’06 Haixintang Raw & Ripe

Yunnan Haixintang Tea Co., Ltd. is a professional enterprise integrating scientific tea research, cultivation, planting, processing and sales. It has a natural ecological tea garden base (shengtai) of 4,000 acres. Since its establishment in 1993, the company has always believed in the fundamental concept of providing consumers with an authentic puerh experience. Upon a foundation of quality, purity, and culture, HXT has exerted itself along a path of preservation and innovation, marrying the two for purposes of passing down and promoting the magnificence of puerh tea culture. All told, they’ve featured over 300 productions, some collected by the the China Tea Museum.  Terroir offerings span Yunnan’s entirety with the exception of Lincang.

’06 Grenouille Raw Tuo

The ’06 Grenouille is a 100g raw tuo inspired by the main anti-hero in the historical novel Perfume. Grenouille is a master perfumer and were he to have been a teameister, there is no doubt that this would be his creation.

At first blush this tuo should easily fall into the tobacco class, but it defies categorisation.  It possesses no smokiness or harshness typical to the tobacco class.  The taste is too spiked for it to be Zen.  Perfume is the unmistakable takeaway, but this is no ordinary perfume.  Some perfumes like Channel smell like roach spray.  Others are too floral and garish.  Still others are too spicy and hot.  Then there’s Opium.

Grenouille is not Opium but it is every bit as exquisite, sweet and ineffable. In LA since April ’20. 100g.

45¢

’08 Wuliang Longevity Ripe Cake

Wuliang Longevity is a fully fermented production from early spring material picked at altitudes of 1800m above sea level.  Strong boozy cherry nose, followed by silken sweet liquor finishing with an evanescent sourness that strongly activates the salivary juices.  From the depths emerges a light milk chocolate covered wafer, with the chocolate building in the aftertaste.  Roast notes evocative of coffee assert themselves after the initial infusion.  Continued thick sweet mouth coating, but more roast.  Hint of orchid at room temperature.   Stored in Los Angeles since Mar ’23. 357g.

13¢

’14 Jingmai Old Tree Raw 60g

This spry Jingmai is part of a hefty 1 kilo cake.  Aroma and taste are lively, clean, and refreshing.  It’s not too sweet nor is it bitter.  Some citrus   Body is on the light side.  Incredibly consistent from one infusion to the next.  A steady, friendly personality.  The huigan excels, truly quick, sweet, and long lasting, evocative of jasmine in the breeze.  Stored in LA since April ’23.  60g.

44¢

’18 Yiwu 7 Sons Ripe

The Yiwu 7 Sons Ripe expresses a fruity personality of plum and cherry.  Medium body and sweetness balanced by accents of mouth-cooling camphor and dark chocolate astringency.  Burgundy-hued liquor with shimmering clarity.  In Los Angeles since March ’23. 357g.

15¢

’20 Mansong

Mansong in the the hallmark Yibang village within the Yiwu terroir. This is a modern-processed production that has nice bright floral notes without too much sweetness. A nice balance of bold astringency and balancing bitter and medium body make this production an easy go for either gong-fu or grandpa brewing. Bright and clean, the crowning attribute is undoubtedly its qi. Fotos here.

14¢