{"title":"The KUURA Archives","description":"In search of lost teas.","products":[{"product_id":"2014-i-cant-believe-its-not-honey-white-tea","title":"KUURA 2014 'I Can't Believe It's Not Honey' White Tea","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA jumbo 357g cake of perfectly rested and time tested white tea. Years layed down in the cellar have yielded an absolute fountain of nectar. Brewed any way of your choosing, this tea is not a substitute for anything, it's damn well better than the real thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOr as the \u003cem\u003ecavistes\u003c\/em\u003e at Kuura would have it:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter a long search, we've found something to soothe the tickle in your throat after our much loved white tea, \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/products\/2013-honey-jar-aged-white-tea?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=840c3ad79\u0026amp;_ss=r\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/products\/2013-honey-jar-aged-white-tea?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=840c3ad79\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eHoney Jar\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, left the building.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis aged shoumei white tea was picked and pressed in Fujian in 2014, and stored in Guangzhou dry storage since then. Fujian white teas such as this are known for their fragrance and sweetness, and the solid storage and age on this tea lends itself well to deepening those aspects. Thick, smooth, soft, sweet and soothing. This white tea does well gongfu, in a mug, in a big western style teapot, or boiled\/simmered on the stove or in a kettle.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe cakes are 360g, the traditional size for tea cakes in China based on Imperial measurements, so a fair bit larger than most of our in-house productions at 200g.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e Artwork produced in collaboration with \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eroductions\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eroductions\/\"\u003eEroductions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"357g cake","offer_id":40891003469975,"sku":"K14ICB360","price":110.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":40891003502743,"sku":"K14ICBsamp","price":12.75,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/2014-i-cant-believe-its-not-honey-white-tea-tea-kuura-487179_5000x_1a3f2fbe-936d-438f-aeae-ee1e2171398b.jpg?v=1630459344"},{"product_id":"kuura-2020-dissolver-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2020 'Dissolver' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe cake the myth the legend. When Kuura says they intend to blend to their own particular tastes and if you happen to like it all the better, this is what they mean. A statement, a standard, something to sit on and something to think about for a long time. Please enjoy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMissives on an anonymous Tumblr served up by the Internet Archive read:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiven the difficulties of this year, and our inability to be in Yunnan for the spring season, we focused only on teas we have zero doubts about. This blend is the exact same formula as last year, bearing in mind slight seasonal variation due to yearly weather changes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt starts off soft and thick, and slowly builds a hefty backbone and oily character with continued steeping, finishing off sweet. Lots of fragrance. When we started on this tea journey, this is the kind of tea we always wanted to make, for our own tastes; something more interesting than just showing up to various tea areas and pressing single materials into cakes. This is a tea straight from our cold, corporate hearts; an abstract idea that turned out better than we'd hoped.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the material comes from small, out-of-the-way, forested groves of what we would call 'old' tea trees, rather than young bushes. Read into that however you like, but it doesn't really matter; just drink the tea and decide for yourself.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpring 2020 material, pressed into 200g cakes. 5 cakes in each bamboo wrapped tong.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo lip tattoos this year. Although, if you want to get a tramp stamp or ass tattoo, get in touch. Maybe we can work out something. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe artwork is a collaboration with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/eroductions\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/eroductions\"\u003eeroductions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":41840143073431,"sku":"K20DRP","price":300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42566954385559,"sku":"K20RPDS","price":52.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/2020-dissolver-raw-puer-tea-kuura-286497.webp?v=1647032218"},{"product_id":"kuura-2022-ghost-2-0-white-tea","title":"KUURA 2022 'Ghost 2.0' White Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA SAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA reincarnation of our first white tea from 2017, ‘Ghost’. Picked and then dried directly in the sun providing a very simple expression of the characteristics of Yunnan’s unique tea resources. Thick and plush with ample sweetness and floral fragrance that surfaces steep after steep. Ageing over the years to come will turn flowers into honey and a darker coloured liquor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe artwork was a special commission by Jon Marshall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpring 2022 material\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e200g per compressed cake with five cakes in each traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e25g samples are cut\/broken from 200g cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":42624473563287,"sku":"K22WG","price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42624478380183,"sku":"K22WGs","price":12.