2004 Tian Fu Xiang "Menghai Ripe Brick" Aged Pu-erh Tea

Tian Fu Xiang was a small Menghai Tea factory that started in the early-2000s. Tian Fu Xiang was started by Zhang Li Xiang who worked for the Menghai Tea Factory in the late 80's and 90's. He brought his knowledge of wet piling with him when he started Tian Fu Xiang and as such the Tian Fu Xiang ripe teas are quite excellent, displaying Menghai-like complexity and high aroma. The 2004 brick we offer here is a wrapperless ripe brick with a medium-tight level of compression. The leaf grade is typical for a brick and reminds me of a Da Yi 7562 recipe. The tea brews up a very clear and bright near-burgundy hued tea soup. The aroma is that of camphor wood and night blooming flower nectar. The taste is thick but not overpowering, medium viscosity, aged "chen xiang" aroma and taste is present and there is a sweet fruitiness and fast hui gan. We recommend brewing with 100C water and using a silver or clay teapot. This tea needs the heat to unfold and open up. We also recommend prying off on thin sheets instead of large blocky chunks that might be a bit reluctant to come apart even with the hottest water. 2004 Pressing from the Tian Fu Xiang Tea Factory in Menghai Stored in Kunming since 2005