tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7535894271195412382012-02-01T05:30:02.017ZHobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comBlogger7311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-26525616305931319052012-02-01T05:30:00.000Z2012-02-01T05:30:02.023Z

Maliandao butterfly flits between horsecarts

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-8344045817994760732012-01-30T04:40:00.000Z2012-01-30T04:40:00.026Z

Following an excellent suggestion by Shah, I celebrated a lazy Sunday morning by revisiting one of my first cakes - a Xizihao that is now half a decade old.  What makes this one interesting is that its spent that half-decade in English storage. I invite you to join me at the original article (scrolling down to the new bit, if you please) for further notes.  The evidence in favour of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-92122749677480322322012-01-28T15:39:00.000Z2012-01-28T22:30:20.889Z

Germany.  Land of the bratwurst, the bierfest, brilliant words such as "der Durchfall",  and to my erstwhile teachum, Herr Dr. Kim, who continues to spoil Lei, Xiaohu, and I with Christmas packages of delicious stollen.  Burp. Ever generous, the good doctor hacked away a chunk of this rather interesting "Blue Label" cake that he had recently bought from Taobao.  I have visited it on

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-44568530856628104952012-01-26T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-26T05:30:00.940Z

Ages ago, a number of us embarked on buying a batch of 2009 single-mountain cakes via Taobao, through an agent.  I think it was "Taobaonow".  Since then, the same cakes have become available for comparable, or even lower, prices at outlets that have taken to specialising in Douji, such as Dragon Teahouse and China Chadao. Of that stack of single-mountain cakes, I have been quite impressed.  

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-46836021865237574552012-01-25T05:11:00.000Z2012-01-25T05:11:00.821Z

ceramic tink! holding teapot handle with no teapot

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-67854829446214044332012-01-23T05:12:00.000Z2012-01-23T05:12:00.290Z

Mangzhi is one of the famous, if lesser-accredited, mountains of Mengla county in the south-eastern corner of Xishuangbanna. Just when I thought that I had tried all of the various Yichanghao cakes (whose solid, enjoyable virtues continually delight me), China Chadao provided me with a sample of a cake hitherto unknown to me.  Thanks again to the proprietor, Jerry, for his generosity.

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-66068562717908948502012-01-21T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-21T05:30:02.706Z

Regular readers may remember the frantic Internetly amusement (and corresponding nuclear fall-out) caused by the 2005 Douji / Yisheng cakes, which come in red / purple colours and, seemingly, spring / autumn variants.  I loved the 2005 Douji "Purple", and later compared the 2005 Douji "Red Autumn" with the 2005 Yisheng "Red", deciding that both were lovely, but that the latter was outstanding.  

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-14489933032038502932012-01-20T05:16:00.000Z2012-01-20T05:16:00.376Z

sandpaper reveals layers of old hard paint and old soft wood

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-3436658265393256272012-01-18T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-18T05:30:02.543Z

Some years ago, I bought an inexpensive box of three cakes, on a whim: On re-tasting this 2007 Boyou "Manludashan", I am entirely impressed with its potency and character.  If you are after a less expensive cake that delivers a great deal, I can heartily and unconditionally recommend it.  Best of all, its price doesn't seem to have increased in the years since I bought it from Yunnan

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-80289826824794199992012-01-16T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-16T05:30:01.736Z

It must be said that I seldom drink dancong ["dan tsong"].  As with most Westerners, my primary introduction to this genre of Guangdong tea is via blogger-cum-teamerchant, Imen, at Tea Habitat.  If you like light, fruity wulong, then I find them to good for a pleasant session. This sample, generously provided by Canton Tea Co. is a little different: it is a hongcha made from dancong. I

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-49002109830365152422012-01-15T05:14:00.000Z2012-01-15T05:14:01.177Z

desert dawn warms the sand dunes and skyscrapers

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-91315429333822293682012-01-13T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-13T05:30:00.106Z

I arrived at work recently to find a surprise parcel waiting for me... I believe, if memory serves me correctly, that I let out a little girly yelp when I opened the box. Copious uberthanks to Apache for the lovely gift - you might recall that this is a cake I tried, loved, described here, and then consequently couldn't buy.  What a star. Come join our merry band.