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":42624473596055,"sku":"K22WGt","price":325.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/KUURAWRAPPED_17of32.jpg?v=1666395061"},{"product_id":"kuura-2022-a-flash-and-then-the-quiet-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2022 'A Flash and then the Quiet' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTES FROM HQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAn experimental production we’ve been planning for years\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003efocussed on potency, utilising materials from far out of the way patches of forest safe from prying eyes and recognition by name (and the associated pricing). A slight funkiness in the initial aroma smooths over into juicy bitterness with plenty of oily texture and sticky fragrance. A durable tea that delivers a dynamic experience for many steeps; the ever-fabled ‘unicorn’ of high quality but disproportionately affordable materials made possible by some long-term thinking and optimistic investment from years past.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpring 2022 material\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e200g per compressed cake with five cakes in each traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e25g samples are cut\/broken from 200g cakes and sealed into bags. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":42624565575831,"sku":"K22RPFQ","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42624565608599,"sku":"K22RPFQs","price":13.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":42624565641367,"sku":"K22RPFQt","price":350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/KUURAWRAPPED_5of32.jpg?v=1666392247"},{"product_id":"kuura-2022-subsurface-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2022 'Subsurface' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA SAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is our ‘affordable flagship’; material from a selected handful of high quality growing areas put together for high impact at an accessible price. Teas like this are what Yunnan is all about; unique biodiversity, undefiled trees (rather than industrially managed bushes)\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003esimple but careful processing\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eall coming together to give us tea full of character and strength that will give an engaging drinking experience for years to come as it ages. The tea is a little bit fruity with plenty of sweetness, thick texture and endurance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe artwork was a special commission by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sagejenson.com\"\u003eSage Jenson\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpring 2022 material\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e200g per compressed cake with five cakes in each traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e25g samples are cut\/broken from 200g cakes and sealed into bags. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":42624587989143,"sku":"K22RPSB","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42624588021911,"sku":"K22RPSBs","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":42624588054679,"sku":"K22RPSBt","price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/KUURAWRAPPED_3of32.jpg?v=1666392734"},{"product_id":"2022-tetralemma-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2022 'Tetralemma' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA SAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA refined graceful blend of high end materials from some of our favourite patches of old-growth forest across southern Yunnan. Focussed on balance rather than loudness this tea has a deceptively smooth\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003esweet-leaning character. Fragrant silky and with a lot of depth that might take you several sessions to fully appreciate. A high value pickup for those interested in exploring what old-tree puer has to offer or to stock up on and age for down the line where it will develop increasing thickness sweetness and surprising strength in both mouth and body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpring 2022 material\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e200g per compressed cake with five cakes in each traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e25g samples are cut\/broken from 200g cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":42624969080983,"sku":"K22RPT","price":150.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42624969113751,"sku":"K22RPTs","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":42624969146519,"sku":"K22RPTt","price":750.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/KUURAWRAPPED_7of32.jpg?v=1666406128"},{"product_id":"kuura-2022-entheone-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2022 'Entheone' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFROM HQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s often said there are teas that you choose to drink for the day and teas that choose how your day will go when you drink them. This is a gloves off classical style power drinker full of potent bitterness intense mouth and throat activity and a cooling \u003cem\u003ehuigan\u003c\/em\u003e that will hang around for a long time. A kinetic warhead; we kindly suggest making sure you have enough food in your stomach and time to waste in the day. A blend of quality material that speaks for itself in the cup and a great candidate for long term ageing owing to the legs it has to stand on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpring 2022 material\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e200g per compressed cake with five cakes in each traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e25g samples are cut\/broken from 200g cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":42626811789463,"sku":"K22RPE","price":605.