The Year that Changed Puerh Tea (2005)

Walking the streets of a tea market in Kunming, China in 2005

A Comparative Pictorial of Xia Guan Toucha (2000, 2005) - Part 2

L: 2000 Xia Guan Toucha, R: 2005 Xia Guan Toucha

Over the past few decades the puerh tea industry has sky rocketed in growth. Much of that recent growth has been fueled by the new controversial trend surrounding “modern style puerh tea” alongside the popularity for “dry/natural storage”. Both have added excitement and a new layer of intrigue to the world of puerh tea. In this regard the comparative tasting of the traditional and modern style of puerh tea under natural storage becomes all the more compelling. This is especially so with the selection of these semi-age teas and the insight that can be gained from assessing the age development from both styles of puerh tea.

A Comparative Pictorial of Xia Guan Toucha (2000, 2005) - Part 1

Pack of 5 x 100g, L: 2000 XG Pack R: 2005 XG Pack

The Xia Guan Tea Factory is the second most famous puerh tea producer in China. Founded in 1941, Xia Guan (XG) is most renowned for its bowl shaped “toucha”. The traditional XG toucha has a long history and a proven track record for ageing exceptionally well under long term storage. Different vintages that stretch back multiple decades have become highly sought after collectables that have greatly escalated in value. However with the passage of time change is inevitable and the new trend for young drinkable puerh tea means that the modern style* of XG toucha was born.

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.

Comparative Exploration of the Old & Modern Style of Puerh Gushu - Early Stage of Ageing

 

Gushu raw material is the most highly prized and sought after for puerh tea. The raw material is harvested from big trees that can be well over a hundred and even a thousand years old. Old gushu represents a natural origin of tea leaves that is rich in nutrients, possessing a depth of character and layered in complexity making the characteristics of old gushu very unique and compelling. The transition from the old to modern style of puerh gushu is representative of the changes within the industry shaped by time, the limitation of natural resources against growing demand, changing traits to entice growth into new markets, new technology and the pursuit for quick profits.

Testing Water LOT 1 – Brewing the 2005 Gan En Ban Zhang Part 2

 

The 2005 Gan En Ban Zhang is a semi aged puerh tea. The tea has shred most of its youthful green characteristics and is in the initial stages of developing dark characters with low and heavy notes. The tea leaves are giving and provide a substantial brew with strong Cha Qi.

The Influence of Weather on Tea – A Hot Summer

A blue sky that provides little shade from the sweltering sun means that rising temperatures are close to 40C in high humidity.

This year’s hot and humid summer in Bangkok has been stifling and things will only become more heated as we enter the peak months of April and May. As a result I can feel myself becoming more and more drawn to bitter and astringent teas as a means to help dispel the buildup of heat from inside the body. Over the years I have noticed this craving for bitter and astringent tea to come more regularly as the thermometer starts rocketing up. Despite tea being a hot beverage I find that brewing and drinking bitter tea is deeply satisfying to my body at this time.

A Comparative Pictorial of 3 Liu An Teas (from 1950s, 1970s, 2005)

An observation of the shape of the Liu An baskets (left 1950s Sun Yishun, middle 1970s Sun Yishun, right 2005 Liu An).

2005 Gan En Nannuo (Gushu)

The region of Nannuo is famous for its old tea trees which range from being hundreds to well over a thousand years old. Many of the finest old and rare vintages of puerh tea today is believed to comprise of raw materials collected from Nannuo. The Menghai Tea Factory built in the 1940s was strategically located to ensure that the factory could have access to good raw materials from its surrounding tea regions. As a result the tea leaves from Nannuo became a part of the factory’s many blends and formulations. It is believed that even the old teacakes from the Masterpiece Era under Menghai Tea Factory such as the 1950s Red Label, Blue and Green Mark were comprised of tea leaves harvested from the Nannuo region.

2005 Gan En Ban Zhang (Gushu)

The 2005 Gan En Ban Zhang is a tea that does not need much of an introduction to avid puerh enthusiasts. It is a tea with a visible online presence and therefore a history that is worth further research by way of Google for both the famed tea and region. This tea has made the rounds with a number of tea enthusiasts receiving praise and critique towards becoming an item that is both sought after and at times spurned in part due to its Ban Zhang composition that has whipped the market into a frenzy in past years and where demand and high prices continues to soar to this day.