Liu Bao Cha: taste and beginner brewing guide

A little context

Liu Bao is a dark tea from Guangxi; storage affects flavor and does not prove safety.

You are curious about earth, wood, dark sweetness and want a fuller cup. Taste varies by maker and batch.

You dislike earthy aromas. Reject tea with visible mold or an unexplained unpleasant odor.

Start with a shorter steep. Keep the leaves out of the finished drink.

Ask about storage and processing as well as the date. Young and aged examples can both be enjoyable; compare a small sample.