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":42626811822231,"sku":"K22RPEs","price":93.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/products\/KUURAWRAPPED_13of32.jpg?v=1666493549"},{"product_id":"kuura-2023-parataxis-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2023 'Parataxis' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe ‘affordable flagship’ for 2023, ‘Parataxis’ is a raw pu-erh tea, blended from materials across southern Yunnan, China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlavour wise, this tea has a well balanced character, with plenty of sweetness, thick mouthfeel, a solid backbone of pleasant bitterness and astringency, and enduring fragrance from steep to steep. Classical raw puer should have a slight cooling sensation in the mouth and throat, and a flavour that sticks around after it’s been drunk, with a returning sweet aftertaste (huigan). The dry spring weather across Yunnan in 2023 means that this tea is very concentrated and expressive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis tea is an excellent all-rounder, for solid daily drinking, or for stashing away to age for the years to come. If you’re wondering how it compares to ‘Labyrinth’, this tea has more intensity in the fragrance and sweetness, and is a little more elegant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\/\" title=\"A multidisciplinary arts practice based in Birrarung-ga (Melbourne, Australia).\"\u003eEroductions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoftly Though...:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEvery year a daily drinker and we think, I could not love you more. Every year last year's daily drinker, daily drunk, a love we hope isn't only memories! Should we be surprised that a blended and versatile intertext of such materials, born outside the factories and laboured with love every step of the way, could age the way they do? Surely not, but every time the shock of --damn they done it again!-- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHave it, hold it, know you were told it -- what will you be drinking gratefully in 2025? It won't be 2019 Psychotropical, I wish it were 2020 ฿∅ᄱ♥ლ⁸ᐃᗴᚨ⁹ƀɑᗲʗ.exe. I won't make that mistake again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Parataxis literally is symbolic relation without like as or is - parataxis is the invisible bridge between disparate images. Inference emerging from the spectator and the stage. Parataxis is meaning self-evident, unspoken but expertly stated. It's me in the present and it's me in the future, carried together in equidistance by this tea. I'm drinking this tea, and I'm drinking this tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":43219880476823,"sku":"K23PRTX","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":43219880509591,"sku":"K23PRTXsam","price":13.25,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":43329103757463,"sku":"K23PRTXx5","price":350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/KUURA2023_1of73.jpg?v=1691629762"},{"product_id":"kuura-2023-labyrinth-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2023 'Labyrinth' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Labyrinth’ is a full-fat raw pu-erh tea at an easy price for hard times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe tea is a mixture of 2022 and 2023 spring maocha we banked up from some of our favourite dank little nooks of undervalued tea forest across southern Yunnan. The tea is fairly punchy and strong; approachable potency without straining your budget. The material comes from clean, biodiverse growing environments, and will reward you steep to steep through a journey from initial pleasant bitterness that transforms into lingering sweetness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIf you're just starting out or interested in exploring what makes raw pu-erh tea worthwhile, we recommend this one. If you're already knee-deep and need a reliable companion to match your drinking pace or aging aspirations, 'Labyrinth' is a worthwhile investment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWrapper artwork by Jon Marshall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn Soft Focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eClear clarion call opening, friendly astringency akin to yellow cedar - the sauna is an oven, anticipating water on the rocks. Less so floral than waxy - - sugar minus sucrose, hardly molasses but a kind of compacted resin rendered from where sugar was, or will be. Equal parts thick and slick, powerful persistence on the tongue. A hint of can this ever end? Hope.... not....Cactus, aloe, gatorade. Minerality like an avalanche, white pomace in a silent cascade.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":43220159889559,"sku":"K23LBTH","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":43220159922327,"sku":"K23LBTHsam","price":10.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":43329103790231,"sku":"K23LBTH-T","price":225.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/KUURA2023_6of73.jpg?v=1691641385"},{"product_id":"kuura-2023-macroscope-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2023 'Macroscope' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e2023 was a very dry spring in Yunnan, with vastly reduced volumes of tea produced. Macroscope is perhaps our best expression of the benefits of that dryness; the tea is strained and powerful, almost like it has been distilled. Thick, resinous, and oily in the mouth, with a hard-hitting fragrance and mouth-coating sweetness. What raw pu-erh is all about.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe materials used are all from old-growth trees nestled in pockets of forest, protected from the sun and with their own water sources to draw from with deep roots. If you’re a fan of our previous productions at this price point, we’d recommend hitting this one as hard as you can. The dry weather also means reduced volumes, and it was not possible to make as much of this tea as we would have liked. Blending at its best is a way to make a tea greater than the sum of its parts, and in this case we made a banger (in our humble opinion, of course).