Pu-Erh Dante Customer Reviews

The dry tea has smells of raisins, fish (which surprised me given no-rinse needed) and earth.
I did my best to get as many different time intervals out of the first brew as possible to try all the different flavors this pu'erh could offer. I brewed at 212.
I tried my first seep at 1 minute; the liquor was already quite dark. Mild; soft, lubricating; mushroomy; earthy: slightly sweet. Already flavorful and enjoyable. At two it is more one-note mushroomy and earthy with a soft feel; at three it is mushroomy with a hint of pine and ever slightly astringent. Four really brings out the funky, fermented mushroom and earth flavor. Five is more balanced, mushroomy but sweet again. Six further brought out this sweetness and a lovely balance; mushroom and earth are about equal. Six was also the first time I was able to detect a metallic taste!
At this point my infuser basket had no more openings above the water in the teapot, but what an excellent experience. I was really surprised that I actually liked one minute steeping the most! though six is also quite lovely.

1 helpful votes

Part of the November 2020 CommuniTEA box. Tried it both hot and cold - I miss the astringency in the tea.

1 helpful votes

Pu-erh just tastes like dirty fungus to me. I've tried for a long time to adapt my palate to the flavor but I just can't do it. It improves with a second steeping but I just am not a pu-erh fan.

1 helpful votes

There is a woody, fish smell when I open the CommuniTea packet, so I remember to rinse the leaves for 15 seconds in 212ºF water. Now they are ready to brew. The color is such a deep, dark reddish brown. The aroma is woody and earthy, and takes me back to my youth, visiting my aunt and uncle’s farm drying in the sun after a heavy rain shower. The smell is the scent of those summers, of running through damp dark, cow churned pastures, or breathing in the dank fields while baling hay with my cousins. The taste (which is better than the smell) is of sweet, dry hay, like the bales we would climb on for hours in the barn (even though we were told it was too dangerous). That warm hay loft had a unique, pleasant smell and this tea’s flavor is just as pleasant: very full bodied, with a warm, smooth mouthfeel. There is no bitterness or astringency on my tongue. I steep a second cup a little longer, and mix it with the first. I add ½ teaspoon of Truvia sweetener ( to 10 oz of tea) and the hay taste is mellower. Adding light cream makes this now a delightful, creamy tea, with dark chocolate notes. Yummy. The third steep is just as good. The way this tea’s flavor adapts to each additional additive (and has no bitterness), makes it ideal to use in creating blends. (15 second rinse, 3 steeps: 1st at 4 mins @212º F; 2nd at 8 mins @ 212º F; 3rd at 10 mins @212º F).

14 helpful votes

To start off this tea smells like dirt and earthiness. I brewed for 2 minutes. The mushroom flavor comes thru. It’s a nice tea I wasn’t expecting to like.

1 helpful votes

Pleasantly earthy, like tending to a garden and stopping for a drink with dirt still on your hands. It brings the outdoors in, and it's so smooth.

7 helpful votes

Oily and with a fish smell. I do not like. I brewed as normal, however. And I hear they need special treatment

1 helpful votes

This tea is deeply earthy, savory, with a mushroom character to it. It feels like if you added salt and brewed it strong, you could end up with a broth instead of a tea.

...and I kind of absolutely love it. There's not a single bitter, tannic note to it, which makes it really sippable for me. It's complex and a little Splenda brought out a sort of nutty characteristic that was really pleasant. It's a moody tea that is in no way going to be everyone's cuppa, but it's definitely one of my go-tos.

4 helpful votes

Wow, what an interesting tea! This is my first time having pu-erh. The scent is like earth, mushrooms, and leather. The taste is smooth and reminds me of a the damp forest floor. I am enjoying it. I kind of wish I hadn't read the reviews mentioning the fishy smell though, because now I can't stop noticing it! Apparently rinsing the tea is a thing, so I am excited to try a second steep of this. I am also interested in trying further pu-erhs and blends now.

2 helpful votes

This is my first time having Pu-erh tea and forgot about rinsing for the first brew. Despite that I really enjoyed this tea. The first brew had mild earthy notes. The second brew had earthy, woodsy notes that reminded me of walking through the woods. I really enjoyed it and want to try other varieties in the future.

1 helpful votes

There is a very mild earthy aroma and taste to this pu-erh tea. It definitely benefits from a quick rinse to get away from the fishy taste. Mellow, earthy and woodsy describe this very mellow version.

4 helpful votes

This tea reminds me of a woodland cottage, like having tea with the witch that lives in the woods. It is earthy, smells slightly fishy though. A quick rinse helps with that. Will this potion change me into a frog? Maybe, but it is worth it.

4 helpful votes

Well, I think I should have rinsed this. It smells vet mushroomy to me which is not what I’m looking for in a cup ode tea. I do like the taste however, very smooth and interesting.

