TeaChat

I've been looking for some 2011 Menghai 7542 samples/cakes to try and I've noticed something interesting (to me at least).

Most of the vendors I've been checking either sold out or do not have this cake in stock. However, there are plenty of other years available (2008, 2010, etc.).

Is there a reason why the 2011s are more difficult to come by? Do vendors usually wait a year or two to release cakes (I mean, will 2011 cakes become available over the next few years?)? Why would there be plenty of 2006, 2008, and 2009 7542 cakes, but no 2011? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for your help ... I appreciate it.

EDIT: As an addendum, I'm specifically looking for 2011 teas, as 2011 will be a special year for my new wife and me for many years to come!

There are 34 in stock here.
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... klp825sjc3

Since its just a standard recipe cake I would think that if a vendor has plenty of last years stock than there isn't much reason for them to stock this years.

G,

That makes sense about not wanting to stock '11s if the vendor has plenty of previous years cakes in stock.

PuerhShop is actually the only vendor I've seen that currently has it stocked (I received my sample just a few days ago). I just thought it was strange that I haven't seen any other reputable vendors with it in stock ... but your rationale makes sense.

Thanks for your input.

After Menghai rebranded themselves a few years back, and did a huge marketing campaign, demand surged...especially for the 7542. They are not as easy to come by these days.

That increase in demand is also reflected in the price... the current-year pu'erh used to be a lot cheaper (even when factoring in the shipping costs, since puerhshop is in the US).

Thanks for both of your input.

puerhking wrote:After Menghai rebranded themselves a few years back, and did a huge marketing campaign, demand surged...especially for the 7542. They are not as easy to come by these days.

Drax wrote:That increase in demand is also reflected in the price... the current-year pu'erh used to be a lot cheaper (even when factoring in the shipping costs, since puerhshop is in the US).

I think for 7542 the increase is especially acute (look at the price compared to other staples such as 8582) because collectors and speculators snap up 7542 hoping to get their hands on the next "88 Qing Bing" in 15 years or so.

The good news is that in 15 years, everyone will be floating in high grade aged sheng and it will be as cheap as chips.

The 88 cake was basicly a forgotten left over (I believe) so you have a kind of rarity and oddity that combined with a huge increase in interest that makes it very expensive today. The seriously huge supply of tea that is being stored now can't all have the same mix of potential and demand that will command the massive price the 88 cake carries today.

Some will be great, but even then, the quantity available will be magnitudes higher than the rare cakes of today.