Sunday, August 17, 2008

Vincerò!


Coincidence or just faith playing out in an interesting sequel? After more than 3 months of learning water quality and a life long of being patient with brewing tea. An interesting learning experience unfold last night. One of my mother's dear friends stopped by yesterday, accompanying a group of entourage, who all have exquisite taste in wine and culinary skills. Brought over a tea which is unknown to them in what tea varietal it is.

The brief history of this tea is from her husband's prestigious family. Uncle Conran is in his early 60s, and this was a gift from his grandmother. His family was originated from Quangdong, nine rivers province. This puerh brick had been handed down to his generations as a "guidance" to the house. In total weight of 600 gram, highly compressed and solid as a rock.

I had heard of many stories about generations-old tea before, the sudden appearance of lost storage and it fetches for astronomical price. Most of them are unfortunately stunt from tea vendors or tea masters who have no idea what they're talking about.... I was quite surprised in this cast.


Close examination reveals looser layers of tea leaves on the surface, but well compacted interior. The whole brick carries a grey blue hue, with a brown grayish core. It was not stored in a good condition at first impression. The last time consumed was about 15 yrs ago, as mentioned by auntie Betty: "It is so hard, so we used a hammer and a saw to saw off a corner..." The mark of the cut had aged in a redish brown tone with clay like quality.

We had 9 people, so I decided to use 11 grams to satisfy our curiosity. I brought over my qing dynasty puerh pot (350 ml) to match the date of this tea. It took me more than 15 mins to ply out 2 whole layers and half dust mix.

Water from a Republic Period water pot, storaged for 3 days using Poland Spring. This water will provide a perfect neutral foundation for the brew... act of 3, to be continue....

3 comments:

Salsero said...

You have GOT to be making this up!! For a tea loving white boy from the Midwest, this is like a dream, a fantasy. If my family sat around to taste something it would be cheap, young, and alcoholic. At first I was upset that the story broke off halfway, but now I'm happy to think more is coming. I love the photos too. I can feel the atmosphere with those different age groups gathered around. Such a great sense of family and tea. Wonderful.

Add Turandot, my favorite opera, to the title and I'm eager for Part 2!

toki said...

Hope you will enjoy my favorite Act III. Thanks again Sal.

Unknown said...

I'm beyond jealous. Wow. Please post more and describe it to is in depth! Until then I will have to just imagine what amazing feelings and flavors this tea produced....sigh...

Thanks
meedaTEAcher

 
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