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca title=\"A multidisciplinary arts practice based in Birrarung-ga (Melbourne, Australia).\" href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEroductions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eIn Soft Focus:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eInto a realm of ether, we're hit purely by textures and energy. Initially, the aromatics are restrained, hard to grasp, like something in your peripheral. Savouriness to start, dense hard grain silo, bitterness a distant memory. Until deep in the journey, something else - the savouriness is pure protein, the desert has superbloomed, flowers of juicy fruit, hi-chew. Sweetness, silk. When bitterness says hello its a surprise visit from an old friend who can't stay long; gentle and sweet. The palate persistence is supernumerary, accumulating at multiples of the rate of inflation. Every synonym for edible oils, plump rich velvet encapsule. A banger that thuds, fissures of earth in naked revelation. One for the ages. \u003ca title=\"Avalon Emerson 'The Frontier (Official Video)'\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/m1DUG29Hcao\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\"Avalon Emerson - The frontier\"\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":43220189806743,"sku":"K23MCSP","price":210.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":43220189839511,"sku":"K23MCSPsam","price":33.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/KUURA2023_9of73.jpg?v=1691641899"},{"product_id":"kuura-2024-shanshui-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2024 'Shanshui' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Shanshui’ is the 2024 rendition of our affordable flagship raw puerh tea. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA blend of several excellent materials from across Southern Yunnan that we’ve been refining since we started, designed for no-compromise raw puerh with power, sweetness, longevity, and ability to age. The kind of tea that we reach for almost daily; there’s a strong fruity punch, well-balanced bitterness with returning sweetness to follow, and lingering fragrance. Thick body, with enough astringency for some backbone and still pleasant to drink without having to age it 20 years first. Although if you can keep your tongue off it, it will age into leatherwood honey; sweet with a nice fragrant kick.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA representation of the incredible value Yunnan has to offer; all the material is from trees growing unmanaged in lush tropical forest, with more age on them then you might expect at this price point.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\" title=\"Eroductions artist website\"\u003eERODUCTONS\u003c\/a\u003e. Pictures by Pingle Pictures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2024 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are cut or broken from the cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":44647884980375,"sku":"K24RPS","price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":44647885013143,"sku":"K24RPSs","price":12.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":44647890387095,"sku":"K24RPSt","price":325.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/Kuura-Corp-Spring-2024-tea-Raw-Puer-Sheng-Shanshui-Shan-Shui-200g.jpg?v=1728019322"},{"product_id":"kuura-2024-the-flash-and-then-the-quiet-part-ii-raw-puer","title":"KUURA 2024 'A Flash and then the Quiet' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe return of our budget bitter hitter; a classic Menghai style powerful punchy blend with quite a lot of bitterness, that will increase as it ages. That extra bitterness brings with it a matching \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehuigan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or returning sweetness, as a reward for your patient steeping. If that wasn’t enough this tea has quite an energy kick to match. Either way, this tea will make you feel something. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of our most aggressively priced teas of all time, thanks to multiple years of going off the beaten path and believing in the value of the material and environment, rather than the fame of the village. Grab a tong and thank us in 10 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2024 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eArtwork by \u003ca title=\"Eroductions artist website\" href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\/\"\u003eEroductions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are cut or broken from the cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":44647897235607,"sku":"K24RPFQII","price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":44647897268375,"sku":"K24RPFQIIs","price":10.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":44647897301143,"sku":"K24RPFQIIt","price":275.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/Kuura-Corp-Spring-2024-tea-Raw-Puer-A-Flash-and-then-the-Quiet-II-2-sheng-puer-cha-200g.jpg?v=1728018106"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-dark-red-black-tea","title":"KUURA 2025 ‘Dark Red' Black Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eExquisite, iridescent sun-dried black tea from Kuura. Let’s just say we shed a tear when we drank the last of our personal supply of 2020’s Dark Red… that tea was so enjoyable straight out of the gate, but 2+ years in was starting to develop such depth, and a fascinating dried leaf mulch undertone… worth stashing up on this for sure. