Everyday Oolong

Owes its flavors to oxidation levels between green & black tea.


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May 18th, '08, 14:54
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by ABx » May 18th, '08, 14:54

Cuiyu and Shui Xian are both good everyday types. Cuiyu is a jade Taiwanese that is grown at a lower elevation and of a different strain than the high mountain oolongs. It's something like a cross between a jade Tie Guan Yin or Huang Jin Gui and a Taiwan high mountain. It's thicker and rounder than most TGY or HJG. TeaCuppa and Shan Shui both have Cuiyu, with TeaCuppa's being this year's harvest. Like most Taiwan high mountain oolongs, it yeilds a good number of steeps; which is something to keep in mind. Many Taiwan high mountains seem to cost a lot for the relatively small amount that you get, but one pot can last you all day.

The less expensive Dancongs are also usually pretty good. These are one of the main things that really got me into oolongs in general. Again TeaCuppa has some good ones.

Shui Xian is a pretty basic Wuyi yancha, and it's not very expensive. Most vendors have it, though I recommend TeaCuppa's (I'm sure Jing's is great as well). It's also a good one to start with if you're interested in getting into yancha. It's easy to get a decent cup, but it can give you a lot more when you really figure out how to brew it. Once you do you'll have a much better idea of how to get similar results from other Wuyi's.

Lao Cong Shui Xian is actually a bit better, IMO, and also not terribly expensive at TeaCuppa.

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May 18th, '08, 15:47
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by Salsero » May 18th, '08, 15:47

As always, ABx, the breadth and depth of your knowledge is astounding. Thanks so much for this ton of information.

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May 18th, '08, 16:02
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 18th, '08, 16:02

ABx that is just the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks so much. I haven't ever ordered from TeaCuppa but now that you recommend them for oolong, I must! :lol:

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May 18th, '08, 16:14
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by Victoria » May 18th, '08, 16:14

I don't remember ever having a bad oolong from TeaCuppa. A good place to try wuyi, their prices are good.

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May 18th, '08, 18:02
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by ABx » May 18th, '08, 18:02

Indeed, TeaCuppa is one of my favorite vendors. As Victoria noted, they are particularly good for Wuyi's. Their Wuyi prices aren't always the best for some of the others (most are low to average prices), but their tea master up in China seems to specialize in them and so they tend to have some of the best examples. I don't think I've ever had a Wuyi from them that the roast got in the way of the deeper flavors.

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May 18th, '08, 18:41
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 18th, '08, 18:41

Looks like I'll be making a nice size order of oolongs :)

I'll update with what I actually end up getting...

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May 18th, '08, 18:42
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by ABx » May 18th, '08, 18:42

can't wait :)

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May 18th, '08, 18:50
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by Salsero » May 18th, '08, 18:50

PolyhymnianMuse wrote:I'll update with what I actually end up getting...
Don't forget the tasting impressions after you receive your order!

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May 18th, '08, 20:48
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 18th, '08, 20:48

Of course, I could never leave out letting all of you know how it turns out :)

I'll most likely post them on my blog, and just a little bit of a plug here, the link is in my profile...

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May 18th, '08, 23:10
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by greenisgood » May 18th, '08, 23:10

TeaSource used to have a the best dragonwell I've ever had but otherwise I'd say that I consider them to generally specialize in black tea which I'm personally not as familiar with. But yeah I think their Big Red Robe is really good for the price, and not that I have anything to compare it to but that Nilgiri was really good. As a later flush Darjeeling kinda guy, I really like their Margaret's Hope Atumnal too

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May 19th, '08, 00:59
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by ABx » May 19th, '08, 00:59

Gah, how could I have forgotten?! TeaCuppa's Da Ye is a really good everyday type of tea. It's a Wuyi that's more like a Taiwan high mountain, but with something of a Wuyi texture. It's quite inexpensive and made as an everyday tea. It's a simple tea, but IMO a very satisfying one.

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May 19th, '08, 01:09
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by Salsero » May 19th, '08, 01:09

ABx wrote: TeaCuppa's Da Ye is a really good everyday type of tea.
I second the nomination!

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May 19th, '08, 01:10
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by Victoria » May 19th, '08, 01:10

ABx wrote:Gah, how could I have forgotten?! TeaCuppa's Da Ye is a really good everyday type of tea. It's a Wuyi that's more like a Taiwan high mountain, but with something of a Wuyi texture. It's quite inexpensive and made as an everyday tea. It's a simple tea, but IMO a very satisfying one.
Yup.
:D

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May 20th, '08, 02:17
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 20th, '08, 02:17

So far this is what I got...

Image

What do you think?
Also, I'm curious how this sample thing works with them. Do i just tell them what tea I want a sample of when I order?

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May 21st, '08, 01:05
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 21st, '08, 01:05

I'm also curious about how their tea is beyond oolong. I'v decided to just go ahead and place the 70 dollar order for free shipping so I'll need a few more things to get to that amount.

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