Founder Zhang Jian-li established, Xinghai TF in 2002 after her 19 years experience with Menghai TF (Dayi). Situated in Xishuangbanna, Xinghai specializes in offerings from the Banzhang (some my argue Bulang) region, particularly Banpen and Hekai. From inception to ’05, Meistra Zhang’s processing style exclusively favoured long-term storage. In order to meet market demand for more immediately drinkable offerings, her approach progressively struck a compromise between market impatience and preservation of old-school philosophy. In ’07 her three-set “Stylin‘, Refinement, and Praise” won the gold metal at the ’07 National Tea Artists Association and Puerh Tea Appraisal Conference.
’05 Xinghai Green Mark
Signature Xinghai green apple candy and smoked wood, incipient kerosene undertow particularly evident at cooler temps. After hour apple sour salivating cheeks. Resin-ating wood, with maturity emerging sweet. Better and better with age. LA dry stored since April ’20. 357g. 2nd batch. Only 3 avail.
36¢
’07 Oasis Odyssey
Oasis Odyssey, Xinghai batch 701 Bulang spring material bears the nickname “Purple Mark” for obvious reasons. The neipiao reflects an era in which all major factories recited the same lines about fragrance, colour, pep, and richness, while offering positively nothing about composition. Still, the neipiao in the Purple Mark’s case consists of an appealing purple design forming the background onto which bold characters are arrayed vertically from right to left in traditional fashion. Compression reflects the era of hardcore machine pressing.
From the dry gaiwan lid of the Odyssey, serious petrol notes emanate, while the cup gives off playful fruity sweetness. The rinse water blends light petrol and honey. Tobacco class with light berry, oily leather, a bit of spice, incense, no flowers. From clay, the vibe is less dynamic,
The initial infusion is strong enough. Lot’s of petrol. The huigan is long and oily, reaching all the way down the throat, with a bit of pepper on the blade of the tongue. Astringency builds with each infusion but never obnoxiously. Outsanding clarity and heady, heavy qi. Epitomizes the Xinghai house style.
Stored in Guangdong for 15 yrs under dry conditions and Los Angeles since Mar ’23. Zero humid taste.
16¢
’07 Green Peacock
Green Peacock, Xinghai TF expresses baked apple and lightly smoked wood along with an intense complex of oils and crispness, lemonene and camphor. Warming qi gushes upward from navel through body center to “third eye”. Jubillant huigan of winter: bay laurel, lemon verbena, autumn cider, pine. Perfect dry storage, nice pressing for a production from this era. Los Angeles stored since Sept 2022. 357g. No time stamp on neifei per XH proclivity for 2nd batch offerings. 20g sample.
18¢
’07 HK Returns 10th Anniversary
HK Returns 10th, Xinghai TF raw puerh cake comprised of Bulang big tree material. Chrysanthemum and peat, some grapefruit twang in moderately astringent huigan. Some mouth watering. Uplifting and relaxing qi, nice deep colour, and beautiful clear liquor. Typical ’07 tight compression. Mildly humid storage. Durable floral Xinghai workhorse. Los Angeles stored since Oct 2022. 357g. 20g sample.
15¢
’14 LBZ
Xinghai LBZ high orchid florality. Lasting sweet huigan, rich broth. Light Guangdong storage, evident humidity but not distracting. Durable. Is it real LBZ? The taste and and huigan are real enough for Xinghai to put its name behind it. High altitude, 2000 meters. Stone pressed arbor (乔木). Exquisite floral class production, outstanding value. LA since Sept ’22. 20g. Sample.
26¢
‘ll Lapsang Bulang
Lapsang Bulang is a smoky monstrosity, thick long-lasting, and sweet with a thick mouth-feel. This is must for a fan of lapsang suchong and husky Bulangs. The brick is densely formed, flakes off with a bit of umph. There is little transformation, but the smoke is so strong that it effectively balances any immature tastes that might exist. Hoorah!
Infusion 13, the sweetness remains. A mineral activity in the mouth prevails as if it were infusion six or so of a decent production. It never expresses any roughness. There’s also an element of ash that can be detected. Overall, exceptional material and creation.
sold out
| Size | G Peacock, G Peacock Sample, Green Mark, Green Mark Sample, HKReturns, HKReturns Sample, LBZ, LBZ Sample, Oasis O, Oasis O Sample |
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