Two different cups
Ripe, or shou, uses wet piling to develop a dark character. Raw, or sheng, takes a different processing and aging path. Ripe can taste earthy and woody; raw varies with age, production and storage.
Choose by taste
Ripe is not a fake shortcut and raw is not automatically better. For a dark earthy cup, ripe is a starting point. If earthiness puts you off, explore raw separately. Neither is automatically caffeine-free.
Try small portions
Buy small samples with clear descriptions. Follow instructions for the actual product and compare aroma, mouthfeel and finish. An old date or famous name cannot tell you whether you will enjoy it.
Ready for a starting point that fits your taste?
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