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-46359088941598790902012-01-11T04:43:00.000Z2012-01-12T12:30:54.234Z

Hongcha is great.  I don't drink much of it, but that's because time is limited, and pu'ercha is my favourite.  If I were to drink every day, then hongcha would be one of my staples. You may, gentle Reader, recall my love of Yunnan Sourcing's recent 2011 Wuliangshan pu'ercha.  This hongcha comes from the same region, and is one of 29 (!) Yunnanese hongcha sold by Scott at the time of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-64005900858106790282012-01-10T10:13:00.000Z2012-01-10T10:13:00.564Z

red sun slides up the tail-fin and turns yellow

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-40418662961771647872012-01-08T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-08T05:30:03.161Z

Of two samples recently introduced by Houde, this is the second and represents a cake that costs a somewhat substantial $175.  Chen Zhitong's cakes are seldom inexpensive, whether via Taobao or Houde, and so I tread carefully.    This cake is allegedly a blend of leaves from Laobanzhang and Laoman'e, the neighbouring village.  I have enjoyed Laoman'e leaves on many occassions now, and

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-59992439663463828502012-01-06T05:00:00.000Z2012-01-06T13:31:38.173Z

Mr. Chen Zhitong looks exactly as one would expect, given his reputation as a shrewd businessman.  I recall that even the vendors in Maliandao with whom I chatted (in my woeful attempt at Mandarin) had very fixed opinions concerning him.  However, saith what thou wilt about the man himself, he does know how to make mighty fine tea. Chenguanghetang cakes are never inexpensive.  However,

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-77045332185867214712012-01-03T05:30:00.000Z2012-01-03T14:15:48.373Z

Some times call for good tea. What better way to see in the New Year than with an 8582 from the 1980s? Due to the immense charity of my readers, in this instance BH, my previously-held opinion that 8582 is a poor counterpart to 7532 and 7542 when aged has been overturned. Only a fool cannot change their minds, and in the face of the evidence, it is with great delight that I change mine.

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-89818961568125501712011-12-31T10:09:00.000Z2011-12-31T10:09:00.748Z

midnight hotel even my supper looks tired

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-57597784170432712912011-12-29T05:45:00.005Z2011-12-29T05:45:00.159Z

Long before Baoyan bricks, there was the original ODB.  Wasn't it Shakespeare himself who once famously explained this as being, "Cuz there ain't no father to his style"?   "Xiaguan" These two angry gentlemen came from Beijing Taochaju, from my last trip to Maliandao.  I've written before about my success with "The Friend Method" of obtaining good prices (listen to the price that the

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11134424483598436612011-12-27T10:05:00.000Z2011-12-27T10:05:00.608Z

I wrote this article sometime before Christmas - Blogger has a convenient function by which one can "queue" items for publications in advance.  However, the subject of this piece is quite relevant to the season: it is on the topic of gift-giving. After my graduation this year, I took a short (business) trip to Beijing.  While I was there, Lei's "biaojie" [elder female cousin] very kindly

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-54196893356608253892011-12-19T06:47:00.000Z2011-12-19T06:47:00.080Z

不干活 不犯错 bu ganhuo bu fancuo no work no make mistake

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-48073180175347852982011-12-17T05:00:00.000Z2011-12-17T05:00:01.418Z

In the chaos of Michaelmas term, I always forget how much more exacting is the process of interviewing prospective students, which takes place after the end of term.  Interviews at our little university have rather a special place in the public eye, and there is extreme scrutiny from the press (which is, probably, a healthy activity).  The original field of applicants contains many thousands of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-27169072030956324902011-12-15T05:26:00.016Z2011-12-15T05:26:03.778Z

This is the second of two laoshu cakes from Xiao Yunqing, of Beijing Taochaju in Maliandao. Like his other productions, this is both appealing to the eyes and the nose.  The fragrance is dense, sweet, and fruity.  It is impossible not to fall in love with this cake at the instant of first sight / sniff. We drank this cake only in passing, while I was in Maliandao, after a long day drinking

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-33950348770877524532011-12-14T05:53:00.004Z2011-12-14T05:53:00.669Z

silent tea the Maliandao baby smiles at me

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-1952430160808864392011-12-12T05:35:00.033Z2011-12-12T05:35:00.478Z

I previously wrote about my long visit to Beijing Taochaju, and its owner, Xiao Yunqing.  I've described his rarified, and delicious, Laobanzhang and Guafengzhai, but neither of those exist in anything other than remnants of his single-cake production. This cake is more available, however.  Its name is "Banna Guyun", where "guyun" refers approximately to "ancient charm".  "Yun" isn't easy to

