★★★★☆
I like the easy use of the pearls. The tea is not as smoky as I would like, but still enjoyable.
Generously sized for teapot brewing, this extra-large pearl gives the term tea ball new meaning.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with Pu-Erh Pearls, including flavor, aroma, preparation preferences, strength, and how the tea fits into daily routines. Browse the full review history page by page to compare tasting notes, steeping tips, and favorite ways to enjoy this tea.
I like the easy use of the pearls. The tea is not as smoky as I would like, but still enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this. Comforting is a great word to describe. It's very smooth. I will steep a second time and see how it holds up. Second cup just as good as the first. This tea reminds me why I gave up coffee. It's delicious
This tea is... weird. I do not mean this in a bad way at all. rather, it is a unique taste that is hard to describe. It is extremely earthy and pungent, and the smell was enough to put off some of my students who sniffed it. With that said, it is flavorful, and steeps multiple times very well.
OMG this is mild and very good. I will order again
I have just opened this tea and I thought that others mike like to know about my experience. I make tea in a glass 1-liter French Press. When I opened the package, I was surprised at the size of the Pearls. They are between 1/2' and 3/4' in diameter. I was not sure how may pearls to put into my French Press, so I put in 4. This was too many. 1, maybe 2, would have been a better choice. I let the tea steep for about 4 minutes and watched the pearls fall apart. They didn't open like a flower, they kind of fell apart and formed a mass in the bottom.
The taste was really good - kind of an earthy, almost 'clean straw like', but certainly there was a tea taste - not overly bitter, but pleasing. The second cup I poured was, of course, stronger than the first, but still not too bitter. It was good tea. I liked it quite a bit.
I suggest using only one pearl to begin with and add more as you experiment with what you like.
As some others have said, it does sort of smell like fish. However, the taste is very subtle and smooth, no matter how long you brew it. I get two brews out of every pearl. The first I brew about 5-7 minutes and the second about 10-15 minutes. Definitely one of my favorites!
strong, smoky taste that I just loved. I have to watch it on the caffeine content, though. Good for earlier in the day.
These are great. I enjoy trying odd teas, this is ok for new tea drinkers but also heavy enough for seasoned ones. Full bodied and leaves a pleasant after taste lingering.
This is not, as they say, my cup of tea. I take it this type of tea is either a 'love it or hate it.' My husband really liked it though
It's a good tea, the smell reveals so much about time.
Wow, these things look and smell quite funky. And taste-wise, I can see the 'fishy' criticisms. But I still liked it. It was strong, and the benefit of not having to weigh out the tea was nice for me. I don't know that it's something I'll buy more of, but I'll enjoy the sample I have.
Smooth. Oh so smooth. What keeps me from enjoying most black teas is the bitterness. I feel like I have to add so much sugar to make them drinkable. Not so with these pu erh pearls. Didn't pick out any unique flavors, but sometimes you just need a comforting cup of plain tea.
Absolutely perfect for making an entire pot of tea! I'm sad I only got the sample pack.
The pearls are my favorite. They're so easy to plop in a tea kettle. I've been able to get two or three normal steeps out of one Pearl.
I love pu erh teas. They are very earthy in their scent and taste. I can drink pu ehr any time and it is always enjoyable. It is a hearty tea which is historically a medicinal tea. Whenever I do not feel well a cup or pu ehr tea always gives me a boost.
First, a clarification about the note on the website which states that the sampler of these pearls 'makes 10 cups' of tea: that's cups as in volume, and not as in number of drinks or initial steepings. The reason for this is because, as Adagio states in their description of these pearls, they are 'generously sized!' The sampler I got contained five pearls, but they're twice the size of the Black Dragon Pearls, and perfect for the full 16oz volume of my Ingenuitea, and hence my larger mug or travel thermos.
As for the tea itself, it's quite good! It definitely has that dark, bold quality that I like about pu erh in general, and the flavor doesn't lean overwhelmingly towards the 'fish' end of the spectrum like Adagio's Pu Erh Poe. The tea from the pearls is much smoother, with an earthy, slightly spicy quality. I detected a couple hints of subtle coffee-like flavor, as well as something akin to cinnamon. I do prefer the Pu Erh Dante in terms of flavor, and not to mention the ability to brew a smaller amount if I wish (without cutting one of these big ol' pearls in half, at least), but this is still some good stuff.
I'm gonna go do a second steeping... :)
Before buying, I read the reviews and steered away and decided to try the Hazelberry Puerh. I love that one, so decided I should give 100 Puerh a try, so I went ahead and ordered the pearls. I wan't disappointed and did not find anything 'fishy' or 'musty' as others reported. Only question is how much water to steep with. My teapot was 32 ounces, I used about 24 ounces and came out very good. Even good iced!
Got this for my dad, who is a die-hard coffee drinker, and now he drinks it pretty regularly. Would definitely recommend it for folks looking for an alternative to coffee.
