. I hope these thoughts and considerations provide an insight into some of the planning and approach that was taken in the creation of Dragon’s Breath (an Old Puerh Blend).
Wishing everyone the best for the holidays and better times for the New Year 2022.
- Varat Phong -
Brewing Tips
Dragon’s Breath is a blend that was composed from multiple teas from the 1980s to 1990s. To attain the best consistency it is recommended that 8g min. is used for each tea session. It is worth noting the quick release during the early steeps and this also extends to lengthy intervals between steeps that can lead to seepage from the wet leaves and an overly strong brew. In such a case a double steep is a good way to balance out the overall result. The following are recommended parameters for Gongfu brewing that can be adjusted according to individual preferences, 8-10g (for 120-150ml), double rinse (wash), thick clay vessel, boiling water.
Dragon’s Breath is a blend that was composed from multiple teas from the 1980s to 1990s. To attain the best consistency it is recommended that 8g min. is used for each tea session. It is worth noting the quick release during the early steeps and this also extends to lengthy intervals between steeps that can lead to seepage from the wet leaves and an overly strong brew. In such a case a double steep is a good way to balance out the overall result. The following are recommended parameters for Gongfu brewing that can be adjusted according to individual preferences, 8-10g (for 120-150ml), double rinse (wash), thick clay vessel, boiling water.
The ripe/raw blend is a timeless classic
Dragon's Breath brings a touch of Kodo "Way of Fragrance" to old puerh tea