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-29706441826031556012011-12-10T05:33:00.059Z2011-12-11T19:23:38.683Z

This year's trip to Fangmingyuan in Maliandao was very interesting.  Next to the teatable was a cot, in which slept the daughter of Xiaomei, the shop's owner.  The sweet little baby was initially fascinated by the strange laowai, but then rapidly became bored as the laowai sat there drinking tea, just like everyone else.  She slept breathing in the scents of pu'ercha all around. I snuck

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-13603219945959413972011-12-09T05:33:00.000Z2011-12-09T05:33:00.542Z

between madrigalscreaking from the gardenlantern breeze

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11219141350343849752011-12-07T05:48:00.017Z2011-12-07T14:41:45.986Z

Today, a cake from the eternal generosity of Keng, mighty Singaporean tea drinker and collector. Yangpinhao is not Yangqinghao, but is a brand of which Keng has kindly sent me four other cakes over the years.  They generally cut a good balance between price and quality.  This is the first Nannuoshan version of this brand that I have tried.  As you no doubt will know, qiaomu [cheeow-moo]

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-35002187869628411442011-12-05T05:30:00.016Z2011-12-05T08:43:53.919Z

Next up in my catalogue of teas that make me cry for maocha that can never be is Xiao Yunqing's 2011 Guafengzhai.  You knew it was coming - after the Laobanzhang, where else would you go? Again, this cake doesn't exist in any recognisable form, except for the remains of the day, stored in Yunqing's shop in another little jar.  Perhaps the fact that it can never be adds to its allure.  "

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-47040295353033771752011-12-04T05:47:00.004Z2011-12-05T08:44:07.509Z

cactus spines prick the soft sunbeam and hold it tight

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-15802025215254327302011-12-02T05:28:00.022Z2011-12-02T05:28:01.013Z

Before I write about actual Danzhen cakes, made by the Fonz-like coolness of Xiao Yunqing, of Beijing Taochaju in Maliandao, I thought that pride of place should go to his hand-selected Laobanzhang.  He only has half a cake of this - he made a single cake of actual laoshu "LBZ" when he visited the town.  "Drink this when you get home", he said with a grin. Let's do it. Laobanzhang is darned

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-4587300894505205342011-11-30T05:26:00.057Z2011-11-30T05:26:00.515Z

My usual approach when trying to find a good tea vendor is to find someone whose face looks honest.  "It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances.  The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible..." If people are honest and kind, they usually look honest and kind.  Conversely, if they look calculating and cunning, they probably are.  This is a useful filter that I

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-68275683287619371852011-11-29T05:45:00.000Z2011-11-29T05:45:01.110Z

green pu'erevery last infusionis the first

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-27854978301929331852011-11-27T05:24:00.050Z2011-11-27T08:22:49.860Z

Maliandao was a bundle of laughs this year.  I went to China alone, which makes it a lot harder (and a lot less enjoyable) than if I were able to travel with my dear wife.  However, she had a conference taking place in Poland at exactly the same time - Xiaohu got to have a holiday away from both of his tiresome parents with his Nainai back in the UK. Therefore, I got to practice my

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-16913115899806655662011-11-25T05:23:00.023Z2011-11-25T20:36:11.084Z

By odd coincidence, I drank this sample immediately after retrying the 2002 (2005?) Fuchaju "Ailaoshan", which may be the only two cakes from this mountain that I have tried.  Both came from Yunnan Sourcing, separated by four years. This Yunzhiyuan version is a respectable 18 of your American bucks, and comes from an area that is remarkably close to the entirely wallet-destroying 2011

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-89104554319262580642011-11-24T05:17:00.002Z2011-11-24T05:17:00.740Z

clouds hurry by on their way to the horizon

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-22636349149354328002011-11-22T04:30:00.000Z2011-11-22T04:41:05.481Z

Here's a good one. Wuliangshan is proper Simao prefecture tea, the region to the north of Xishuangbanna.  Scott of Yunnan Sourcing, whence cometh this might cake, has provided plenty of background data.  Background data make people like me happy. The leaves come from Zhongcangzhai [djong tsang djai], in Jingdong county, which is up in the northern-most region of Simao, where it borders

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-22625675112467901672011-11-20T05:06:00.032Z2011-11-20T05:06:00.073Z

After our delightful exploration of 7542s through the ages, Apache was so generous as to give Lei and me this 2006 cake from Baichatang, a factory that I cannot recall coming across before. I've since had it on numerous occasions, the results of which I present today.  Oddly enough, I write from the "club room" in my professional institution in London, on the banks of the Thames.  There

