Where's your oolong from?

[yukondoit]

Where's your oolong from?

by yukondoit » Dec 3rd, '07, 08:41

I'm getting more into non-black varieties and often I find green tea a little weak and sometimes too bitter for my taste.

I have two oolong varieties I enjoy thus far -- one by Jade Mountain (http://www.jademountaintea.net/tea_season.html), and one by Serendipitea -- peach oolong -- but I'm wondering where all of you oolong fans buy your favorites? And which added flavors do you think go best with oolong?

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Dec 3rd, '07, 16:33

Added flavors don't go well with any tea

I get my Qi lan from Rishi teas, thats my main oolong right now.

But on the subject of green tea, you may have just been subject to the horrors of starting with Chinese greens. Chinese green tea is very light, and before dismissing all greens as being light, try your hand at a deep-steamed fukamushi blend of Japanese green tea. The Sencha fuka-midori from Den't tea would be a good, cheap choice for this.
If your green tea is turning out bitter, then you simply need to either reduce the temperature of the water you're using, or reduce the amount of time you steep the leaf. If steeped right, green tea should be mostly sweet, with a slight astringency if desired.

[Chip]

by Chip » Dec 3rd, '07, 16:39

Peach, osmanthus, jasmine...but not in my oolong. Great oolong is mesmerizing all on its own.

But honestly, drink what you like and like what you drink. (borrowed from wine drinkers I think)

[hop_goblin]

by hop_goblin » Dec 3rd, '07, 17:03

Most of my oolongs come from Houde. He has one of the best selections of artisian oolongs on the net. Good stuff

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Dec 3rd, '07, 18:04

Thats Hou De, for clarification.

[hop_goblin]

by hop_goblin » Dec 3rd, '07, 18:28

Thats Hou De, for clarification.

Yeah Yeah Yeah! hahah

[Space Samurai]

by Space Samurai » Dec 3rd, '07, 18:45

I get most of mine from Tea Spring. They have a good variety and wonderful sample prices.

[tenuki]

by tenuki » Dec 4th, '07, 02:04

I would second Hou De - never got a bad tea from them.

I also buy from teahome (an ebay store direct from taiwan).

but all my oolongs come from taiwan high mountain regions. mnnnnnmmm.

[Libertatis]

by Libertatis » Jan 11th, '08, 19:55

I will third Hou De, i buy most of my expensive oolongs from them (Ali Shan, Li Shan, etc). They have fantastic quality.

that being said there are many cheaper places to get other green teas. Adagio is one fine example

[Victoria]

by Victoria » Jan 11th, '08, 20:24

TeaCuppa has a huge oolong menu and they ship direct from China. Very good service.