A part of the allure of old teas is the period of time and history that they represent. Each tea has a story to tell and the 2 old teas that I will be reviewing this month are no different. Both teas come from a time of immense upheaval and unrest that coincides with the rise of Chairman Mao Zedong and the rule of the Communist Party of China. The contrasting qualities of the 2 old teas in many ways mirror the two prominent political parties (Kuomintang, KMT and Communist Party of China, CPC) at the time. The turn of events would cause each to take two very different paths.
Before I begin reviewing the teas I feel it is appropriate for me to reflect on China’s history during these turbulent times. The historical account will retrace in pictures some of the key events relating to Chairman Mao Zedong and the Communist Party of China to put into context the social environment that surrounded the production of the 2 old teas.
20th Century Chinese History (An Internal Conflict)
1) The Chinese Civil War, 1927-1949
2) The Reign of Chairman Mao Zedong, 1949-1976 (Part 1, Part 2)
Tea Review
1) 1950s Liu An Sun Yishun
2) 1970s Fuzhuan Brick (People’s Unification Tea)