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-3664076583680298182011-11-19T05:30:00.000Z2011-11-19T13:20:47.554Z

nursery rhymes and silence dissolved in cold tea

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11524532363016969322011-11-17T05:30:00.000Z2011-11-17T21:44:02.812Z

You know that I loves me my Xizihao. It used to be terrifically exciting when Sanhetang released a new cake; or, rather, when Houde or Yunnan Sourcing chose to stock them. The 2005-era cakes were really very good, and perhaps, if quality has waned a little through the years, then we can say that Xizihao are, at least, still reliable. (I consider productions such as the recent 2010 Xizihao

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-63752366370123647342011-11-15T05:07:00.010Z2011-11-16T09:20:03.595Z

In our continuing look at the evolution of cakes under Occidental conditions, we turn our attention to a cake that used to be really, truly substandard: the 2002 Fuchaju "Ailaoshan". I am delighted to report that magic has occurred.  As always, I invite you to join us at the original article for this cake (and, as ever, please scroll down on arrival to the addendum). (Cf. English

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-15298149261933298262011-11-14T05:30:00.000Z2011-11-16T09:20:26.174Z

water jets and fields of Lyon sunshine push up cabbages

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-76250359406427219062011-11-12T05:50:00.000Z2011-11-13T21:47:46.954Z

In my quest to remain open-minded and sample a wide variety of cakes, in search of those that I like, this is the fifth cake from Yangpinhao that I have tried (all thanks to Keng).  The two single-mountain cakes, a 2004 Yibang and a 2006 Bulang, were both excellent: potent, full, present, and enduring.  We have tried a novelty 2009 Mengku zhutong [bamboo tong], which was roasted but decent, and

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-59846294606604949482011-11-10T05:14:00.034Z2011-11-10T05:14:00.796Z

Dear Reader, some of you are far too generous.  I lament my inability to find good lapsang, and suddenly, four kindly souls have provided me with really very good examples of it. Perhaps the most "authentic", in the sense of provenence, must be this 2011 version from Essence of Tea. I believe that it was Mrs. Essence who procured this tea, which came from Tongmuguan [tong-wood pass], an area

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-7578007958005966752011-11-09T05:27:00.000Z2011-11-09T05:27:01.748Z

face downnose pressed on the deskafternoon lecture

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-2535376293614561482011-11-07T05:57:00.000Z2011-11-07T10:36:01.708Z

A thousand years ago, I bought some "Yiwu Manluo" cakes from Maliandao, at the suggestion of Xiaomei, the owner of a shop, and friend of MarshalN.  I have since scoured Taobao to find more of the same, the results of which are tirelessly (and tiresomely) chronicled in this article on the 2005 cake. Keng since provided us with a charming 2003 version, which was perhaps not quite as full as the

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-60469461817181106582011-11-05T05:12:00.034Z2011-11-05T05:12:00.291Z

I should drink more lucha.  The real obstacle is drinking it before it dies, because I usually cannot get through large quantities of green tea within a year.  One solution would be to resort to drinking it in my office, but that is rather an ignominious fate for good tea. The only other Sichuan [ser-chooan] tea that I've had before is Zhuyeqing [bamboo-leaf green], which is a bulbous, tippy

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-15728430375159761042011-11-04T05:30:00.000Z2011-11-04T11:55:04.255Z

when my son cries even the harvest spider covers its ears

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11157174975892246292011-11-02T05:01:00.011Z2011-11-02T05:01:02.019Z

Like me, you're probably wondering if your cakes are safe, aging healthily, and not fading into obscurity. I invite you to join me here (scrolling down to the addendum) to examine a 2008 Nadacha cake.  Given that some of us have been buying Essence of Tea cakes in quantity over the last few years, it's important to determine how well these original, oldest versions of Nadacha cakes have

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-29588755504485507382011-10-31T05:56:00.066Z2011-10-31T05:56:00.142Z

I don't drink tieguanyin.   It's not that I don't like it - it's just that I think it's a drink for girls, or fascinating girl-man hybrids.  It is, for want of a better adjective, namby pamby. Imagine my delight when the ever-generous proprietor of Essence of Tea kindly provided us with the sample shown above, which is, if their track record is anything to go by, likely to be very