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is so unique - not delicate, but still ethereal. Almost impossible to over steep, tannins like velvet. Deep, fruity, sweet, but soft on it's toes. This is exceptional now and will become something extra special over the months and years to come, if it lasts that long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA SAYS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother crowd favourite from years past, ‘Dark Red’ is a sun-dried ‘dianhong’ (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e滇红\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e diānhóng) Yunnan black tea, made from large-leaf material grown in the forests of Xishuangbanna. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis black tea - commonly known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ehongcha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (红茶 hóng chá) - was made with a high ratio of golden buds, giving it a strong fragrance and thick mouthfeel. When brewed, this \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ehongcha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has a rich, fruity fragrance and sweet, malty sweetness reminiscent of ripe stone fruit. It has a thick and smooth body with far less tannic bite than you might be used to with typical 'breakfast-style' black teas from elsewhere. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs is characteristic of many Yunnan teas, 'Dark Red' can be re-steeped many times in a single brewing session. It's versatile and dynamic - when brewed lighter, it results in a very gentle, sweet, and soft tea. When brewed stronger, it yields rich stone fruit flavours and a satisfyingly thick body with no drying tannins or harsh astringency in the aftertaste. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is one of our favourite Yunnan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ehongchas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of all time. Use the leaves for an afternoon \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/blogs\/education\/how-to-brew-good-tea\"\u003egongfucha\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (工夫茶 gōngfū chá)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e session in the park; cold brew it overnight for a delicious iced tea; or add milk (and optional boba) for a fragrant, caramel-malty, and rich milk tea. If you can manage to hold off drinking it for now, this tea will continue to change and evolve as it ages; developing deeper aromatics and more chocolate-like flavours over time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWrapper artwork by Jon Marshall.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePictures by \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePingle Pictures.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags by Softer Drink in Victoria, BC, Canada.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46220107808919,"sku":"K25DR","price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46220107841687,"sku":"K25DRs","price":10.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":46220107874455,"sku":"K25DRt","price":240.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-dark-red-black-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761351452"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-syrup-ripe-puer","title":"KUURA 2025 'Syrup' Ripe Pu'er","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis one was a crowd favourite. Simply delightful. A ripe that is enjoyable brewed with a light or a heavy hand. (Personally, we prefer heavy - pack that bowl and brew it thick!!!) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e2024 sold out in a matter of months so we will never know what it’s like in a few years, but if past ripes from KUURA are any indication, these teas are great out of the gate, but will taste even better in 2+ years. This year's pressing is as uniquely fragrant and fruited as the last. Gorgeous material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA’S NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNow in its second year of pressing, ‘Syrup’ returns to the KUURACORP lineup as our sweetest ripe puerh tea. Like biscuits and tea had a child, in ripe puerh form.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis tea is made from a blend of wet piled fermented spring tea material produced in 2023 and pressed in 2025 in Yunnan, China. Similar to its predecessor \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/products\/2024-syrup-ripe-puerh-tea?variant=44253560537274\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e2024 ‘Syrup’ Ripe Puerh Tea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, this ripe has a warm, earthy fragrance, a luxurious mouthfeel, and a notably sweet-leaning profile with zero astringency throughout. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen brewed, this tea has a warm, buttery fragrance, a rich and viscous body, and a tongue-coating sweet flavour that’s reminiscent of blackstrap molasses. There's a subtle saltiness in the aftertaste that leaves a distinctly moorish impression between sips. In comparison to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e2025 ‘Kuura-Cola’ Ripe Puerh Tea\u003c\/span\u003e, this ripe offers a more dynamic experience from steep to steep with each re-steep drawing out another dimension of sweetness from its buttery biscuit core.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e'Syrup' is a highly drinkable tea and suited to a variety of brewing styles. Whether you prefer a langurous \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/blogs\/education\/how-to-brew-good-tea\"\u003egongfucha\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (工夫茶 gōngfū chá)\u003c\/span\u003e session or quick-and-easy grandpa-style brewing, you can't really go wrong. Biscuits are an optional addition to the experience (but highly recommended). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eroductions.com\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eERODUCTIONS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePictures by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePingle Pictures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 tea material produced in Yunnan, China, pressed in 2025.