1990s Guang Yun Gong

Done! Glad to see the end of this 1990s Guang Yun Gong teacake

1990s Private Production

 

Old style heavy kneaded tea leaves and stone compression

1990s Wild Brick

1990s Wild Brick raw puerh comprised of big leaves

Tea Session - 1980s 1990s OLDIE Collection

 

 

Happy Holidays and my best wishes to all for the upcoming New Year 2021. I could not think of a better way to close out the year than with a tea session and on this fine occasion I am delving into the 1980s-1990s OLDIE Collection. 

The Beauty of Hong Kong Traditional (Wet) Storage

VIDEO: Capturing the splendor of age puerh tea nurtured under HK traditional (wet) storage

Hong Kong traditional (wet) storage is an often misunderstood category of tea. A lot can go wrong during the process and different batches vary greatly in quality. Finding traditional stored puerh tea done well offers a beautiful soft and mellow brew that is rich and deep in taste whilst retaining a level of complexity. The 1990s Menghai Orange Label (HK Private Commission) ranks amongst the best traditionally stored puerh tea that I have had the pleasure to drink. Placed under wet storage conditions for several years, the development of the teacake was not rushed ensuring that an even transformation occurred throughout the teacake. Awakening the leaves with boiling hot water releases fragrant aromas of talcum powder, age florals and wood accompanied by a heavier concentration of dark and age expression. The brew is rich and opulent, offering a thick mouthfeel with a pleasant sweetness and layers of age nuances. As the tea opens up, dark TCM emerges, dates, red wood, resins, vanillin, minerals within an array of dark organic herbs and root. The tea is warm and comforting, and as I focus on the full cup in front of me I am very content.

Related Links
1990s Menghai Orange Label (HK Private Commission)
see SPECIALS for availability

Through the Lens - Photo Collection 1

Appreciating the visual beauty of the tea leaf. A close up look at the beauty and transformation of various type/category of tea from different regions, at varying maturity of age, induced fermentation under the process of production and subsequent storage.

1990s CNNP 7581 Brick

“7581” classic ripe puerh tea from Kunming Tea Factory.

The different batches of 7581 produced can be hit and miss when it comes to quality. I find this particular batch to be one of the better ones. The age is noticeable making for a considerably more refined and pleasant experience. I enjoyed the touch of sweetness and creaminess in the brew. This is enhanced by a pleasing soft mouth feel and clean characteristics. Notes of talcum, Chinese medicine, soft wood a hint of minerality and earthy tones make up this well balanced brew. Drinking this tea feels pleasantly soothing and comforting on the body.

Educational Series - Comparative Tasting of Old & New Ripe Puerh Tea

Gong Ting (aka Golden Needle) is a special grade of RIPE that contains a high content of buds. Only select batches of ripe puerh tea is made in this way. The light brown shimmering on the teacake represents small buds that give a unique appearance to this special grade of ripe puerh tea. LEFT: 2010 Golden Needle White Lotus Menghai TF RIGHT: 1990s CNNP Private Production Gong Ting

Educational Series – 20 Year Old Puerh / A History of Different Storage Conditions

4 Samples, 4 Experiences and a historical journey through the development of age puerh tea under different storage conditions.

1990s Private Production (Light Wet Stored)

This is a tea drinker's tea. Possessing a charming aged character and vivid flavors.

1990s Puerh Tea Brick (Ripe) - Xiaguan Tea Factory

1990s Ying Kee (Old Tin Carton)

This tea was given to me by a friend over the weekend. It is an old tin carton containing loose leaf puerh tea from Ying Kee Tea House based in Hong Kong. The tea has been kept for what is believed to be well over 10 years… its history, original ownership, date of purchased, etc long forgotten with the passage of time. As my friend has a preference for other types of tea I became the fortunate recipient of this tea.

1990s Menghai Green Label

For a long time I drank tea rather indiscriminately without understanding how to optimize the benefits of this wonderful drink to match the lifestyle and constitution of my body. After encountering my own health challenges and improving my lifestyle I became very interested in health and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), often testing ideas by conducting experiments on myself. By being mindful of my body’s reaction throughout the day I have learnt to become more in tune with my body. The changes become very noticable during times when I am consuming food and drinking tea especially the after effects when the body is reacting to what has come in. As a tea enthusiast I enjoy drinking tea on a daily basis and I am always keen to observe how my body reacts to a certain tea under different conditions and environments. As someone who has a Yin constitution I find warming food more suitable towards maintaining my sense of well being.

The 1990s Menghai Green Label was stored under mild wet storage conditions. The tea is warming and grounding in nature.

1990s Menghai Orange Label (HK Private Commission)

These dark tea leaves possess both potency and stamina. A tea session can last upwards of 10 steeps delivering a deep and full bodied brew that is rich in taste and revealing soft layers of nuances and complexity.