Raw vs Ripe Pu'er
Sheng and <a href="/tea/menghai-shou-puerh/">shou pu\'er</a> look similar but taste very different. Learn the difference between raw and ripe pu'er tea.
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Sheng Pu'er Is Raw
Sheng pu'er is made from sun-withered leaves that are steamed and pressed. It is greenish in color, often bitter-sweet, and evolves over decades.
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Shou Pu'er Is Ripe
Shou pu'er undergoes accelerated fermentation to mimic aged sheng. It is dark, earthy, smooth, and ready to drink soon after production.
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Flavor Differences
Sheng can be floral, fruity, astringent, and complex. Shou is typically earthy, woody, sweet, and mellow with notes of cocoa or wet forest.
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Caffeine and Timing
Young sheng can be high in caffeine and stimulating. Shou is generally gentler on the stomach and lower in caffeine, making it suitable for evening.
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Aging
High-quality sheng is prized for aging. Shou is designed to be consumed relatively young, though it can smooth out over a few years.