2 helpful votes

To be completely honest, I do not like the smell of this tea. One flavor that I cannot get into is earthy, and I was afraid this tea would taste how it smelled. Luckily, it did not. The taste is very smooth and lacks the tannin taste I dislike about a lot of caffeinated teas. I haven’t tried the rinsing method mentioned in another review but I think I will do that next time to reduce the smell.
(212 for 4 mins)

1 helpful votes

I can really taste what makes the pu erh hazelberry tea special now that I’ve had this tea! The hazelberry is my favorite go-to tea, and I can taste those earthy and smooth drinking flavors of the pu erh solo. Not something I would buy because I love the hazelberry so much more, but it’s quite good!

8 helpful votes

The smell of dry leaves in the packet was earthy, in a good way. Like walking in the woods after rain in the spring. I had high hopes. The taste was more fishing from the bank while standing among a bed of wet mushrooms. I maybe should have tried the rinse thing others are mentioning. The first cup was extra fishy and mushroomy, after a few sips I dumped it and did a second steep. It was less fishy, but I didn't care for it any more than the first cup. I really wanted to like this tea. There was zero bitterness, seemed like you could get multiple steeps that all had flavor, and was a lovely dark, rusty brown color. But the smell was hard to get past, and the taste didn't do it for me. (reviewed through CommuniTEA; 3 min @ 212F)

3 helpful votes

'Indulged' with the CommuniTEA on 11/19/2020. I do not drink much pu-erh and I was excited to try this one today. Unfortunately, I have to agree with other reviewers that it mostly tastes like hay. Adding sugar helped but only insomuch as it then tasted like sweet hay. I am not going to finish my cup today.

4 helpful votes

Just not my thing! I love pu-erh blends but stand alone, to me, it does smell and taste like the inside of a barn. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5 min @ 212

1 helpful votes

This tea is entirely too earthy for my taste. I'm not a fan of this on its own. That said, I generally really enjoy the pu-erh teas in signature blends because they bring a nice balance and a really lovely texture. Just...super not for me on their own, evidently.

1 helpful votes

Nothing to write home about. The very little taste that was there, was hay. Yes, it smelled and tasted like hay. At least I assume that's what hay taste like, judging by the smell.

1 helpful votes

Ahhh, Pu’erh teas are my favorites! Very mild earthy aromas were noted from my communiTEA packet. I decided to do a test rinse for any fishy flavors. I placed the tea in my steeper and slightly covered it with hot steep water for 15 seconds. I tasted and sniffed the water and noted no fishiness. So I kept any remaining rinse water, topped it off with fresh hot steep water, and continued on with a 4 minute steep.

When hot, a stately dark brown color was noted in my cup. Very mellow earthy tastes were noted. I added a bit of sugar, to see if I could intensify tastes. When warm, pleasantly mild and tasty sweet cocoa flavors were noted all the way to a dry slightly astringent finish (a good thing.) So far, the first steep was drinkable, but not very high in flavors

Second & third steeps were wonderful with extremely mild barn hay flavors. I know it sounds strange, but I enjoy this in a pu’erh. I knew I was drinking a pu’erh at this point. The color of the liquor was more intense in color than the 1st steep. Mild cocoa flavors remained. These steeps had more flavor than the first. This one is good for at least three steeps.

Pu’erh Dante would be a great pu’erh for first-timers, as it’s a really mild, and simple tasting tea. Very mellow indeed. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great tea, but I prefer my pu’erh teas to be a little stronger in tastes. (Rinse not needed, 4 mins @ 200ºF, 1/4 tsp sugar)

35 helpful votes

Lovely pu-erh. I've done an initial 30 sec rinse with pu-erh and enjoy multiple steeps. This a mellow, comforting, earthy - can see this as a daily tea.

3 helpful votes

yes yes yes! the original description is SPOT ON for me ' clean, damp forest aroma, dried mushrooms, leather, and earth. Some sweetness of figs or dates and a slightly creamy flavor'. I could sip this all day ass is. I am partial to earthy teas and this is a delight.

6 helpful votes

I am a big Pu-erh drinker but i think this is the first one I have tried from Adagio... i live in Hong Kong, and if i am honest this tastes exactly like Chinese Dim Sum restaurant Pu’erh. If that is what you are looking for... look no further!

4 helpful votes

Puerh varieties, being aged, often benefit from a 15 second rinse before drinking. This was my first try rinsing before drinking, so I tasted the rinse. Nice earthy mulch tones. Yeah, mulch works pretty well as a descriptor.
The second pour I steeped for 3 minutes at 212° and the results were a cleaner taste. It has a deep earthiness. I wasn’t swayed one way or the other, until I added some half and half to it (barbaric, I know,) and after that it took on a nice richness that would make a very suitable breakfast tea. Puerhs have probiotic properties, so I’m considering making the switch.

