Identifying Zongcha cakes

[gasninja]

I Have collected a few CNNP Zongcha cakes from late 90s to early 2000 ,which I would like some more info on. Is Their any way to do this by the wrapper description ticket or neifi. Some cakes I don't know the factory but I know The year Some I know the factory but don't know the recipe (such as 7542 or location). An example of this would be a 99 xiaguan green cake.But is it an 8653 or what?

I know not knowing the local or recipe doesn't effect the taste but I would like to know if their is a way.
I've noticed on the bottom of the description ticket the fourth character from the end varies is this the factory ?

[wyardley]

If you post some pictures people on the forum might be able to make some educated guesses, but it will probably be hard without stack tickets.

If you have a '99 Xiaguan cake with traditional characters on the front wrapper, it probably should be 8653.
http://cloudspuerh.blogspot.com/2006/09 ... ional.html has some photos.

[MarshalN]

I Have collected a few CNNP Zongcha cakes from late 90s to early 2000 ,which I would like some more info on. Is Their any way to do this by the wrapper description ticket or neifi. Some cakes I don't know the factory but I know The year Some I know the factory but don't know the recipe (such as 7542 or location). An example of this would be a 99 xiaguan green cake.But is it an 8653 or what?

I know not knowing the local or recipe doesn't effect the taste but I would like to know if their is a way.
I've noticed on the bottom of the description ticket the fourth character from the end varies is this the factory ?

You need to give us pics for us to even begin to know what you're looking at and talking about. For character from the end, for example -- left or right side?

[gasninja]

I'm having trouble uploading photos onto my posts. I have them on my computer in jpeg, but it keeps giving me a image message.

The character I am talking about is the fourth from the right on the bottom of the description ticket.

I geuss I just wanted to find out if their was a character or series of characters I could look to on every cake and it would let me know whether the is xiaguan or it is menghai or kuming or wherever.

[MarshalN]

Without a pic it's impossible to tell you anything

[wyardley]

I geuss I just wanted to find out if their was a character or series of characters I could look to on every cake and it would let me know whether the is xiaguan or it is menghai or kuming or wherever.

In short, no. Some teas (mostly later ones, I think) have the factory name listed on the ticket or wrapper, but I think it's the exception more than the rule. You can, of course, look up the names of the factories online and see if you see characters matching them on the wrapper or tickets of your tea.... or you can read some basic information on how to post images here.

[gasninja]

Thanks for the help I'll try to post some pics tonite.

The one I'm most curious about actually says menghai factory on the bottom. It was sold as a 99 Menghai Green Cake. I'm assuming That it is either a lower grade cake or the vendor doesn't know the blend.

[fdrx]

why are you curious about this one?

[gasninja]

It had a yellow flowerbud (not a tea flower) and a seed pod (similar to a dandelion when it goes to seed) on the back of the cake. So I'm curious as to what menghai recipe includes these ingredients been busy but I'll try to post some pics this weekend.

[MarshalN]

It had a yellow flowerbud (not a tea flower) and a seed pod (similar to a dandelion when it goes to seed) on the back of the cake. So I'm curious as to what menghai recipe includes these ingredients been busy but I'll try to post some pics this weekend.

It's not a Menghai tea then.

[gasninja]

I got it fromthe phoenix collection you think David Hoffmans selling fake menghai cakes ? It says menghai tea industry and has the menghai character on the neifi. It seems like an awful lot of trouble to go thru for a 60dollar cake. but the tea is pretty much not drinkable (in its present state) very smokey and strong. so I dont know could be fake Ill try to post pics again so you can take a look.

[TIM]

If you brought it from a US vendor, a reputed one, as your view. Would it be easier to let him tell you the full story/history and share with us?

[MarshalN]

I got it fromthe phoenix collection you think David Hoffmans selling fake menghai cakes ? It says menghai tea industry and has the menghai character on the neifi. It seems like an awful lot of trouble to go thru for a 60dollar cake. but the tea is pretty much not drinkable (in its present state) very smokey and strong. so I dont know could be fake Ill try to post pics again so you can take a look.

I've seen fake pu cakes that sold for less than $5 USD in China, so yes, there are people who go through a lot of trouble making tea that are fake for what looks like very little money. Just because it's from DLH doesn't mean it can't be fake. The guy doesn't provide any information on any of his teas, so it's not as if you have anything else to rely on other than whatever little info (green cake, aged cake, etc) he dishes out.

[wyardley]

I got it fromthe phoenix collection you think David Hoffmans selling fake menghai cakes ? It says menghai tea industry and has the menghai character on the neifi.

Menghai County is an area; as pointed out in countless other threads, a cake made since privatization can say "Menghai" on it and not be made by "the" [CNNP] Menghai Tea Factory / Dayi.

Are there images of this cake on his site?

[MarshalN]

DLH doesn't post anything other than a name and a price and an alleged date.