Chinese greens from last year

Made from leaves that have not been oxidized.


Mar 13th, '13, 08:06
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Chinese greens from last year

by thirst » Mar 13th, '13, 08:06

So, I think I want to buy some Chinese greens online from Teaspring this or next month (probably next).
In another thread, Chip commended how well the Japanese preserve theirs. Would it be advisable to wait until this year’s Chinese greens have been harvested? Teaspring currently has two greens from this year, though they’re probably not what I want to try first.
Maybe this sounds stupid, but is it worth waiting – how fast do they usually roll out the new batches? I imagine they’d want to sell off last year’s batch first. (The local teashops here certainly don't tell (unless you ask them) from what year/month their tea is, and I've never bought teas by season.)

On a side note, found a harvest time diagram here:
http://www.tching.com/2011/02/chinese-tea-harvests/

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Mar 13th, '13, 09:08
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by Joel Byron » Mar 13th, '13, 09:08

Yes, you should wait. :D I treat tea, especially Chinese greens, as a seasonal beverage for the most part. I've been drinking oolongs and puerh lately and am waiting patiently for the new greens to appear. Some vendors discount the older teas when the new ones come out, so sometimes I'll buy a small amount of a tea I've never tried just to check it out.

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Mar 13th, '13, 12:11
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by Chip » Mar 13th, '13, 12:11

+1, wait for new harvest Chinese greens. Some do age OK, but most are best when uber fresh.

Mar 14th, '13, 16:29
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by thirst » Mar 14th, '13, 16:29

Thanks for your replies, guys.
Maybe I’ll order some of their oolongs or black teas if I'm getting too impatient? :mrgreen:


(Teaspring's Biluochun Hongcha
http://www.teaspring.com/Bi-Luo-Chun-Hong-Cha.asp
looks like Teegschwendner’s China Yunnan Golden Downy Pekoe
http://shop.tgtea.com/store/product/508 ... wny-Pekoe/
that I drink a lot…)

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Mar 14th, '13, 21:49
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by Joel Byron » Mar 14th, '13, 21:49

If you do order some other kinds of tea, consider ordering a sample of a green from last year. When the new ones come out you can compare. Then you will really know for sure!

Mar 15th, '13, 06:23
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by thirst » Mar 15th, '13, 06:23

Ooh, excellent idea!
Though I guess different greens also keep well differently, e.g. those with more roast? (Just wildly guessing.)

Mar 15th, '13, 07:20
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by thirst » Mar 15th, '13, 07:20

Hm, though from looking at their two greens that are from this year, it doesn’t seem like Teaspring still offer the same from last year… or maybe they already ran out?

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Mar 15th, '13, 09:54
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by Joel Byron » Mar 15th, '13, 09:54

Those teas, while I've never had them, look like they are made from small buds. They are made from the newest growth, hence the "first flush" designation.

You may have to wait a bit longer for the more well known teas like Dragonwell and Bilochun to come on the market to try the old tea vs new tea test. The more popular teas are made and bought in larger quantities so there is usually some left at the beginning of the new season.

Mar 15th, '13, 15:21
Posts: 156
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Re: Chinese greens from last year

by thirst » Mar 15th, '13, 15:21

Ah, alright. Thanks again!

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