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags by Softer Drink in Victoria, BC, Canada. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46220130746519,"sku":"K25SYs","price":8.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46220130779287,"sku":"K25SY","price":39.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":46220130812055,"sku":"K25SYt","price":195.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-syrup-ripe-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761357901"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-a-flash-and-then-the-quiet-vol-iii","title":"KUURA 2025 'A Flash and then the Quiet Vol III' Raw Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve ever wanted a vertical* of affordable and punchy young raw pu’er to stash away in the cellar, this would be a great candidate. We’ve still got 2023 and 2024 available - pick up some of each and compare them in the years to come. (Of course enjoying them young in the meantime!!!) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e*wine parlance for multiple vintages of the same release from the same producer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA’S OVERVIEW:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe third edition of our budget bitter hitter, ‘A Flash And Then The Quiet’ is a classic Menghai-style blend of raw puerh tea made with a focus on powerful, punchy bitterness. The ideal tea for after a heavy meal, for when you need to get stuff done, or when you just want to feel something. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tea has a bold, bitter-forward profile with a zesty bergamot edge to its fragrance. When brewed, this tea offers a potent dose of bitterness that’s effervescent, peppery, and palate cleansing. Compared to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/softerdrink.ca\/products\/kuura-2024-the-flash-and-then-the-quiet-part-ii-raw-puer?_pos=2\u0026amp;_psq=flash\u0026amp;_ss=e\u0026amp;_v=1.0\" title=\"2024 Flash \"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e2024 ‘A Flash And Then The Quiet’ Raw Puerh Tea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this edition drives the bitter bargain even harder and with an ambrosial flourish, like a wave hello from a perfumed hand gloved in silk. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuccessive re-steeps unveil the highly perfumed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ehuigan\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e(\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e回甘\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehuígān) - a lingering sweet aftertaste\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e - \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat the heart of this raw puerh’s mouth-coating bitterness. But don’t just take our word for it, stick your nose in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003egongdaobei \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand breathe in an aromatic fugue of bergamot, gin, and dried apple. Just make sure you’ve eaten some food before embarking on the ride, as this tea comes with a strong energy kick. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike its predecessors, ‘A Flash And Then The Quiet’ is a reflection our sourcing philosophy; the fame and hype of a particular village is irrelevant in the face of a tea’s sheer quality and the biodiversity of its growing environment. This is one of our most aggressively priced teas of all time, thanks to multiple years of going off the beaten path and believing in the value of the material and environment, rather than the fame of the village.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrab a tong for now, or keep it for ageing and thank us in 10 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/eroductions.com\/\" title=\"ERODUCTIONS\"\u003eERODUCTIONS.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePingle Pictures\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags (at Softer Drink HQ in Victoria, BC, Canada.) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46220218335383,"sku":"K25RPFQIII","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46220218368151,"sku":"K25RPFQIIIs","price":10.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":46220218400919,"sku":"K24RPFQIIt","price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-a-flash-and-then-the-quiet-raw-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761358205"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-unholy-oil-ripe-puer","title":"KUURA 2025 'Unholy Oil' Ripe Pu'er","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA’S NOTES: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBack with a vengeance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2025 edition of our strongest dark chocolate potion, ‘Unholy Oil' returns to our collection of ripe puerh teas with an added emphasis on body. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis pressing is made from a blend of several experimental piles of high-quality ripe material produced in the 2023 spring season in Yunnan, China. Like its predecessor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/softerdrink.ca\/products\/kuura-2024-unholy-oil-ripe-puer\"\u003e2024 'Unholy Oil' Ripe Puerh Tea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a potent ripe puerh tea that delivers a complex and enduring fragrance, a luxurious mouthfeel, and a silky cacao bitterness that'll reward you over many repeated steeps. It's the perfect inky ripe to serve as an after-dinner and pre-ritual treat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA luxury ripe to sharpen your \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cs\u003eknife\u003c\/s\u003e\u003cspan\u003e life. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWrapper artwork by Jon Marshall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePingle Pictures\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2023 tea material produced in Yunnan, China, pressed in 2025.