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-50750582784016277312011-10-30T05:17:00.008Z2011-10-30T05:17:00.775Z

warm summer street tea at the teaparty between raindrops

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-42039363161531447072011-10-28T05:50:00.035+01:002011-10-28T05:50:00.066+01:00

The hand-made cakes at Essence of Tea seem to be remarkably popular, and have, I believe, sold out entirely.  This is a deserved testament to the time and effort that Mr. and Mrs. Essence put into making them each year; along with Yunnan Sourcing and a few shops in Maliandao (Taochaju, Fengmingyuan), there are few other hand-made cakes that I buy regularly. This sample is interesting, for it

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-27685532744089261252011-10-26T04:30:00.000+01:002011-10-26T04:30:00.900+01:00

Regular readers may remember my eternal, unfulfilled quest to find a solid Lapsang Souchong.  I have come very close; the delicious 2010 Zhengshan Xiaozhong from Essence of Tea was a marvellous hongcha, full of elegance and beauty - but it wasn't quite an Englishman's lapsang.  Likewise, I was sent a charming version from Canton Tea, which has perhaps been the closest to what I'm after, despite

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-52264761379519468362011-10-25T06:04:00.000+01:002011-10-25T06:04:00.422+01:00

the laughter of birds -cycling home after workin the rain

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-59697055604073562142011-10-23T05:31:00.075+01:002011-10-25T08:48:24.254+01:00

Selling tea must be very difficult.  English people, despite the stereotype, know almost nothing about tea, and are happy to drink Earl Grey, sticky-toffee-pudding tea from Whittards, and all of the usual fannings-in-teabags.  Those vendors that have had a go at cracking the mainstream UK market do so by likening their produce to wine, which is something that we know a (very) little more about.

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-20779519568449529552011-10-21T05:57:00.000+01:002011-10-21T05:57:00.499+01:00

It seems that every time I open an article concerning Mengyang Guoyan, I have to remind myself that, once or twice, they have produced good, complex cakes that I enjoy.  The reason for this odd statement is that their usual productions are bland, mainstream mulch, to my humble tastes. The cakes that I own from this factory typically derive from the blissful naivety of my early pu'er-drinking days

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-75456025323862697672011-10-20T05:20:00.006+01:002011-10-20T05:20:00.376+01:00

strong bamboo framebends under the weightof peaflowers

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-15640015732640113492011-10-18T05:22:00.024+01:002011-10-18T05:22:00.048+01:00

The 2011 "Nanpozhai" was from the next village over to Bingdao [ice island], and tasted cooling, but noticeably cereal-like, and quite different to the usual Bingdao flavour.  This cake promises to be the orthodox  creature itself, coming from Bingdao Village in Mengku County of Lincang prefecture, and is named after the famous "mushu", or "mother-trees", of that area. This packet is already

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-5242912258383725932011-10-16T05:07:00.000+01:002011-10-16T05:07:00.637+01:00

Apache's generosity knows no bounds, and, following our recent meeting, he kindly presented me with a cake of my old friend, the 2005/6 Changdahao.  I invite you to join us at the Half-Dipper article for this cake. (Please scroll to the bottom of the page, on arrival.)

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-5997598740997175732011-10-15T05:17:00.005+01:002011-10-15T05:17:00.551+01:00

office lunchbox apple picked by tiny hands bitten by tiny teeth

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-45423900186785799192011-10-13T05:19:00.033+01:002011-10-29T12:01:28.661+01:00

I like this tea, very much.  I was going to buy a cake, given its niceness.  The Douji-frenzy that overtook some of us Westerners has caused Scott of Yunnan Sourcing to sell out of his stock.  Perhaps it's time to trawl the mighty Taobaowang... "Shengtai Gushu" means, approximately, "Ecological Ancient Tree", and is (was!) sold under the name "Organic Old Tree" at Yunnan Sourcing.  Scott

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-79375147015460279552011-10-11T05:16:00.036+01:002011-10-11T11:41:43.458+01:00

Here, "Yuansheng" means "original life" and is often translated as "primeval" (Babelcarp) or "primary ecology" (Hanping).  It sells for a reasonable $49, where Scott of Yunnan Sourcing notes that this is a blend of various "wild and ancient" leaves from Xishuangbanna, with "gushu [ancient tree] material that has enough power and density to age well." A part of me hopes that this cake

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-15504497868463994022011-10-10T05:52:00.003+01:002011-10-10T05:52:00.638+01:00

puddle of tea flees the broken teapot and baby's cries

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-58571307783111692372011-10-08T05:12:00.042+01:002011-10-08T14:59:19.509+01:00

