TeaChat

Hello everyone,

I know that heavydoom is particularly fond of this cake. The more I look at it the more I like it, I just looks like a great cake. In my next YSLLC order I am thinking of obtaining 2 of these cakes. My question is, Has anyone else had any experiences with this cake? And for those that have tried both how does it compare to the 2008 Mengku Bing Dao Spring Cake, which is basically the same price and weight and all that?

Thanks!

You're going to buy 2 without trying it first?

This isn't really an answer. I have tried 2008 Mengku Mu Ye Chun "Old Tree" and "Spring Tips" this morning. I'm sick and can't smell and can't taste well; this is not a through review.

"Old Tree"
*More astringent and smoky.
*Good feel mouth for young cake, not too much "dry feel"
*More heavily Pressed
*Prettier, "greener" leaves
*More steeping
*Better aging candidate?

"Spring Tips"
*Slightly smaller, "whiter" leaves
*No dry feel
*Better drink now

Wesli wrote:You're going to buy 2 without trying it first?

Yeah I know, its scary, I am really trusting other opinions here and going by gut feeling, I figure once I taste it, there will be no more to get.

Ed, Thanks, both of those cakes are on my list to get as well, thanks for the review, it did actually help.

I agree with trying a sample first, however the shipping cost dilemma is probably making you decide for the whole cake, and scrap the sampling idea. I tried ysllc samples, they are so broken up (NOT CAREFULLY FLAKED) it makes a brew totally bitter. It would give you an unfair tasting of the intended cake. Read a few more tasting reviews from other blogs, then decide on 1 good raw would be my advice.

orguz wrote:I agree with trying a sample first, however the shipping cost dilemma is probably making you decide for the whole cake, and scrap the sampling idea. I tried ysllc samples, they are so broken up (NOT CAREFULLY FLAKED) it makes a brew totally bitter. It would give you an unfair tasting of the intended cake. Read a few more tasting reviews from other blogs, then decide on 1 good raw would be my advice.

I always agree sampling is the way to go. The only problem is that, as you said shipping is killer, and a 25 gram sample is about $4.00, when you can get the whole thing for $20 it sounds kinda stupid dont ya think? Not to mention others on this forum rave about the bang for your buck that Mengku teas provide, and I trust them on that, so that is why I dont feel bad about getting a cake like this without sampling. Not to mention if I didnt like it I am sure someone on here would be wiling to buy it from me, to save on shipping from China. Also thanks for the tip about the samples from YSLLC, orguz.

I tried the 06 earlier this year. Way too light for me. In fact I've found that to be my experience with a lot of Mengku teas. I want to like them, but they're all just so weak to me. I should try that 06 Mu Shu Cha.

thanks wrote:I tried the 06 earlier this year. Way too light for me. In fact I've found that to be my experience with a lot of Mengku teas. I want to like them, but they're all just so weak to me. I should try that 06 Mu Shu Cha.

hmmm. Thanks for your opinion. I am not a fan of lightness when it comes to puerh. I will keep that in mind. Thanks, thanks (hehe, couldn't resist)

thanks wrote: Way too light for me. In fact I've found that to be my experience with a lot of Mengku teas.

That's been my first comment about any of the 3 or 4 Mengku Shuangjiang cakes that I have had: light tasting, but I often find a lot to like within those parameters, but on the light side.

too light tasting? use more leaves or infuse longer for the desired knock out punch.

try this cake for a t.k.o. :

2006 Haiwan * Pure Purple Bud Raw Pu-erh Tea * 357 g

I don't like (for storage) young light pansy sheng! Young sheng Must bring it!

Heavy -- Haiwan massive big ups.

brandon wrote:Heavy -- Haiwan massive big ups.

word.



Established in October 1999, Yunnan Haiwan Tea Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in the business of Pu-erh Tea. Under the leadership of Mr. Zou Bingliang and Mr. Lu Guoling, the senior Pu-erh Tea experts of Yunnan, it is a limited liability company with a team composed of professional technician and market talents adept in importing and exporting business.

OK, I ordered one!

These cakes are starting to interest me. . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Yong-Pin-Hao-L ... m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Haiwan-Tea-Fac ... dZViewItem