Not the best pu erh, but it is fun to watch the pearls unfold. Any pu erh is delicious, and these are no exception, but I would rather drink one of the other choices available here.
Nice earthy and grass or hay like flavor. Doesn't sound appealing but it actually is very good. Also re-steeps well which is great.
Great pu erh tea, very smooth. Perfect size for small teapots
Any shu pu-erh that tastes like swamps or old fish has an undesirous, possibly unhealthy, microbial growth due to improper handling of the leaves while wet. Two washes and multiple brews, cup after cup, this smelled and tasted like fish so old it had decomposed to a mushy, rotted mess. I am so sorry I ever tried this tea. Anyone want a free sample of pu erh pearls?
Very nice. I have had better Pu Erh teas before, but this one is not bad at all. On the malty side, but doesn't seem to have a mandatory brew time. I pour boiling water over a pearl and let it sit until drinkable with no risk of bitter flavors.
has fruity notes when opening the bag. easy to portion when brewing. just drop a pearl in. a solid black tea
I love this pu erh pearl tea! I find this tea to be very similar to pu erh Dante in flavor but the pearls offer a fun and convenient package. A single large pearl can brew an entire pot, steep multiple single infusions, or be tossed in a travel bottle to be refilled all day. The flavor can even be diluted if brewed too strong, and the price is totally worth the flexibility and convenience the pearls offer. I think the taste and smell is like smokey toasted hay with hints of leather but with a smooth, never bitter, clean light flavor that doesn't cling to your mouth. And, I have to wonder if the fermentation process adds any additional health benefits beyond those already found in a fabulous cup of tea? Either way, I truly enjoy this tea!
Love the convenience of the pearl drop serving and the taste was one of my favorites...robust.
These pearls make it easy to make a strong, bold, earthy pot of tea. I use one pearl for my small (24 oz.) pot, and it is plenty.
This is a bit of an odd experience for tea. I can definitely see how the other reviewers thought it tasted like moss or mildew. For me it tastes like hay or a pasture. But even though that sounds bad, I actually really liked it. I used one pearl for two cups of water. Would order again.
The tea tasted like hay, I over steeped it, but none the less it had an odd smell/taste.
I have been drinking this tea for years. It is always earthy rich flavor. I love the pearl shape for multiple brewing.
I have had a really difficult time learning to appreciate the earthiness of pu erh. This is the first pu erh that I've honestly enjoyed. It's earthy without tasting musty or mulchy. It doesn't overwhelm your palette, and the second steep (5:30 @ 212 with a slightly reduced amount of water) produced an almost identical cup to the first steep. Definitely a good place to start for pu erh beginners!
Great tea, fantastic aroma, earthy taste with colorful color.
I would have to say that I agree with another reviewer that this tea reminds me of horses and certain barn smells. Good tea with earth and ranch notes
Loooove these pearls, I pop one in my 16oz tea tumbler in the morning and keep adding water throughout the day. I typically get 6 tumblers out of it before I really feel it's too weak to be worthwhile. I love that it allows me to just leave the tea in and I don't need to worry about a timer.
I am torn about this one...on one hand, you really only need one pearl for good flavor (which is really economical), but the flavor is very typical for pu erh. What you are paying for here is presentation. I would just buy the normal pu erh and then get this for a visual treat every once in a while.
This is my GO TO tea for the morning. I don't start my day without it. It just makes me fell better. We all have our favorites and this is mine.
Controversial perhaps but I'm sold. Love the mellow, earthy, rich, smooth flavor of the puerh. It steeps again and again.
Excellent pu erh. Rich colors, not tannic at all as per pu erh. Great smell, esp after the first three steepings.
Great tea to sip the stress of the day away. Although there are some earthy hints, this is very easy to drink and has lots of subtle layers. I have heard pu erh compared to drinking compost or potting soil but I didn't detect any of those flavors.
Great pu erh, the pearl size is large and perfect for multiple steepings.
great tea with full body refreshing flavor. a bit strong for some (personally prefer strong tea).
I always forget how amazing pu-erh is! VERY smooth and mellow, the flavor is startling given how dark it steeps out. Don't be fooled: this tea will NOT steep out bitter. sweetening it is unnecessary and almost a crime. Woodsy flavor with a smooth, clean finish, great for mornings and work days!
To me, it's not enough taste. I'm Taiwanese and enjoy really smooth and strong pu erh. This was just so so.
I was feeling edgy and tried 3 pearls, but then had trouble sleeping. One pearl is a wonderful pick me up.
Nothing special. Smooth, earthy flavor. Not worth the price.
Each pearl is a treasure. Beautiful red hue in the cup, fantastic nose, and full flavor.
Great flavor, doesn't smell too good but still a favorite
This is really good to make a pot of tea with. The balls are big enough for 3~4 cups and the flavour is good.
This is a very good earthy tea. Enjoying it a lot.
Was eager to try this tea, and it did not disappoint. I'll have to buy more soon. :)