On Feb 20, 9:22*am, wrote:
> Ive watched the effects of gongfu puer on the sexes on a couple of
> occassions now. *Puer brings out the macho in guys where they could
> have said things like 'that cup busted my chops' or 'that one hit rock
> bottom'. *I usually grunt my guy thing 'taste good to me' where I
> emphasize the grunt if I really like it. *The two gals are more demure
> they look at each other and giggle. *When they describe the taste it
> has something to do with their personal lives like what perfume they
> wear. *So basically guys have opinions and women have feelings. *We
> all get tea drunk. *I dont know how this happens on so little puer
> from a gongfu tasting cup. *Id say certainly less than 10oz but doesnt
> come close to my two liters of other teas in the morning. *Ive found
> obscure references on puer causing inebriation contrary to being used
> to sober people up. *All I can think maybe small cups of shu and sheng
> causes an adverse reaction.
>
> Ive alluded to the interplay of the sexes over gongfu puer. *On the
> way home after the last tasting I realized this could apply to tea in
> general. *Im thinking a really astute guy could use tea as an
> aphrodisiac instead of the cross your fingers expensive dinner date (I
> know some teas are more expensive). *You get to show you can do
> something besides drink beer. *And that you can carry on a
> conversation and most important know how to use your hands.
>
> Jim
>
> PS *The subject of tisanes came up at the last tasting. *I mentioned
> dried flowers and honeysuckle being my favorite. *One of the guys lit
> up like a Christmas tree saying that was her favorite perfume
> fragrance and she was wearing it now. *It doesnt do me any good but it
> got me thinking about the subject on the way home.

Nice observation. I have felt a head-swimming like effect from some
cooked puerh before but not all produce it and it has never happened
from uncooked for me. Unfortunately I have just shelved puerh for the
time being and I'll probably revisit it at times but I have just come
to terms with the fact that I'd rather drink something else. As for
the positive outlook on (serious) male tea drinking, I have found it
to be not the case for most people. Luckily I'm married and my wife
has come a long way to now really enjoying a number of quality teas,
but at most it has generated a bit of curiosity in the female realm.
Mostly it is misunderstood or just thought of on the same level as
their favorite Tazo from Starbucks. Actual conversation (paraphrased):
"Ooh you like tea?" "Yeah, I'm pretty heavily into Chinese and
Japanese teas." "Have you tried the China green tips Tazo!!?" "I've
had it, but I tend to prefer fresher whole leaf green tea if you like
the Tazo tea you should try some the flavor is totally different and
amazing." Now from here it has gone a few ways:

Common Response #1: "I don't know it's really yummy, I like it with
their steamed milk and lots of sugar"
CR #2: "That seems like too much work"
CR #3: "Are those snakes?" (yes, actual question posed to me)

Now, I do have to admit this is at my current job at a private
university which caters to big money more than big intelligence. I'm
more often just seen as poor because I don't get Starbucks every day,
eat at non-chain restaurants that tend to be ethnically diverse, and
drive a Scion xA. Happily my time here is almost over and a new
adventure awaits!

My mother taught me to pluck honeysuckle and suck on the sweet ends
when I was little and we would collect a bunch and make tea at times
too. You brought back some really cool memories for me in your PS. I
still pluck them when I'm out and about.

- Dominic