I refer the venerable Reader to my article concerning last year's cake of the same variety (which wasn't a particularly accomplished tea), the notes for which may be found here.  At the time of that article, the $220 asking price was the most expensive I have encountered for unaged tea.   This 2011 cake ups the ante to $295. I have come the conclusion that Hailanghao cakes such as

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-76303466188521881932011-10-05T05:21:00.000+01:002011-10-05T07:00:08.710+01:00

The life of a young academic is nomadic.  There is very little certainty, and we tend to roam.  Stability and permanence are not usually available to the likes of us.  Lei and I both fit into this category, and we are continually grateful for the (relative) stability that has been afforded us of late.  Many of you, gentle Readers, are in the same boat. This year, for me, was typical: I waved

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-73753829319271174922011-10-04T05:50:00.001+01:002011-10-04T10:40:18.024+01:00

end of Trinitythe sound of the spiderwebstirred by the sunbeam

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-31932876355246295712011-10-01T05:00:00.093+01:002011-10-01T05:00:07.581+01:00

Following recent notes on the delicious first half of a session with local hero, Apache, in which we encountered a series of recent 7542s, we then embarked on the following excursion into more remote times. 2000 Menghai The 2000 Menghai 7542 is a large sample, provided by Grand Tea.  My companion has some unspoken reservations concerning this tea, which he withholds until I have had the chance

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-6305513159121811492011-09-30T05:30:00.005+01:002011-10-03T14:23:54.528+01:00

pale skinlunch in the Lyon suncooked meat

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-78935532576954384402011-09-28T05:54:00.085+01:002011-09-28T16:43:44.796+01:00

Before heading out for Beijing, Lei and I were visited by our teachum who goes by the Internet pseudonym Apache - possibly the world's nicest research scientist, and sometime purveyor of mighty teacakes.  This visit, he suggested a concentrated session in which we would drink 7542 through the ages.  Genius. 2009 Dayi The batting opened with the familiar 2009 Dayi version.  When I last tried

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-81701153348881448162011-09-26T05:47:00.002+01:002011-09-26T05:47:00.244+01:00

This is the last of the big pile of cakes that Keng recently provided - such generosity bears thanking again. "Jinya" refers to "golden buds", which, as may be seen below, are well-represented in this cake's blend.  I am usually a touch skeptical of such cakes,  being milky and smooth, but not entirely great after periods of aging - but you never know.   It is a fluffy, wispy cake. It is

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-56865044843074384792011-09-25T06:28:00.004+01:002011-09-25T06:28:00.356+01:00

rustling leavesbeneath the willowtreeChinese ladies It's nice to be back from Beijing. Notes from Maliandao will follow in due course...

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-17408924792213789432011-09-23T05:52:00.053+01:002011-09-23T05:52:00.495+01:00

So, we meet at last, 2011 productions from Yunnan Sourcing.  The circle is now complete.   (Heavy breathing, extension of lightsabre.) Scott's range this year have been announced via the brave new world of Google+ (primary differentiator: it's not Facebook).  Google+ is quite amusing, in that every photograph I take with my new, strange little telephone seems to get uploaded to Google+.  I

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-28551557608032135732011-09-21T05:43:00.000+01:002011-09-21T05:43:00.408+01:00

Guyi strike a good line between lowish prices and decent quality, I've come to appreciate (with thanks to Keng for the generous introductions).  The 2004 "Gushu" was a brutal exercise into drinking powerful, sharp, woody tea.  The 2008 Yiwu Zhengshan was raw, fresh, and solid - and available for a mere $28 at Tuochatea.  The 2009 "Mushu Chawang" was not daye pu'ercha, but a massively fruity

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-80133048388388058742011-09-20T05:08:00.004+01:002011-09-20T05:08:00.422+01:00

Laolao picks luoboBaobao pulls heads offwild onions

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-86073829811598212042011-09-18T05:51:00.032+01:002011-09-18T05:51:00.057+01:00

I have had a torrid time when it comes to 8582, the classical recipe from the Mighty Menghai.  My recent cakes, admittedly, are great.  The aged samples of 8582 that I have encountered, are not.  Or, rather, to commit the cardinal sin of quoting myself, from a 1998 version, "This is a very pleasant tea.  It is crisp, smooth, and sweet.  However, it is distinctly impotent." Maximum overkudos,

