The 1980s Menghai Tea Factory (Old Ripe) is representative of an era of production that was instrumental towards building the reputation of Menghai Tea Factory as the foremost and most distinguished producer of ripe puerh tea. The multiple decades of ageing have clearly honed the dark character of the tea bringing a beautiful refinement to the age brew. The rough and unpleasant fermentation notes that is associated with the “wo dui” process has long dissipated. A pleasant soft mellowness and sublime smoothness can be felt upon sipping the tea, unfolding to a charming dark Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) character alongside notes of age ginseng, old parchment, talcum. An old complexion of antiquity further underlines the long period of maturation that has come to pass. The energy is soft, delightfully soothing, inducing a deeply grounding and comfortable state of being.
Tip: Brewing with the ideal water will help to coax out the best in an old tea, capturing the fine and subtle nuances that are contained within these antique leaves. My personal favorite and recommendation is Iceland Spring bottled water.
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Old CNNP wrapper
L: 1980s R: 2011, comparing the appearance of 2 Menghai TF ripe puerh tea
Closeup of the tea leaves
ref. 2011 Menghai TF (7262)
