I am going shopping at Hou De...

[RussianSoul]

I am going shopping at Hou De...

by RussianSoul » Jun 11th, '08, 17:51

I am planning an order from Hou De because I want to try their Li-Shan Da Yu Ling.

What else should I get while at it?

[towerofdabble]

by towerofdabble » Jun 11th, '08, 18:02

If you like a slightly darker Oolong, I would strongly recommend their Fo Shou. Their 2008 Nantou Dong Ding is also very nice, a bit more roasted than most, and a great buy at their price. And it's not Oolong, but if you like red tea, their Yunnan gold is excellent!

Last edited by towerofdabble on Jun 11th, '08, 18:08, edited 1 time in total.

[Photiou]

by Photiou » Jun 11th, '08, 18:04

I would try their aged puerh samples.

[Mary R]

by Mary R » Jun 11th, '08, 18:06

I've had my eye on the Li-Shan "Tsui Feng" soft-stem. If I do that, I was thinking about getting the A-Li-Shan "Winter Petals" soft-stem, too. I kinda want to get an idea of the differences between the two harvests. Oooh...and I want the NanTou. Yummy.

Ugh...now I've got to do something to keep me from reaching for my Visa. Mmm! Editing my writing students' stuff should make me adequately miserable!

[Victoria]

by Victoria » Jun 11th, '08, 18:08

Get one of the early spring harvests while they are fresh!
2008 Spring Awarded (#970127) Shan-Li-Shi Chin Shin Oolong
Looks good to me!

[towerofdabble]

by towerofdabble » Jun 11th, '08, 18:13

I want to hear how you like that Li-Shan Da Yu Ling!

Some of the best teas I have had came from Hou De, but I will mention that this Taiwan sampler from DTH is 200g of 4 types of tea -- I was very impressed by the quality. They are all roasted fairly similarly and I found the differences between the 4 fairly subtle, but very interesting.

[RussianSoul]

by RussianSoul » Jun 11th, '08, 19:16

My shopping list so far:

2008 Spring Li-Shan "Da Yu Ling" Soft-stem Oolong
2008 NanTou Oolong, Dong-Ding
2008 Spring Li-Shan "Tsui Feng"
2008 A-Li-Shan "Winter Petals"
2008 Spring Awarded (#970127) Shan-Li-Shi Chin Shin
2007 Spring Formosa "Fo Shou (Budda's Hand)"

I have a question about Fo Shou. Is it heavily roasted? I tried several heavily roasted wuyi’s and couldn’t taste much but charcoal, which was disappointing.

I would try their aged puerh samples.

Photiou, I’d love to get a couple of aged sheng samples, but I don’t know which to get. My experience with puerh was entirely negative so far. Can you throw some specific names at me?

[Photiou]

by Photiou » Jun 11th, '08, 19:25

I would try their aged puerh samples.

Photiou, I’d love to get a couple of aged sheng samples, but I don’t know which to get. My experience with puerh was entirely negative so far. Can you throw some specific names at me?

I am sorry but I can not help you on this. I am not a puerh drinker myself, thats why I would order some samples (randomly).

I have tried sample of their 80's puerh (can't remember the name) and 2006 memorial cake sample - 80's aged puerh was much better (I only got watery first infusion and bitter second infusion out of the memorial cake sample).

[Victoria]

by Victoria » Jun 11th, '08, 19:30

The Sun-dried Mao Cha is nice

[towerofdabble]

by towerofdabble » Jun 11th, '08, 19:33

Russian Soul,

The Fo Shou is roasted darker than your typical rolled Formosa oolong, but it's not like the dark-roasted Wuyis, and I don't taste charcoal at all. Honey, caramel, yes, but not charcoal. I will need more of the Fo Shou before long: if you don't like the Fo Shou I will buy it from you at full cost or trade a nice Jade Oolong!

[RussianSoul]

by RussianSoul » Jun 11th, '08, 19:44

I just put these 6 oolongs in the cart, and they came up to $127! Oy!

I don't think I can swing it all at once, it may have to be 2 orders. Unless someone wants to partner with me. Have scales, will divide fairly...

Towerofdabble? Anyone?

[towerofdabble]

by towerofdabble » Jun 11th, '08, 21:03

Wow, I would love to. But I have too much tea right now and more on the way.

I am drinking it as fast as I can! Thanks anyhow. Seriously though if you get either the Dong Ding or Fo Shou and decide they're not for you, I will take any or all of those two off your hands.

[britt]

by britt » Jun 21st, '08, 10:30

My shopping list so far:

2008 Spring Li-Shan "Da Yu Ling" Soft-stem Oolong
....
2008 Spring Li-Shan "Tsui Feng"
2008 A-Li-Shan "Winter Petals"
....
2007 Spring Formosa "Fo Shou (Budda's Hand)".

The ones I left on your list are ones I've tried at least twice each. I am very happy with all of them and with Hou De overall.

Be careful with the three lighter oolongs; they are very sensitive to the brewing vessel used. If you do them in an Yixing and aren't happy with the results, try brewing some in a thin, light porcelain gaiwan or cup.

I have a question about Fo Shou. Is it heavily roasted? I tried several heavily roasted wuyi’s and couldn’t taste much but charcoal, which was disappointing.

Hou De's Fou Sho is 25% fermented and high-fire roasted. It doesn't have any charcoal taste to me. Neither do Hou De's Wu Yi oolongs that I have tried. I found them all to be very smooth. Rou Gai from Hou De is one of my favorites. Were the ones that gave you trouble from Hou De or another vendor?

[RussianSoul]

by RussianSoul » Jun 21st, '08, 11:07

Thank you for your thoughtful comments, britt!

I have saved your shortened list and will go shopping soon, but not right now. I am waiting for the Wondrous Oolong Box and will probably have enough new oolongs to keep me busy for a short while. After that I will go shopping.

Rou Gai from Hou De is one of my favorites. Were the ones that gave you trouble from Hou De or another vendor?

The charcoal tasting wuyi's were from Tea Spring. Not really trouble, just too much charcoal.

[edkrueger]

by edkrueger » Jul 4th, '08, 22:21

If you listen to everyone opinion on what to get you'll end up buying everything!
You should buy all of the Yixing while you are at it