’06 Fuhai Raw Series

The Fuhai TF is one of the traditional state factories from back in the day, factory #6, founded in the early 80s under a different name.  Their early focus was in producing dianhong, but shifted to puerh in the 90s.  They have a few very highly regarded productions

’06 Bulang Wild Big Tree

Bulang Wild Big Tree acquired in March 2022, marvelously stored mineral-camphor expression. It’s an oily medicinal camphor, mostly old-school toothpaste menthol with some band-aid benodyne that reverberates in the aftertaste, tingles the lips.  Balanced bittersweet broth, representing characteristic Bulang boldness.  Soapy smooth texture glides on the tongue, marking very decent raw material that is not astringent.  A second wave of sweetness washes in about four minutes after swallowing.  Smoke but considerably less than even ’23.

Originally dry-stored in Fuzhou, in Los Angeles since Mar ’22.  30g.

88¢

’13 Fuhai Melody

Uplifting and refreshing, the raw material originates from the Bulang terroir of Menghai County at elevations 1700 meters above sea level.  We’re talking high mountain qiaomu exhibiting trademark attributes of both Bulang and early spring puerh.  Since its acquisition in April ’22, FH Melody has sweetened considerably.  Dry, the nose is tropical fruity with soy sauce.  The broth nose and taste is trademark honey.  Astringency starts out bit drying but then the salivation kicks in.  Mostly light honey in the aftertaste, fading to rock sugar.   First two infusions cloudy and honey coloured before becoming transparent and with very little colour.  Full round taste with nice thickness.  Bitterness at edges.  Overall, friendly and highly drinkable.  357g.  20g sample.

25¢

’07 Mincemeat

The ’07 Mincemeat, actuality 7536 from Fuhai TF, is purported to be modeled after Menghai TF’s 7532.  It’s one of Fuhai’s hallmark productions, offered on an almost annual basis. The ’07 is distinctively of a mincemeat nature: prunes, spices, and a delightful bay laurel.    This is the second shipment of this offering first offered in ’17.  The Jan ’23 arrival’s taste is has more tobacco and wood, a deeper, coazier experience.  Still a shamefully overlooked production. 357g.  20g sample.

21¢

’11 Naka

This Fuhai Naka consists of early spring arbor material from altitudes of 1800m.  True Naka floral boldness dry and wet.  On the bitter side, sweetness initially bursts forth.  This treasure presents with the best of strict traditional processing methods and storage.  Zero shortcuts with the kill-green and no cheating with excessive humid conditions mottling its intrinsic character.  Spot on astringency piques salivation with artful balance.  Lively mouthfeel, lips tingle.  Frisson.  Resolute huigan, some Wrigley’s spearmint gum in there.  Chest-expanding qi, increased focus, no jangles however.  Flawed by lack of clarity (2-5) indicating space for further transformation and sweetening.  Fine for drinking now but will be much fancier in about 3-5yrs under proper storage.  Cooler temps reflect better than average material that should transform into something quite remarkable.

First batch.  Stored in Los Angeles since Nov ’23.  357g. 20g sample.

33¢