Okay, I went back several pages to make sure this wasn't already discussed... With the new harvests upon us, has anyone gotten to try any Korean green tea yet? Ujeon? Saejak?
I just received the order from o5Tea (formerly Dao Tea) of the 2012 Kim Jong Yeol saejak, and am quite excited about it - especially after reading Matt from Mattcha's blog review of it - am interested in comparing tasting notes with him.
Any other experiences?
Jess K.
Aug 14th, '12, 18:07
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Re: 2012 Korean Greens
I am sad to say this is the first summer in three years that I did not get an order of Korean Greens. I need to see where my budget falls for August so an order might be in the works. But definitely post your notes when you try them! I look forward to seeing what you think.
Aug 15th, '12, 06:06
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Re: 2012 Korean Greens
Lerxst2112 wrote:the 2012 Kim Jong Yeol saejak
A local shop has his tea too, I bought it, have brewed it a few times and have had interesting results. A very mixed bag, but this is a very strong tea-as in it has powerful effects on me.
Re: 2012 Korean Greens
I am ashamed to admit that I have never had any korean tea, I would like some recomendations of good korean teas and vendors which sell them.
Re: 2012 Korean Greens
This harvest is considered very good. However, the prices for ujeon grade teas have gone up. Politics, economics, & marketing are driving these teas into a place that I can't understand. For myself, the delicacy and overall enjoyment of ujeon doesn't compute with the price being sold for. I've always felt the sejak grades offer more accessibility and enjoyment but are far from inexpensive. It's often a real hit or miss experience buying Korean teas without sampling. I also wind up using much more leaf than Koreans normally brew with. To date, the best teas I've had from Korea have been the balhyocha, or huangcha as it is also called. So much flavor to be had. There are excellent ones made from sejak grade.
Also, we are seeing more black teas, some are very good using wild tea. But, overall, Korean teas are not inexpensive and they don't offer the range in flavor and style that Chinese teas have. The sheer abundance of Chinese tea is staggering. It might be better to settle on a type of Korean tea that you like and stick with that type. My choice has been balhyocha and there are many to choose from.
Also, we are seeing more black teas, some are very good using wild tea. But, overall, Korean teas are not inexpensive and they don't offer the range in flavor and style that Chinese teas have. The sheer abundance of Chinese tea is staggering. It might be better to settle on a type of Korean tea that you like and stick with that type. My choice has been balhyocha and there are many to choose from.
Re: 2012 Korean Greens
This thread inspired me to visit the o5 Tea website. They offer samples of all their teas, or at least all the Korean teas, so I ordered all 4. They're all from the same grower, Kim Jong Yeol, that Lersxt mentioned, and 3 of the 4 are the balhyocha, that Tead Off mentioned.
The Dao tea website is still up with no pointer to o5.
The Dao tea website is still up with no pointer to o5.
Re: 2012 Korean Greens
I met Mr. Kim in Korea last year. His Sunrise balhyocha is outstanding. Please let us know how you like the other teas from him.JRS22 wrote:This thread inspired me to visit the o5 Tea website. They offer samples of all their teas, or at least all the Korean teas, so I ordered all 4. They're all from the same grower, Kim Jong Yeol, that Lersxt mentioned, and 3 of the 4 are the balhyocha, that Tead Off mentioned.
The Dao tea website is still up with no pointer to o5.