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TU's Yancha seemed quite overroasted to me (and I'm definitely not into green wulongs)... I generally wasn't happy about them, I think that, e.g., Jingteashop's Yancha is somewhat better. Anyway, even that is not that close to Yancha sold by EoT, which is very good (although expensive).theredbaron wrote:I believe we have similar views on what is affordable and what is really pricey. I will try one day the Tea Urchin Yancha as well. Will be interesting to read how you compare the two suppliers.Tead Off wrote:Generally, I agree with you and others, but the interpretation of 'good' will necessarily vary with different tea drinkers. Also, 'affordable' will greatly vary depending on economic circumstances. $100/100g is steep to some and not steep to others. Where do we draw the line on 'affordable' and 'good'?theredbaron wrote:Nowadays though even good Yancha is very difficult to get, and rarely affordable.
The Yancha I've been drinking from Tea Urchin is certainly good to me. The Tie Luo Han and Shui Jin Gui are both under $50/100g. For me, this is affordable. I am looking forward to see if the YS Yanchas will be anywhere near 'good' for me because they are indeed affordable and I would love to pay less for 'good' teas.
Dancong teas are another category where 'good' and 'affordable' don't seem to mix. Sometimes I am tempted to try a tea based on the photos of the leaves but I know now, it is not possible for me to tell from the photos. So, when I see Dancong teas for under $30/100g that have beautiful looking long whole leaves, I have a difficult time believing it is 'good'.
It's because of its source. A lot of the truly higher-end yancha (well, there isn't much around) you see resold on the west can be procured through other sources for a better price, if you figure out the maker/factory. Sometimes on Taobao. I've found yancha from Huang family members and also from their factory, but never from the older Huang, which is EoT's yancha. His own production seems to really, really small. It's probably just Nada and a couple of other people with crazy guanxi-powers, or friends, or whatever. That tea really makes me wish I was rich.JakubT wrote:I generally wasn't happy about them, I think that, e.g., Jingteashop's Yancha is somewhat better. Anyway, even that is not that close to Yancha sold by EoT, which is very good (although expensive).
Sorry, just corrected it!Tead Off wrote:You have mixed up my quote with JakubT's.
That TLH is a real winner. The huigan is impressive as well as depth of flavor/aroma.theredbaron wrote:I have just tried the new batch of Yancha which Yunnansourcing got in - the Tie Luo Han and the Rou Gui - and those two are very good, also considering the more than reasonable price.
These are not very high fired Yancha, but not green either, just right, and display all the complex taste profiles these two particular teas should have. Scott said in an email that he got these teas from a family of producers which has been since generations in the Wu Yi mountains, and that he only has a few kilos of each tea.
If you like Yancha - i would really suggest trying them (I made a larger order already...
here's the direct links:
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/wuyimounta ... g-tea.html
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/wuyimounta ... g-tea.html
I found the Hua Xiang DHP too floral and too sweet for my taste, same as the Hua Xiang Shui Shien (both of those teas were from the same producer, Scott said). But that's just me.Tead Off wrote: That TLH is a real winner. The huigan is impressive as well as depth of flavor/aroma.
The Rou Gui is much lighter and more difficult to get that richness out of, but certainly is very drinkable. Maybe I need to use more leaf than usual with this tea.
The AA DHP did not impress very much. However, the Hua Xiang DHP is not to be missed, my 2nd favorite next to the TLH. Delicious.
Scott = YS = Yunnan Sourcing, at least that is my understanding of the players in the game so to speak.kikula wrote:Hey guys, this thread is a little out of control with acronyms - I've lost track of who Scott is. Many thanks if you'd use full spelling.