Crimson Lotus Tea’s Altered State: A Raw Puer in Its Prime
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a raw puerh ages just past its peak freshness, Crimson Lotus Tea’s 2021 Altered State offers a masterclass in subtle evolution. At five years old, this tea sits in a liminal space—neither young nor aged, but poised to reveal its next chapter. The steeping journey is a study in balance, where brightness fades into mellow complexity without losing its soul. The first steep delivers a whisper of dried hay and faint fruit, a reminder of its youth. By the third steep, cereal notes and a soft sweetness emerge, easy to sip but far…