11 helpful votes

Unfortunately, this particular pu'er wasn't for me. Not all of Adagio's Pu'ers are bad, but none of them are really great unfortunately. They seem to shine when blended with other flavors, however, I'll give them that. But in this tea, I really just got both the aroma and taste of fresh cut hay and not much else.

1 helpful votes

A solid ripe puerh. Not top quality or anything, but for the price it can't be beat. No fishy smell like I get with some ripes. Brewed gong fu style.

3 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

This is a very mild tea. I like my tea hot, so i normally don't let it steep for more than 5 minutes. Maybe if you can leave it for 10 to 15 minutes it may have more flavor.

5 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

This is my first time trying a Pu'erh tea and I was hesitant at first due to the barnyard scent while it was steeping but I really enjoyed it! Very smooth and no bitterness or astringency. I would like more earthy notes so I'm going to try steeping it for 5 minutes next time. Definitely worth buying again!

3 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

A fragrant pu-erh with a nice, earthy flavor. Great for when I really need an extra burst of caffeine.

3 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

Very nice and deep unusual flavor. A very nice everyday tea.

1 helpful votes

This tea reminds me of being in scouts and going on campouts anywhere between Louisiana and Tennessee

5 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

Really great for the price, nice and earthy. Also lots of brewing options for time and temperature.

15 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

Apparently I don't like pu-erh teas, I discovered. But hey, gotta be willing to try new things. Tasted like wet dirt as far as I was concerned.

8 min steep · 210°F · 1 helpful votes

Great pu-erh. I've always been a puerh fan, though.

5 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

A little less robust than I was expecting, but wonderful flavor.

10 helpful votes

My absolute favorite “new” tea. Never gets bitter and has tons of caffeine.

1 helpful votes

Pu-erh is my new favorite tea. I findi really like the earthy flavor. But only steep 3 min.

Pu-erh continues to be my “go to” tea and the Dante is my fav Pu-erh. I never get tired of it.

3 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

My first puer since getting into tea. Out of the package it smells like tobacco and wood, and also a faint musty smell. Full bodied and smooth. Very low astringency. Caffeine seemed high. Not being a fan of puer, i can't comment on its quality, but it wasn't a good match for my personal taste

3 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

I tasted little coconut...it was great for my taste buds

1 helpful votes

This is my favorite Pu-Erh tea on Adagio. I was drinking from a brick i purchased many many year ago - but this is even more right on the spot! So smooth and earthy yet not overpowering earthiness. It used to be my special treat but now I drink it every morning!

1 helpful votes

Did not like this tea. tasted like mud. perhaps if I play with proportions & brewing time? too earthy for me. still, glad I tried it! Thanks for the wide selection, Adagio!

1 helpful votes

Pu-erhs can be hard to get down right. This one has a nice fermented, brothy aftertaste. However, it masks the underlying notes a bit much for me.

1 helpful votes

This one wasn't my favorite, but it was my first time trying a pu-erh.

1 helpful votes

Whenever I need a bit of a pick me up, I go to this tea. It has a very rich body, more than any other tea I have had, and is very peaty. It's definitely not for everyone, but it is a tea I always need to stock.

4 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

Tastes like an overcast, damp fall day in a corn maze or hay field.

1 helpful votes

This tea evokes the feeling of riding a horse through an open field on a misty morning, which is to say it tastes like warm hay. I just cannot figure out whether or not I like it. I have nothing bad to say and I definitely don't dislike it, but I'm not certain that I actually like it either. It just is what it is.

2 helpful votes

Perhaps I am simply not a pu-erh person... but honestly, for me this was not an enjoyable tea at all, even when I brewed multiple infusions of what I understand to be a proper gong fu specification (10s, 5g/100 ml). This is the first pu-erh I have tried, so I'm uncertain if these teas are simply just not to my liking, but I did not enjoy the 'stagnant mud puddle' taste of this.

212°F · 1 helpful votes

This tea has a strong, earthy flavor which I imagine is probably not for everyone, but I m definitely a fan. The 5 minute steeping time indicated on the package is not long enough to get the full complexity of flavor out of this tea; I would recommend steeping at least 10 minutes, if not longer. The 5 minute steep time has a rather shallow, barnyard-y flavor, but steeping longer reveals a surprising depth and sweetness. I ordered the sample, but will be ordering more.

10 min steep · 212°F · 1 helpful votes

Bought this tea for my dad who is a big pu-erh drinker. I make a pot of it each day and finishes the pot in no time. Good flavor and the tea is of great quality. Will be buying for him when the tea runs out.

1 helpful votes