Fall vs Spring

[Trioxin]

Just wondering everyones opinion on fall and spring harvests. Educate me.

[Fatman2]

One more to add...... summer too.

[engar]

Educate us

[puerhking]

I believe it has to do with the way things grow in general. Spring growth usually is more vigorous as the plant stores vital nutrients over the winter. Subsequent flushes will have less especially fall as that ends the major growth cycles. Therefore spring teas will be more consentrated and ageworthy and fall will be the least ageworthy in general. It follows that fall teas would not have as great a range of flavors....in general.

[shogun89]

Spring will usually result in a more robust tea full of flavor and complexities. Fall seems to be much more mellow and smooth, so a drink now maybe.

[Salsero]

I might be all wrong, but I have the vague impression that a lot of the spring shengs I have had are light and drinkable now, rather than complex and age worthy. Darjeeling sort of works that way.

[hop_goblin]

I believe it has to do with the way things grow in general. Spring growth usually is more vigorous as the plant stores vital nutrients over the winter. Subsequent flushes will have less especially fall as that ends the major growth cycles. Therefore spring teas will be more consentrated and ageworthy and fall will be the least ageworthy in general. It follows that fall teas would not have as great a range of flavors....in general.

Great Analysis PK! Exactly. Fall leaves are generally much larger in size.

[Trioxin]

Thanks for the replies. Does the harvest influence your buying, or is it not that big of a deal?

[shogun89]

Thanks for the replies. Does the harvest influence your buying, or is it not that big of a deal?

I usually tend to go for spring due to a stronger more complex flavor.

[puerhking]

I believe it has to do with the way things grow in general. Spring growth usually is more vigorous as the plant stores vital nutrients over the winter. Subsequent flushes will have less especially fall as that ends the major growth cycles. Therefore spring teas will be more consentrated and ageworthy and fall will be the least ageworthy in general. It follows that fall teas would not have as great a range of flavors....in general.

Great Analysis PK! Exactly. Fall leaves are generally much larger in size.

Thanks hop. I was bound to get something right sooner or later!

Thanks for the replies. Does the harvest influence your buying, or is it not that big of a deal?

I have a number of fall cakes that I really like but I don't know how they will age. I don't expect them to have as long a life as my spring cakes. So if you want it for drinking now I would at least try a fall cake. The Yuan Nian cakes are cheap at YSLLC and certanly worth a look.