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-85176216597509274272011-09-16T05:45:00.000+01:002011-09-16T05:45:00.499+01:00

While our minds are on the products of the Luxi Defeng Tea Company, let's consider this Daye Qiaomu [dar-yeah cheow-mu, big-leaf arbor] cake, a sister of the 2010 Pengxiejiao, with its "crab's feet". While its sister was available for 175 RMB on Taobao, and was probably a single-mountain cake, this cake is a blend of spring and autumn leaves from Gaoligongshan, a range famous for providing

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-31949082535659673302011-09-15T05:26:00.000+01:002011-09-15T05:26:00.248+01:00

one stack of teacakesone stack of teacake wrappersone smiling son

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-5933979464040569692011-09-10T05:22:00.004+01:002011-09-10T05:22:00.509+01:00

footprints of friendsfilling with rainwaterafter the party

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-70391490430393158042011-09-08T05:34:00.041+01:002011-09-08T05:34:00.051+01:00

It's not every day that a cake from Dehong comes your way, which is a prefecture far north of Xishuangbanna, beyond Simao, beyond Lincang, beyond even Baoshan.  It sticks out to the west, poking Burma / Myanmar in the ribs. Various merchants selling via Taobao observe that the Luxi Defeng Tea Company, to give it its full name, has its own dedicated tea gardens, which cover some 30 acres,

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-79528389324501442542011-09-06T05:49:00.032+01:002011-09-06T20:18:18.419+01:00

I did say that it was not all bad news with my four samples from Tearoma.  After two oddly empty / strangely stored 8582s, and a Zhongcha tuocha that turned out to be shupu, it is beholden on the Mighty Xiaguan to redress the balance, and make everything right once again.  Someone has to clean up this mess, so let it be Xiaguan. 8653 is a good, reliable recipe from a good, reliable factory.  

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-59402600105652195192011-09-05T05:22:00.001+01:002011-09-05T05:22:00.289+01:00

noonday sun the honeysuckle sounds like honeybees

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-53657631498366662432011-09-03T05:24:00.043+01:002011-09-03T09:42:01.939+01:00

Qianjiazhai [ch'eean jia djai] is a curious place, being in the Jinzhushan [jin dju, Golden Bamboo] area, which is in Simao prefecture, north of 'Banna. Have you come across the name before? It has a certain familiarity about it, despite its somewhat remote location. Of course, it is the origin of the "Jinzhushan" cakes, made famous by Changtai's "Qianjiafeng" brand.  Longtime sufferers of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-85227745233632813422011-09-01T05:56:00.023+01:002011-09-01T05:56:00.095+01:00

Changtai Yichanghao cakes being one of my old favourite brands, which is always stable and often very good, I never turn down the opportunity to explore the back-catalogue of this reliable old firm.  Special thanks to KC of Hong Kong for kindly introducing me to one of the company's earlier productions, this "jingpin" from 2000. If modern Yichanghao can tend to be a little "reddened", older

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-26295079752448545972011-08-31T05:27:00.004+01:002011-09-08T14:39:47.944+01:00

English gardengrowing cucumbers andChinese characters

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-74193772197183927012011-08-29T05:24:00.044+01:002011-08-30T16:47:38.177+01:00

I've had a few e-mails in recent times asking for a little help with the nefarious and nebulous depths of the mighty Taobao.  If you're a native Chinese speaker - see you in the next article.  If, like me, your ability to read Chinese could best be described as "sub-optimal", then I invite you to come with me... For those of you who haven't previously considered Taobao, it's one of the world's

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-80673047625544185102011-08-27T05:14:00.012+01:002011-08-27T05:14:00.582+01:00

How terribly exciting, I thought to myself - a 1998 Zhongcha tuocha available for $58 at Tearoma.  Following my previous two 8582-related disappointments from this merchant, perhaps the prospect of a lovely old tuocha might improve things. Alarm bells, now all-too-familiar, begin to sound when I open the sample-bag: small, densely compacted leaves that are bright red and have the reassuring

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-62743873355878845272011-08-26T05:35:00.002+01:002011-08-26T05:35:00.102+01:00

Guilin winter windthe silence of the mountainsafter blowing my nose

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-19111163110468764152011-08-24T05:21:00.017+01:002011-08-24T10:18:05.506+01:00

While we're in the mood for cakes from the Simao Gupu'er company, let's try this "Tea-horse Ancient-road" cake, the name of which of course refers to the historical horseway by which Yunnan tea was moved around. From the above, perhaps you can get a sense of the thick, crude feeling of the wrapper.  The cakes from this factory are amusingly chubby, and feel very good in their rough wrappings.

