The "7581" series, a prestigious collection in the world of puerh tea, has its origins rooted in a time-honored blend recipe from 1975. Crafted in the renowned Kunming Tea Factory, this series predominantly employs 8th grade tea materials, meticulously processed through the traditional manual fermentation technique known as Wo Dui.
The tea is distinguished by its carefully selected materials, characterized by strong and substantial tea threads. These threads are a testament to the tea's quality and robustness.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2018 · Ripe (shou/shu) puerh · 250g brick · CNNP
This method is instrumental in developing the tea's distinctive characteristics and depth of flavor.
Upon brewing, it yields a red tea soup, noted for its striking brightness and clarity, a reflection of its purity and excellence.
The essence of this tea is encapsulated in its fermented tea fragrance. This aroma is not just a sensory delight but also an indicator of the tea's rich heritage and the meticulous fermentation process it undergoes. This fragrance beautifully complements the tea's texture, which is both thick and smooth, providing a satisfying and enveloping mouthfeel.
The profile of this tea is marked by a refreshing smoothness, a characteristic that appeals to both seasoned tea aficionados and those new to the world of puerh teas. Its smoothness makes it a delightful choice for any tea-drinking occasion.
This aging process not only enhances the tea's overall richness and complexity but also ensures a well-rounded flavor profile. The Guangzhou natural storage contributes to the tea's unique character, making it an exquisite selection for those seeking a premium and authentic tea experience.
Best for: everyday drinking, and easy for beginners to brew.
Brewing Guide
Water: 100°C (212°F), fully boiling.
- Preheat the vessel; add around 5g per 100ml.
- Two quick rinses to wake the leaf, then a covered rest of about 10 minutes.
- Steep 10–15 seconds at first, adding ~5 seconds per round.
- Always pour out completely into a fairness cup before drinking.
- Keep steeping — ripe puerh rewards patience with many rounds.
These are guidelines to start from, not rules to obey. Experiment with your pour, your pace, and the season; the same leaf tastes different on a rainy day. The goal is the skill to brew it well whenever, wherever.
Storage
Give it air, coolness and dryness; keep it out of the sun and clear of potent odors (spices, smoke). For multi-year aging, paper or unglazed clay lets the tea breathe in a way sealed plastic never will.
Matured through natural storage methods in Guangzhou, the "7581" series tea has been allowed to age gracefully.
A Note on Appearance
Not every brick shows these, but they can occur, especially in teas with more years of storage.
- Bamboo powder (zhu fen): a natural sign of traditional bamboo-husk packing. In Guangdong's warm, humid climate, tiny bamboo insects can make their home in the husk, nibbling the husk and cotton paper wrapper while leaving the tea itself untouched. What they leave behind is a fine powder, seen only on certain teas and more often on aged ones. It is harmless to hygiene; a few strokes with a clean toothbrush or soft brush before brewing is all it takes.
- Tea oil spots: yellowish spots may appear and can come from natural tea oils. They are not a flaw.
- Torn wrapper: small tears or holes in the cotton paper may happen during storage and handling. The tea inside is unaffected.
