Wednesday TeaDay 11/5/08 "Alishan Election Day"

[Chip]

Welcome everyone to "election day" on TeaChat. Oh, it is TeaDay too, so please share what is in your cup today, all day.

Yesterday, "Ordering Adagio teas brought me to the TeaChat forum" was the top vote getter in very brisk voting. Seems everyone was in a voting mood for some reason. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today, we finally vote for the finalists for the inaugural TC/TCR, TeaChat/Tasting, Comparison, Review. We will be selecting the top 6 of the Alishan that were nominated here previously. So, in today's poll, pick one worthy Alishan. The linked nominations are below as well.

Bonus discussion topic, have you ever simultaneously tasted several different selections of the same type of tea? This is the goal of TC/TCR.

I am as always looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.

Alishan nominations:

1) Tao of Tea AliShan http://www.taooftea.com/detail2389-Ali_Shan.html

2) Adagio Alishan

3) Hou De http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=802

4) SunSing http://www.sunsingtea.com/chi/goods.php?id=140
High Mountain AliShan

5) TeaCuppa's Cui Yu Oolong; http://www.teacuppa.com/Formosa-Cui-Yu-Oolong-Tea.asp

6) Tea From Taiwan Shi Zuo Oolong Tea

7) Tea from Taiwan Four Season Oolong Tea

8.) TeaHome one roasted. Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Golden Lily http://www.teahometw.com/usa/TeahomeEnglishCatalog.htm

9) TeaHome Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Dark Oolong (a roasted selection) http://www.teahometw.com/usa/TeahomeEnglishCatalog.htm

10) SpecialTeas

11) Harney and Sons Ali Shan http://www.harney.com/alisan.html

[Vulture]

*swoops in for first post*

I really don't know Ali Shan's so I went and voted Adagio's

In my cup will be a couple types of Darjeeling in a bit.

[Salsero]

I think the Adagio selection should always be included automatically. Beyond that, it's really hard to choose from so many fine examples.

I have rarely done simultaneous tastings. It's really the only way to truly know any tea ... by comparing it to similar ones. The few times I have done so, it's been a revelation.

No Ali Shan photo today and my last tea of the day was delicious (and cheap!) Golden Sail shu puerh that Omegapd sent me to make up for the awful dirt/wood tea!

In a whole different class is this aged Taiwanese treat. No dirt, no wood. Since it is from Hou De, I decided to cast my vote for the Hou De offering, which sounds a little unusual. It was either that or a roasted Ali Shan, but I will let someone else vote roasted.

[Victoria]

Wow final voting already!! It will be no time at all this this is in full swing!
I am really looking forward to it.

[omegapd]

I agree with Salsero that the Adagio sample should be a given. They let us play here, so they should automatically get a free pass. I think Victoria passed along a sample of the Tao one to me awhile back and I thought it was pretty good. They'll get my vote.

EW

[Trey Winston]

I voted Adagio, but as Salsero writes, they probably should get an automatic inclusion.

I have actually tasted and compared different whites a few times, just out of curiosity. Sure look forward to TCR some Alishans.

Celebratory SN all day today.

[Drax]

Hmmm, yet another coincidence, as I happen to be enjoying Adagio's Ali Shan this morning.

Ditto on the previous comments about Adagio's selections.

I've bought a few teas to do comparisons, but since I'm pretty new, half of them haven't shown up. The only one I've been able to do a comparison on is three versions of gunpowder.

[Victoria]

Oh I agree, as I actually said back on the first poll, I really thought Adagio AliShan was a given.

Since sleep seems to have completely eluded me tonight, I decided to brew up a large pot of said AliShan just for the occasion. Although many of you have tasted this lovely, due to circumstances beyond her control the Oolong Queen had not ... until today. It really is a lovely AliShan, a bit more floral than I was expecting. A beautiful light golden color here in my glass pot. Enjoying it here with a breakfast bagel at 3:00 AM in the morning.

A day of change for our country and for me too it seems.

Have a lovely day everyone!
.

[olivierco]

I voted for Hou de, but as many said, Adagio should be automatically included.

Hibiki-an sencha SP in a few minutes.

[treazure]

My first and only Alishan so far was a sample tin sent to me by a friend. I liked it and will buy a 6 ounce (or is it tin.

Red Rose in my cuppa right now. Good, fresh tea with the additional incentive of a porcelain Wad figurine.

ACK! My teapot is empty. Ta ta for now.

[kongni]

Good luck to all the teas up for nomination!

Farmer's shincha right now

[toastedtoads]

I voted Harney because it's the one I've had, and I really enjoy it. I do think Adagio's should be an automatic in as well.

On a second look I see Tea From Taiwan has a Four Seasons Oolong, and while I have not had that, I did have Ito-En's Four Seasons Oolong which may be my favorite green oolong right now. So buttery and delicious.

I really want to have a back to back sencha tasting with 3-4 different grades/types. Any suggestions?

Oh right, this morning in my cup is OJ. I just got my new koi cups in from DTH, so I'll have to brew up some tea soon.

[Smari]

Voted Adagio's alishan.

Having mango green decaf, bleh. I want my real teas soon And the smell of strongly brewed coffee from the next cubicle is making me sick to my tummy...

*sobs*

[geeber1]

I agree that Adagio should always be included. If enough people vote for another vendor, is there a chance that Adagio's will be eliminated?

[Victoria]

I agree that Adagio should always be included. If enough people vote for another vendor, is there a chance that Adagio's will be eliminated?

I believe you are correct. But I doubt that would happen.

I caught a little more sleep and I'm up for the morning with a nice
2nd steep of Adagio Ali Shan.