Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

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Aug 9th, '12, 16:25

Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 9th, '12, 16:25

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:32, edited 1 time in total.

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Aug 9th, '12, 17:21
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Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by Chip » Aug 9th, '12, 17:21

Welcome RoseWood to TeaChat!

First bit of advice is to not judge a type of tea based on tastings from Upton. With possible exceptions being Indian blacks which they do a respectable job.

They inventory way too many teas for all of them to be fresh, especially all greens ... IMHO.

But Upton was a big stepping stone for me in my early days, but since moving on I have never looked back.

Aug 9th, '12, 21:01

Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 9th, '12, 21:01

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:34, edited 1 time in total.

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Aug 10th, '12, 11:47
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Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by Lerxst2112 » Aug 10th, '12, 11:47

Aww, my heart fell when I read that about the Chinese green tea. My advice - get it fresh! the 2012s were excellent, and I went through Tea Spring, Norbu, and Yunnan Sourcing US for mine. I recommend another go with fresh greens next time.

Your observations are normal. As your tastes develop, and you become more in tune, you'll find a bell curve. Most tea is middle of the road, some is stellar, and some is just shit.

I wouldn't necessarily base opinion on what was experienced just with one vendor. Get samples from lots of vendors - that way you have a broad spectrum. Maybe even get the same tea from different vendors (especially helpful with pu-erh, as different distributors store their tea differently - which affects flavor).

Good luck with your search, and welcome to the forum!
Peace, love, 'n tea -
Jess

Aug 10th, '12, 14:16

Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 10th, '12, 14:16

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:35, edited 1 time in total.

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Aug 10th, '12, 16:25
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Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by debunix » Aug 10th, '12, 16:25

I would urge you to give chinese greens another chance, but before you do, figure out how to get consistent temperature control in your brewing. Whether you use a glass tea kettle and learn to judge temp by bubble size, or use a digital thermometer, or pour water back and forth x number of times between two vessels, you have to control temperature to avoid bitterness with most green teas, whether they start out as good, not so good, or indifferent.

Aug 10th, '12, 21:19

Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 10th, '12, 21:19

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:38, edited 1 time in total.

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Aug 10th, '12, 21:37
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Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by debunix » Aug 10th, '12, 21:37

Whites are often less astringent/bitter than greens, and may tolerate hot brewing better.

I'd doubt that upton is selling utterly undrinkable greens, and bet that the right brewing can make them at least mildly pleasing.

Aug 11th, '12, 07:09

Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 11th, '12, 07:09

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:39, edited 1 time in total.

Aug 20th, '12, 16:38

Re: Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by RoseWood » Aug 20th, '12, 16:38

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Last edited by RoseWood on Sep 24th, '12, 21:40, edited 1 time in total.

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Aug 20th, '12, 20:54
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Hello all, just thought I'd introduce myself...

by debunix » Aug 20th, '12, 20:54

Yay!

And BTW, gunpowder greens are rarely great teas. If you can enjoy a gunpowder green, you can probably love some of the nicer ones!

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