L: 2003 Purple Dayi Menghai Tea Factory R: 2011 Menghai Tea Factory 7542
Menghai Tea Factory is the most well-known and distinguished producer of puerh tea in China. They have a long history of production that goes back to the 1940s and a proven track record that comprises of many renowned old vintages. The famous 1950s Red Label (Hong Yin) from the Masterpiece Era as well as many other highly valued vintages from subsequent decades can be found under their lineage. Old vintages from Menghai Tea Factory are widely recognized as the standard bearer for old puerh tea with many used as important benchmarks and references. It is the highest form of recognition, making Menghai’s old productions highly collectable and prized. However it should be noted that there is a clear division between the old and modern production from Menghai Tea Factory and it is quite ironic that the latter has augmented the rise of what has come to be known as “drink now” puerh tea.
In this comparative series I explore the widening disparity between Menghai Tea Factory’s old and modern production. With this in mind I have earmarked 2004 as being the pivotal year for change, marking the end of an old era and the subsequent beginning of the factory under a new management. The year 2004 imposed a key transition that saw the takeover and privatization of Menghai Tea Factory under The Bowin Company. The changes and uncertainty that followed the modern post-2004 era would within a few short years trigger a buying frenzy of Menghai’s old stock as many experience puerh collectors reverted back to the older pre-2004 production causing a steep rise in prices. This momentum coupled with the upsurge in procuring puerh tea as an investment would result in a significant price differential between Menghai’s productions that fall on different sides of 2004. The comparative photos below presents the age tea leaves from the 2 eras, represented by the 2003 Purple Dayi and the modern version of Menghai’s famous blend 7542 from the year 2011.
L: Old Stock (Pre-2004) R: Modern Production (Post-2004)
Close up of age tea leaves under natural storage
In Part 2 I will be conducting a side by side tasting of the 2 teas and share my impression on the hype vs substance that is associated with the Menghai brand.