Chicago Tea Garden Loose Leaf Pu-Erh Tea 'Large Leaf from Old Trees Pu-erh'

Tea Information:
Tea: Large Leaf from Old Trees Pu-erh
Type: Pu-Erh Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Chicago Tea Garden
Purchase: Here
Description: This pu-erh is made from the large leaves of old tea trees. It is aged in loose form, so there is no need to purchase a large cake. This tea is bold and earthy with a smooth, sweet lingering aftertaste. These leaves have been aging in a man-made pu-erh cave in the United States since the mid-90s.
Ingredients: ?

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 6 ounces boiling
Tool: Mesh basket strainer in cup
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: leafy, muddy

Steep Time: a little over 30 seconds
Steeped Tea Smell: leaves
Flavor: muddy
Body: Medium
Liquor: translucent orange brown

Tossed, I guess this counts as the rinse

Steep Time: a little over 30 seconds
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, leaves
Flavor: muddy, sweet, silky
Body: Medium
Liquor: translucent orange brown

Steep Time: a little over 45 seconds
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, leaves
Flavor: muddy, sweet, silky
Body: Medium
Liquor: translucent brown with an orange hint

Steep Time: a little over 45 seconds
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, leaves
Flavor: muddy, sweet, silky, bitter
Body: Medium
Liquor: translucent light orange-brown

Since it got bitter I stopped.

I think next time I may try 2 tsp / 6 ounces. Perhaps this will raise the rating?

I am very new to pu-erh so I'm finding may way through. I may end up not liking it. So I am not sure if I do or do not like pu-erh in general, or even if I prepared these leaves correctly.

Rating: 1/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing