Second Chances in the Raw Puer Tournament: A Reevaluation
The verdict is in: some teas need time to reveal their true selves. After months of silence, I revisited four raw puer entries from Spring 2025—each one a candidate for redemption or rejection. The results? A mix of familiar favorites and quietly compelling surprises. The Spring 2025 Huey Wa Farmerleaf opened with a light, grassy profile, carrying hay and cereal notes that felt crisp and clean. But as the steeping deepened, the initial sheng funk lingered flat, leaving a faint, almost forgotten sweetness. It’s a tea that demands patience, but its rewards feel tentative. Meanwhile, Kallisti One River Tea surprised…