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are broken from cakes and sealed into bags at Softer Drink HQ in Victoria, BC, Canada.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46220228427927,"sku":"K25UHOs","price":14.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46220228460695,"sku":"K25UHO","price":77.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":46220228493463,"sku":"K25UHOt","price":385.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-unholy-oil-ripe-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761358799"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-electroflowercandy-white-tea","title":"KUURA 2025 ‘Electroflowercandy' White Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eElectro's back :’) The good juice. Quince, honeysuckle, cara cara, bright things that make you smile. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we sold the last of these it was like the sun went behind a cloud and we’ve been waiting ever since for it to re-emerge. (No shade…. pun intended… to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/softerdrink.ca\/products\/kuura-2022-ghost-2-0-white-tea\"\u003eGhost 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e, which is drinking beautifully right now, but offers a more understated, reserved, less-fruity-more-tense texture.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA’S NOTES: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe return of a simple classic, 'Electroflowercandy' is a Yunnan white tea or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ebaicha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (白茶 bái chá) that's made of large-leaf spring tea material from a grove of lush forest, picked and dried directly in the sun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis pressing of 'Electroflowercandy’ has a lot to offer. When brewed, this tea has a sweet floral fragrance and honeysuckle flavour with plenty of thick mouthfeel. This is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ebaicha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e that'll steep for nearly forever, and it can be brewed to your preference. Brewed on the lighter side, you can expect a soft and sugary sweetness like frolicking in a sunlit meadow full of spring flowers. Brewed a touch stronger, and you'll draw out richer flavours and juicier sweetness. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompared to our other Yunnan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ebaichas \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003esuch as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/products\/2022-ghost-2-0-white-tea?variant=41951004721338\"\u003e2022 'Ghost' White Tea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this white tea has a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrighter floral fragrance and lighter candy-like sweetness as a result of less oxidation during its sun-drying process. If you're a fan of white tea and seemingly endless afternoons, grab a cake, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/blogs\/software\"\u003epress play,\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sit back and repeat. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sprinks.world\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSprinks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePingle Pictures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags, at Softer HQ in Victoria, BC, Canada. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46220253790359,"sku":"K25EFC","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46220253823127,"sku":"K25EFCs","price":9.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong (5x200g)","offer_id":46220253855895,"sku":"K25EFCt","price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-electroflowercandy-white-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761361872"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-caesura-raw-pu-er-tea","title":"KUURA 2025 ‘Caesura’ Raw Pu’er Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSofter says: \u003c\/strong\u003eon a price per gram to pleasure ratio, you cannot go wrong with KUURA’s value raws. The art \u0026amp; name on this are a beautiful nod to 2023’s Parataxis (another literary device) so we expect it to fall in the same realm: if you like a mid-body sheng pu'er with a round texture and fine bitterness (present but not too punchy) this will likely be a great daily drinker. Creamy, plush, balanced and floral, this is tasting great and holds a ton of promise for future aging.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKUURA’S NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe latest evolution of our annual 'affordable flagship' raw puerh tea is a continually refined blend of excellent quality base material. Designed to highlight the enduring appeal of Yunnan’s unique tea forests, 'Caesura’ has plenty of power upfront with a fruity fragrance, rich mouthfeel, and lingering sweet aftertaste (回甘 huígān) that'll intensify over multiple re-steeps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis raw puerh has a richly herbaceous fragrance that’s similar to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/products\/2023-macroscope-raw-pu-erh-tea?variant=42559910740154\"\u003e2023 ‘Macroscope’ Raw Puerh Tea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e but with an almost spicy, mineral edge. When brewed, this tea offers a rich herbal fragrance, thick body, and enough upfront oily bitterness to set the scene for a throat-coating, aniseed-like huigan in the aftertaste.