Yet Another Puerh Identification Game

[Maitre_Tea]

So a while ago I test-bought a cake, and with the approval of the local tea heads, I proceeded to buy two more. I'm wondering about the origins of this thing though. This was sold to me as a Mengku production (not sure if it's Mengku Shuangjiang though) from 2002; however, the wrapper design seems to be a sharp departure from their typical style of the early 00s. This is just a photo from the vendor, but I can snap photos of the cake itself and nei fei if it still can't be identified.



If anyone is familiar with this, what material is it? I've seen at some other places that this is made from Da Xue Shan (Big Snow Mountain) material.

[nicolas]

You bought a 2002 Mengku.





Although for personal use and long term storage I'd prefer the 2006 Mengku Wild Arbor King for its superior leaf quality.

[Maitre_Tea]

do you know if this the same mengku as "mengku shuangjiang"?
and if you know this, can you confirm if the material is Da Xue Shan material, or is it just Mengku area maocha?

[nicolas]

Shuangjiang Mengku is the name of a location however when we say Mengku (勐库), we are referring to tea made by China Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Co., Ltd. or released by them under the brand name Meng Ku Rong Shi.





I do not know this cake but judging from price, photos and vague taobao descriptions it looks like "best quality (极品) Mengku area maocha". It should be noted that there are many grades more inferior or superior than "best quality" so descriptions cannot be relied upon in the decision making process.

The most important thing is whether you like the tea.

[Maitre_Tea]

so the "勐库号" of my cake probably isn't the famous one then...
the tea itself is delicious,and I don't regret my decision in any way. I'm just a little curious about its provenance, besides just "mengku" area tea.

BTW, that 2006 Mengku Wild Arbor King looks really mature for its age, judging from the darkening colors of the leaf