What do tea collectors do when we meet? Most times it’s a genteel meeting with pleasant conversation, tea is sometimes traded, and knowledge/experience is shared alongside drinking tea. However on occasions to liven things up we compete. Experience tea collectors who have spent over a decade in the industry or have a business are a wary bunch. Words and descriptions hold little meaning and the value of a tea needs to be proven in the brew.
1950s LIU AN SUN YISHUN vs 1970s MENGHAI TEA FACTORY 7542
One memorable tea meeting highlights the competitive side of being a tea collector. It started as a friendly conversation but there was only going to be one way to settle the age old argument of “Who has the better tea?” Once some basic ground rules were established, a side wager was placed. I felt a shiver of excitement I had not for a long time. The result would be the best of 3 rounds. The owner of the tea was responsible for brewing and presenting the best version of his tea, and 3 steeps would be presented to go head to head. Generally the disparity in age between 2 teas would favor the older tea. That said it is not uncommon for a more powerful and engaging brew to overwhelm a milder and tame one. My opponent’s primary gamble was that the 7542 would have the upper hand in strength and complexity. It was a creditable assumption based of the reputation of old 7542s. I don't doubt this was further cemented by his own personal impression. To begin the 7542 was the first to be served. This was a potent, rich and complex brew, the dark red/brown tones opened to a combination of TCM, old wood, age nuances, a touch of minerality. The 7542 was very good, enough to momentary raise my concerns. Thereafter as I raised my 2nd cup, everything changed. The effects of comparative drinking shone a new light on the 2 teas. At 50 years the 7542 is not young but next to the older Liu An, the less developed aspect of the 7542 stood out. This was especially apparent in taste, coming across as rougher and less pleasant. The strength of the older Liu An was an unexpected surprise, matching the 7542 round by round. The Liu An would further impose it’s superiority throughout the comparison, offering a richer, smoother and deeper experience. When 2 teas are drunk side by side everything is laid out in the open. The difference in the quality was undeniable. It has to be said that both teas represent the upper echelon of age tea and regardless of the serious atmosphere the tea session was eye opening and thrilling. We concluded our time together by enjoying the remainder of the tea session in relaxed mood helped by good company and good tea. By the end I had drifted into a lovely state of being.
*Habitually my writing is more focused on my opponent’s tea rather than my own as this is the focus of my attention. Photos of the 1950 Liu An Sun Yishun can be seen HERE
Additional Note: Great experiences add richness to our tea journey and as someone who enjoys studying tea I have to say drinking old tea side by side is an eye opener on so many levels. Being in a position to observe an individual’s skillful brewing is a blessing that will serve to improve your own. In many ways the game reveals not only a tea’s quality but a person’s nature, his skill and the close understanding he has with his tea. - Happy Year New 2026 to all!
