2003 7542 Menghai

I am chasing a 2004 imitation recipe from CNNP with this one-year-older, authentic chunk of 7542 Menghai today. I’m finding a lot of value in comparison-sipping in my little 60ml gaiwans as I educate myself on sheng.

This is worlds more interesting than the imitation. Extremely clean storage with no funk; camphor-cooling, effervescence, smoke, pine, some smoothing fruit sweetness as steeps progress. Strangely refreshing. More attic than basement… that’s the first time I’ve used that phrase, but I quite like it as quick refence for aged-woody vs damp-stony.

It looks like there was still some bitterness hanging around in this little guy a few years ago, based on Steepster notes, but I am getting juuust enough to underpin and support the rest of the profile beautifully — seems like most of the bitter has transformed to start pumping terpenes out. I feel pretty lucky to have gotten to experience this icon at the 20-year mark.

I have a precious 3g left for future indulgence. My lips are tingling.

Thank you so very much, derk.

Dropping this here. The handwriting of a special tea friend is difficult to read ;-P I thought the label said ‘2003 Mengku 7542’ but Steepster came up empty. With some knowledge of who this came from and a quick internet search, I’m almost positive it’s ‘2003 Menghai 7542.’ If my assumption is incorrect let me know. Somehow I’ve managed to drink through a whole bag of this pu without logging it. Sipdown it is.

Red-orange-gold-hay tea, not muddy dark. The lightness of the body took several steeps for me to register. Very clean taste with subtleties that lie beyond the smokey fireplace and a dry peaty, woody bitterness that leaves my tongue tingling. The feeling is almost effervescent in its prickliness, like tiny pop-pop-pops. The tangy/acidic fruity tone of this tea reminds me of currant jam and cooked cranberries. Very light baked bread, rocky crag and clean storage flavors. The camphor hints at its cooling presence in the back of the mouth before making its strength known in that lovely warming/cooling sensation I love in my ears. Each inhale cools my whole mouth and I’m left with that dry smoke and bitterness. Lacks pronounced cha qi but makes up for it in its aged profile.

I get it. This tea is nice. I would guess more years of storage will smooth out the acidity and tannic drying quality. Gonna need some water after this, though.

Thank you <3

Song pairing: Sierra Ferrell — In Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fPqmceCf90

An enjoyable example of a dry-stored, older Menghai tea. It can be somewhat gentle, but gets a bit of a piney kick when pushed. Some smokiness in the initial steeps, especially if it’s left to cool, but it’s far from overpowering. No real qi, not particularly thick, and it gives up faster than I’d like, but with all that said, it’s nonetheless enjoyable. I’d consider buying a cake, but only at the right price (probably way lower than this would command).

It’s kind of smoky, especially in the back of throat. Like a comforting fireplace. I’m glad I bought this.