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-78950922803170342552011-08-22T05:57:00.040+01:002011-08-22T05:57:00.192+01:00

The only other Simao Gupu'er cake that I have tried was also from Keng, and it was a 2004 bingcha made entirely from huangpian [yellow leaves].  The nice thing about pu'ercha is that there are so many varieties one can often find something delicious released under a previously-unknown label.  It pays to have an open mind with pu'ercha, perhaps as with most things. The 2005 version of this

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11805889405660530292011-08-21T06:07:00.007+01:002011-08-21T06:07:00.369+01:00

little legswobble beneathlittle body

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-74993256900189655402011-08-19T05:31:00.047+01:002011-08-19T10:26:31.216+01:00

Douji are a reliable outfit.  Their mainstream, lower-tier cakes are enjoyable, accomplished blends, and their upper-tier cakes (usually single-mountain cakes) are very solid examples. Thanks, then, to the mighty TD for providing a sample of a blend that is entirely new to me: the "Yudou", where "yu" is "jade" (and "dou" refers to the label - and is approximately pronounced "doh"!). I think

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-75092178277191083512011-08-17T05:21:00.030+01:002011-08-17T05:21:00.125+01:00

It feels as if every old(er) Menghai that I drink comes from 1998.  This is most definitely not a complaint, because they have all been entirely delicious.  Looking back at my tasting notes for 1998 Menghai tea brings back a lot of woody, sweet flavour memories. This example comes from KC, my longtime Hong Kong chum who seems to be well-steeped in pu'ercha.  His house must smell brilliant. Of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-52560744940965374772011-08-16T05:23:00.006+01:002011-08-16T05:23:02.581+01:00

the silence before forty students laugh at once

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-59507654344918201502011-08-14T05:23:00.024+01:002011-08-14T05:23:01.823+01:00

Poor Tearoma.  After the pasting that they suffered in my article concerning their 1999 CNNP 8582, perhaps this sample from two years later will redress the balance.  Perhaps. I was wary of the 1999's green appearance and character, as if it were an incorrectly-sent sample.  Surely, this 2001 version will be better. Hmm.  Problems are afoot once again.  Despite the red hint added by the

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-26283646214678871682011-08-12T05:06:00.065+01:002011-08-12T05:06:08.891+01:00

Have you come across Tearoma yet?  This new shop appears to be based in Taiwan (and the US?), and has a small but very well-priced selection of cakes of a decent age (late 1990s, early 2000s).  Were the prices too good to be true?  Could it be that this 1999 cake is correctly priced at just $56? To pre-empt my conclusion, I am decided that Tearoma is a decent shop, and that the prices are

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-19753033494818021132011-08-11T05:28:00.005+01:002011-08-11T05:28:00.337+01:00

English summerthe rainwater butt fillsovernight

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-38875748037446325862011-08-09T05:18:00.040+01:002011-08-10T11:15:00.129+01:00

"What on earth is Shuangxiong?" I hear you ask.  How does one even begin to pronounce it, let alone drink it? I have encountered only one example from this producer before, and it (the 2003 Jinzhen Gongpu) was generously provided by our Singaporean chum, Keng, who was kind enough to buy a tong on our behalf, if memory serves me correctly.  It was a lovely cake, featured in the Chinese version of

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-25419606564802316582011-08-07T05:52:00.021+01:002011-08-08T10:35:43.062+01:00

Around two years ago, a Hong Kongian teachum, KC, introduced me to a lovely little Guafengzhai cake.  I think that it was one of the first cakes from that area that I had encountered, at the time - it seems that many productions have since been marketed from that area, as its popularity has increased. So, my excitement at trying out a new version of that lovely little classic was

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-41821085571564215142011-08-06T05:50:00.002+01:002011-08-06T05:50:00.434+01:00

in heaven they eat dragonon earth, donkey

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-39302048137946445472011-08-04T05:28:00.032+01:002011-08-04T10:58:51.490+01:00

Hats (horned helmets?) off to everyone's favourite Norseman, Terje the Redbearded, for providing the subject of today's article - a tuocha from the mighty Xiaguan. Xiaguan products are as safe as houses - they are low-risk, and often very enjoyable.  I have my concerns that the latterday productions, in the black-smoke genre, may have uncertainty with regard to how well they will age, but

Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.com5