Ripe puer Menghai 7572 represents the highest taste standard. It is a favorite tea of genuine collectors, and it is sold in all respectable tea shops. It was produced in Menghai Factory in 1975 and stood the test of time. It was reproduced many times, was copied by other factories and even was imitated by unnamed producers due to its popularity. Properly speaking, this tea is an excellent blend of large and small leaves, tips and buds.
Numbers of the code “7572” mean that the tea recipe was produced in 1975, third number “7” means the type of leaves, “2” is the code of Menghai Factory. The design of the package contains legendary logo “Shui Lan Yin”, that means “Green stamp”, green hieroglyph “Cha”, “Tea” which is surrounded by eight red hieroglyphs “zhong”, “the middle”. This symbol is the part of the tea production story of Yunnan puers in the XX century.
“Fohai” Factory was founded in 1940 and its work was interrupted during the war period. The Menghai Factory was nationalized in 1949, it was renamed in 1953 and started to be managed by a trade corporation CNNP (China National Native Produce & Animal By-Products Import & Export Corporation). CNNP had the export and import monopoly of all agricultural goods. Its trademark “Zhong Cha” was placed on all production of large Yuhnnan Tea Factories, such as Menghai Factory, Xiaguan Factory, Kunming Factory and others. The producer’s name was printed at special card “ning fei” which was placed inside the cha bing and on the external package. Tea cakes or cha bings were packed in the bamboo basket or in the wooden box. The logo was absolutely red and lately was named “Hung Yin”, “Red Stamp”.
That was the time of the tea culture renaissance after a long period of war and economic decline. That was time of renovating of tea culture and tea production, new scientist experiments, standards work out, and the introduction of progressive technologies. After “Red Stamp” series, “Green Stamp” series was produced in 1950-s and “Yellow Stamp” series in 1970-s.
In 1980-s the state control over tea production got weaker. The Menghai Factory has started to import puer to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and registered the brand name “Da Yi”, “Great Favor” in 1989. The Factory stared to trade with this trademark. During 1990-s it renovated the production of “7452” and “7572” recipes by the order of CNNP corporation which became extremely popular among tea enthusiasts and collectors. According to tradition the production date was placed on the external package and that caused to many speculations and fake production of this tea. During “puer boom” some dealers betrayed new tea cakes as vintage of 1970-s and 1980-s production because there was no any date certificate on single items.
Tea cake “7572” was produced in 2002 and weights 375 gr. Dry tea cake is well compressed, springy and easily crushed. The color is bright, dark-brown with vinous tone. The cha bing material is homogeneous, consists of leaves pieces, small stems and tiny red buds. The aroma is mellow with woody and nutty tones.
The clear infusion is deep red-brown.
The excellent bouquet of brewed tea has nutty and berry tones with a woody, earthy and chocolate accents. The honorable taste is very complex, rich, expressive and velvet. The aroma is mellow, mild, warm. The aftertaste is very enjoyable.
7572 puer is brewed with 95-100°С water in yixing teapot for ripe puers or in a thick-walled gaiwan. Take 6-7 gr of crushed puer for 120ml vessel. Infuse 10-15 seconds for the first time. After just shed tea with water, make each next brewing a bit longer. This tea can be brewed for 8-9 times.
That is the perfect gift for ripe-puer enthusiasts. It is the mark of pride for the tea collector. The tasting of “Menghai 7572” is an essential point for gathering friends who are united not only in talks, but also in silence. Each sip of this precious drink transforms into warmth of the body, brings peace, clarity in mind, creates silence which makes order in thoughts and turns feelings to the Source.