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComprised of spring material from ecological forest plantings of young tea trees across Xishuangbanna, ‘Caesura’ has plenty to offer whether you choose to drink it now or keep it for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kuura.co\/blogs\/education\/how-to-store-and-age-pu-erh-tea\"\u003elong-term ageing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. We’ve many years of experience with the materials used in this blend; if you can hold off drinking it for now in preference for long-term ageing, you’ll be rewarded with an aged raw puerh that brews luxuriously thick, with a deep camphor-like aroma, and complex bittersweet flavour reminiscent of leatherwood honey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"ERODUCTIONS\" href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\/\"\u003eERODUCTONS\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePingle Pictures.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags by Softer in Victoria, BC, Canada.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46221353418903,"sku":"K25CAE","price":58.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46221353451671,"sku":"K25CAEs","price":11.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":46221353484439,"sku":"K25CAEt","price":288.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-caesura-raw-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761431676"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-snake-oil-raw-pu-er-tea","title":"KUURA 2025 ‘Snake Oil’ Raw Pu’er Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eCalling this immediately as Softer’s Pick of 2025. We got into raw pu’ers by tasting them as strong and as bitter as they come. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig bold raws have a huge range of body, texture, intensity, and flavour that makes brewing them up an extremely dynamic and rewarding experience. Subtlety is nice too - but if that’s what you're after you better dial back your leaf content here and keep those infusions fast. (Or check out some of KUURA’s equally lovely and more restrained raw pu’ers - happy to point you to some!) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to know how deep the bitter-young-raw rabbit hole goes, please join us in brewing up a strong one of Snake Oil. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee also: \u003c\/em\u003e2020 Dissolver, 2023 Unison, 2023 Exotic Other\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKUURA’S NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor lovers of bold, powerful, and unrepentant raw puerh teas, ‘Snake Oil’ is viscous and vicious.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis raw puerh is comprised of a blend of high-end, old-tree tea material from some incredible pockets of forest across Menghai. We designed ‘Snake Oil’ with a focus on multidimensional, rich bitterness and an uncompromisingly thick body. When brewed, this tea releases a punchy, sugary-sweet fragrance that’s followed by a potent dose of mouth-coating bitterness and astringency.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuccessive infusions will release a long-lasting impression of sweetness (\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e回甘 \u003c\/span\u003ehuígān) in the mouth that builds in intensity and longevity with each re-steep. Tread carefully as this is not a raw that’ll play nicely if you’re prone to tapping out of a brewing session early, and there's absolutely no mercy if you drink this on an empty stomach. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Snake Oil’ is the tea to reach for when you need high octane fuel and a volume knob that goes to 11. Get a lot of stuff done or get nothing done at all, it’s all a part of the plan. You’ve been warned, there’s no anti-venom. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrab a cake and get a taste of your own medicine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.eroductions.com\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eERODUCTIONS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003ePingle Pictures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are broken from the cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46221383991447,"sku":"K25SO","price":210.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46221384024215,"sku":"K25SOs","price":33.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":46221384056983,"sku":"K25SOt","price":1050.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-snake-oil-raw-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761432304"},{"product_id":"kuura-2025-good-stuff-raw-pu-er-tea","title":"KUURA 2025 ‘Good Stuff’ Raw Pu’er Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eJust great! Back again for another blink of the eyes. Think fast!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUURA IS QUICK AND TO THE POINT: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo you just want the ‘good stuff’? Here you go.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eVery strong, very sweet, very smooth.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eVery good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWrapper artwork by \u003ca title=\"ERODUCTIONS\" href=\"https:\/\/eroductions.com\/\"\u003eERODUCTONS\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePictures by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pingle.pictures\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePingle Pictures\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2025 tea material produced in Yunnan, China.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e200g per compressed cake, with 5 cakes per traditionally wrapped bamboo tong. 25g samples are cut from the cakes and sealed into bags.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUURA","offers":[{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":46221393985687,"sku":"K25GS","price":288.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g sample","offer_id":46221394018455,"sku":"K25GSs","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tong","offer_id":46221394051223,"sku":"K25GSt","price":1375.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/0169\/1031\/files\/kuura-2025-good-stuff-raw-puerh-tea-wrapped-front.jpg?v=1761432646"}],"url":"https:\/\/softerdrink.ca\/collections\/the-kuura-archives.oembed?page=2","provider":"Softer Drink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}