"Difficulty at the beginning", a hexagram close to the heart of most drinkers of shengpu.
8582 is a safe bet in an uncertain world. After the loud elder brother (7542), the sharp elder sister (7532), and before the solid little baby (0622), comes the elegant middle sister.
She's always pleasant, light, and fresh. For this reason, she is often one for a good session when young, but there are mature versions out there that are thoroughly enjoyable. Aged 7542 gets more press, perhaps because its uncomprising characteristics mellow well over the years, but the 8582 can be fine indeed.
She's always pleasant, light, and fresh. For this reason, she is often one for a good session when young, but there are mature versions out there that are thoroughly enjoyable. Aged 7542 gets more press, perhaps because its uncomprising characteristics mellow well over the years, but the 8582 can be fine indeed.
Shown above, this is an "ecletic" blend, consisting of all manner of leaves from tiny tips to chunky, big examples.
Below, my little bamboo leaf-tray is continuing to perform its function of allowing easy separation of leaves from fannings. A few gentle shakes, and they drift apart - the leaves make it into the pot, the fannings make it into my "leftovers" tin (which is beginning to smell really rather wonderful).
Below, my little bamboo leaf-tray is continuing to perform its function of allowing easy separation of leaves from fannings. A few gentle shakes, and they drift apart - the leaves make it into the pot, the fannings make it into my "leftovers" tin (which is beginning to smell really rather wonderful).
Everyone knows what 8582 is like by now, I'm sure. The 801 is vibrant, with a sweet, thick body. In the finish, that familiar and welcome mushroom tone floats up into the nose, reminding us that all is well in the world.
Unsurprisingly, the sweetness continues to develop with the passing infusions, yet the chaqi and bitterness are definitely present in great quantity - which is why I refuse to rule out the 8582 for benefiting from a few years of maturity. What a lovely little thing is she.
In other news, from Japan post,
Bulletin 1 of 2:
| Feb 27 0:20 | Arrival at outward office of exchange | |
| Feb 27 0:29 | Dispatch from outward office of exchange | |
| Feb 27 21:55 | Arrival at inward office of exchange | COVENTRY PARCELFORCE |
| Feb 27 21:56 | Awaiting presentation to customs commissioner | COVENTRY PARCELFORCE |
...and bulletin 2 of 2:
| Feb 25 13:56 | Posting/Collection | |
| Feb 25 20:52 | En route | |
| Feb 26 4:45 | Dispatch from outward office of exchange | |
| Feb 26 19:46 | Arrival at inward office of exchange | COVENTRY PARCELFORCE |
| Feb 26 19:47 | Awaiting presentation to customs commissioner | COVENTRY PARCELFORCE |
Two items are stuck in Coventry awaiting customs inspection - Coventry, of all places! I know at least one reader is in that fair city right now, so how about popping next door and hurrying them up?
"A watched pot never boils"...
"A watched pot never boils"...
Addendum
April, 2013
The 801 cost me around $10 from Yunnan Sourcing in 2008, where it now sells for $20. An increase of only 100% in five years should be considered a good thing, perhaps, given the state of the tea market these days. The "basic" recipes from Menghai do not accumulate huge prices, and this may be to our advantage.
I have three of this particular 801, which refers to the first flush from 2008. This is usually the first batch to sell out, but Scott seems to be selling quite a sizeable inventory of this cake. I have not checked Taobaowang for the equivalent price, but it would be worth so doing in the event of wishing to grab some in quantity.
Looking at the leaves in the original photograph, they were green! Now, they are darkened considerably. The fragrance is strong, too, which I take to be a good sign of activity.
The photographs above and below can certainly no longer be said to be explicitly green.
This 8582 has become highly cooling - quite surprisingly so. I enjoy its close, warm, malted feeling; it is not a great leap of the imagination to extrapolate to aged 8582s (even though we may suspect a change in recipe in the early-to-mid 2000s). I have evidence from which to draw encouraging conclusions about our storage environment.
The soup is no longer yellow, and it is heartening indeed to see actual aging taking place within our own home storage.
My journal has, "The most surprising aspect of all of these [five-year-old] cakes is the dramatic sweetness that has developed." I once again have an excited "We did it!" feeling: we bought this tea at a very low price, and now have enough five-year-old aged Dayi to enjoy it every day, should we wish to do so.
8 comments:
Hi Sir.
Good to know that you think the 8582 801 is good. I too decided to get a bunch. Nice. :)
Surprisingly, the 0622 didn;t make my list. I will send you a chunk of a 98 Mengku Sheng. Quite nice.
--ST
Dear Seb,
Good work, especially at your local pricing!
The Mengku must have been one of their first cakes, back in the late 90s. Much appreciated, thank you!
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Lol, I cannot believe that they have depots in Coventry of all places.
-vl.
PS.
Looks like a nice cake!
I imagine 'planes flying directly from Osaka and Tokyo to Coventry, carrying my precious whatnots.
*Shakes fist at the sky*
Toodlepip,
D
P.s. Yes, it's a good 'un. Worth £7!
Perhaps, I should start saving my fannings! The thought has crossed my mind or two but the seem to always end up in the disposal. Geez, I could imagine the stockpile of age, slightly aged, and young pu I would of accumulated by now! Perhaps, in 15 or 20 years, I could have a splended 'personal' blend! I just kicked myself! *angry*
Dear Bill,
There's no time like the present! Just start collecting. It mounts up very quickly. :)
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Hi Hobbes,
The 3-digit-number (801), does it matter? Will I get different/inferrior quality if it is 806?
Thanks,
Lauw
Dear Lauw,
These represent the batches for the year, with the earlier batches commanding higher prices and, generally, selling out quickest. It is thought that they are superior to latter batches - the leaves are first flush, etc. As always, let your tastebuds be the judge. :)
I err on the side of caution, aiming for lower batch numbers where possible.
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
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