I’m so proud! For the first time in my life, I managed to unwrap a #tea brick without tearing it at all. White Whale indeed!
http://babelcarp.org/babelcarp/babelcarp.cgi?phrase=zhuancha&define=1
https://social.tchncs.de/media/IODGL3rP_zlivxtZTPc
The purpose of the exercise, though, wasn’t to test my prowess with a #puer needle: http://babelcarp.org/babelcarp/babelcarp.cgi?phrase=chazhui
It was to steam the brick to make it easier to flake off leaves, as I’ve been urged by many, most recently by my Twitter friend Zhen: https://twitter.com/ZhenTea2014/status/954545014863929344
You can see from the picture of the pot that steaming the brick didn’t release much sap from the leaves, which is a relief.
On the other hand, look how much bigger the steamed brick is than its unsteamed sibling. No way will it fit in its wrapper now!
/end
https://social.tchncs.de/media/dAZl_kpIc1ZvOM4rM3Y
https://social.tchncs.de/media/W34IgVYY2qz77KvXAuk
What pushed me over the edge toward steaming a brick was drinking tea this morning with a friend from a puer producing family. She assured me it wouldn’t ruin the tea’s aging potential.
So I did it. Here’s how the steamed brick looks from the top and bottom.
https://social.tchncs.de/media/qeIKrk3C5bfp6hR3MEo
https://social.tchncs.de/media/0lO4hf7RfVjXUP8ybuM