2005 Changtai - Yichanghao "Jipin"

I wondered what other treats remain in vendors' back-pages, in an article on the 2004 Changtai "Jifengyuan". How about I answer my own question? 

Good ol' YCH

This is good ol' Yichanghao, my stalwart favourite from Changtai.  "Jipin" [gee-pin] is the fairly uninformative phrase denoting "superior product", although it does mark it as a second-division quality cake in the Changtai hierarchy.

A pretty little thing it is, too

This little chap is highly appealing.  Big leaves, loose compression, and a jaunty aroma make for a happy drinker.

The dark leaves shouldn't be this orange!  Clearly it has been helped on its way.  I counteract the potential neutering effect by using plenty of leaves.

 

Pile them high!

Highly energetic and punchy, this is a Yiwu of the sweet-straw variety, and which is already showing touches of age.  Not the world's most eclectic mix of characteristics, but it dwells nicely and doesn't die early, nor crack into roughness.

The fourth infusion and onwards required some lengthy brewing, given its processing

What can you get for $35 these days?  What can you get for $35 these days at Houde?!  Not much.

This is a nicely-priced treat that doesn't reach exalted heights, but hangs around to give you plenty of enjoyment.