TANGERINE PUERH
MEDIUM-STRONG
This tea has been packed and dried inside of a hollowed-out tangerine peel, resulting in a woodsy character with citrusy overtones.
A traditional Chinese preparation of puerh. Read more about this tea on our blog!
Online exclusive. Available until end of December 2025.
Price
Price
$5.95
PRICES LISTED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS (CAD)
This tea brews a brownish-orangey cup, with a light body, and thinner mouthfeel. The flavour is woodsy, earthy, a bit like incense and rooibos, with a dried orange aroma on the initial sip, and a medicinal aftertaste.
Chenpi, or dried tangerine peel, has a strong medicinal-orange taste, unique and aromatic.
Compared to Sticky Rice Puerh, this puerh is much lighter in body and brews much softer in the cup. It's more comparable to our Tribute Puerh, but with the addition of the unique aromatics of chenpi.
This tea is crafted by hollowing out green tangerine peels, stuffing the empty peel with shou puerh, and allowing the tea and peel to dry together in the sun. This allows the orange oils to infuse throughout the tea.
Dried tangerine peel, called ‘chenpi’ (陈皮) is often aged on its own and used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine); it has a strong, medicinal citrus flavour, and compliments well to puerh’s aging potential. The tangerines used with this tea come from Xinhui, Guangdong, known for its quality chenpi. Often, the citrus oils of the tangerine will concentrate on the surface, leaving a waxy, white residue on the peel that enhances the flavour.
"8685" marked on the individual packaging indicates a recipe number; many puerh producers have standardized recipes that have become famous over the years.
Remove the plastic wrap and rice paper before steeping. It’s recommended to steep with boiling water for ten seconds and discard before steeping properly; this ‘rinse’ helps to open the leaves up for better brewing. A good strainer is also essential, as the small leaf can slip through some coarser strainers. Brew temperature 205 °F to 212 °F.
Brewing with a mug
Scoop out roughly 1 tsp for a regular-sized mug (8 oz) in a strainer (or reusable teabag). Break off a piece of the orange peel and add this in. Pour over boiling water, discard after ten seconds (this rinse helps open up the leaves, and wash away any small broken leaves). Using freshly boiled water, steep for two minutes. Second steep, three minutes. Third steep, eight minutes. Steep-time can be adjusted for a larger mug. Add an extra minute to all of the times above if you prefer a stronger cup.
Brewing with a teapot
One whole orange is too large except for a very very big teapot, so it’s recommended to scale using the ‘mug’ method above. Pour over boiling water, discard after ten seconds. Steep at two minutes, serve by pouring through a strainer, but leave the leaves in the teapot. Top up teapot immediately with fresh boiled water and keep steeping. Top up teapot as needed after each cup poured until the tea loses flavour.
Brewing with a gaiwan
Use 1 tsp of leaf and some broken orange peel, and adjust steeping time depending on size of the gaiwan (100-120 mL). Rinse with boiling water as above, to help open up the leaves. First, second and third steeps, twenty seconds each; pour through a strainer. Increase by ten seconds for subsequent steeps.
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Steeping the Best (Guide)
Different types of teas should be steeped according to certain times and water temperatures to bring out their best flavours. Use this guide as a starting point, and then experiment until you find the perfect brewing method for your favourite tea.
Based on approximately one level teaspoon (2.5 g) of loose tea or one tea bag per 6-8 ounce (180-240 mL) cup. For stronger flavour, add more tea. Brewing for longer may increase the strength of the tea, but will likely also cause bitterness.
Tea Bags vs. Loose Tea
While our tea bags and loose tea are crafted to match the same flavour profile, there are discernable effects between the two formats. Namely, the leaves inside tea bags are milled, making it much finer and a quicker brew, while loose tea can take a couple minutes longer to steep. Tea bags are very convenient, but loose tea can be more visually appealing and brewed with a reusable infuser.
- Tea bags: steep for 3 - 4 minutes
- Loose tea: steep for 4 - 5 minutes
General Steeping Temperatures
The table included here shows some general guidelines for steeping different kinds of tea. Be mindful that some teas, even two from the same category, will brew differently than others. In particular, our green-black blends will often have different ratios of green and black teas - the more green-leaning ones should be brewed at a lower temperature range. Experimentation is highly encouraged, as tea is very much a matter of personal taste.
Puerh and oolong teas are often steeped multiple times for a shorter period of time in smaller brewing vessels. This method creates a curious exploration of the tea as it unfurls, developing new flavours with each subsequent brew - often making for great social conversation.
If you're unsure, try steeping in the middle range for your tea type. If the result is too bitter, steep at a lower temperature or for a shorter time. If the result is flat, try a higher temperature.
All About Iced Tea
Cold Brew - Recommended for green, fruit and herbal teas
A convenient way to make iced tea and forget it. Many teas take as little as 2 hours, but leave in the fridge for 24 hours for best results. Cold brews can last up to a week when refrigerated, with the exception of fruit teas (real fruit pieces) lasting up to a few days due to sugar content. Blueberry Green and Spring Green are excellent cold brewed.
- 1 teaspoon green or herbal tea per 1 cup cold water, refrigerate 1-24 hours
- 1 tablespoon fruit tea per 1 cup cold water, refrigerate 1-24 hours
Hot Brew & Chill - Recommended for rooibos, black, oolong, and green-black teas
Short on time? Make your hot tea at 2-3x the regular strength, then flash-chill over ice! A strong concentrate of tea can be diluted with ice to suit your tastes. Lemon Black, Black Currant and Canadian Breakfast do exceptionally well with this method.
- 2-3 teaspoons tea per 1 cup hot water, brew 5 minutes and pour over ice
Iced Tea Additions - Try adding fruit juice or soda water, or milk for an iced tea latte
For a refreshing twist, mix half lemonade or fruit juice, or add some fresh fruit or crushed mint. For an iced latte, make your tea extra strong and top it up with milk. Try this method with our Earl Grey or Bombay Chai!