How can I tell if pu-erh is authentic?
The market has a lot of fakes — what should I check?
Check (in order): (1) Source — buy from vendors who name the producer, region, and year; (2) Wrapper — authentic factory cakes (Dayi, Xiaguan, Menghai) have specific neifei (inner ticket) and neipiao (outer paper) printing details; (3) Compression — uneven, hand-pressed feel is good; perfectly uniform machine-press is often suspect; (4) Aroma — real aged sheng smells like camphor, dried fruit, antique wood, never musty or chemical; (5) Brew — should give 10+ infusions. Famous label = no guarantee. Trust the vendor's reputation.
— Yurii — 931 Tea, 931 Tea