Da Yi Gong Tuo: http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/pro ... oduct=1180
V93 Ripe: http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/pro ... oduct=1110
I susptected right away that the Gong Tuo was a dressed up V93 ripe tuo... The tuo look the same (color, leaf grade, compression) and smells the same. Same nei fei. Today I tasetd both. They brew similar color and smell, and the taste is simiar if not the same. My bet is these come right off the same press and into different packaging. The V93, while it doesn't come with the cool fancy box, is heck of a lot cheaper (Just over three bucks a tuo compared to 5+ bucks for the Gong Tuo.) They are both wonderful examples of shu, at least IMHO.
So I'm sticking with the cheaper V93 for my daily use, thank you. Perhaps for a gift, the Gong Tuo is woth the extra.
Anyone else notice this? Anyone disagree, think I'm off base on this?
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
both are plantation tea bush, and have undergone rather "light" fermentation. if you have the 2009 versions, then the wo dui is still present in both, and that flavor (and smell) is similar so this might explain you feel they are, if not the same, at least very similar.
maybe you could try to do this:
aerate each for one day or two (the gong tuo outside its box, which is imo not a good idea to keep btw because it is impregnated with the wo dui smell). the smell will have faded. then you brew side by side. to brew, you rince twice:
-first rinse with warm water, around 40s (or with room temp water for one mn)
-second rinse with hot water, quicker (15s).
The aeration plus the rinse will make the wo dui flavor fade, so you get the character of the products more distinctly. maybe don't brew too short, and try to push on time.
But anyway, they are close to each other, you are right.
tip:
try a bulang ripe sample at jkteashop (peak pu er page): really interesting, if you like shu cha it is a good experience. sold out as cake at jk but you can find it at jas-eteas (with some markup though), who has bought teas from jk.
maybe you could try to do this:
aerate each for one day or two (the gong tuo outside its box, which is imo not a good idea to keep btw because it is impregnated with the wo dui smell). the smell will have faded. then you brew side by side. to brew, you rince twice:
-first rinse with warm water, around 40s (or with room temp water for one mn)
-second rinse with hot water, quicker (15s).
The aeration plus the rinse will make the wo dui flavor fade, so you get the character of the products more distinctly. maybe don't brew too short, and try to push on time.
But anyway, they are close to each other, you are right.
tip:
try a bulang ripe sample at jkteashop (peak pu er page): really interesting, if you like shu cha it is a good experience. sold out as cake at jk but you can find it at jas-eteas (with some markup though), who has bought teas from jk.
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
V93 is a totally different tea.Its more rough and need to be kept 2 to 3 years more to dring.
But the Gong Tuo is smooth and taste like a cooked tea that has been kept a few years.Its a nice tea.For me the 2010 taste better than the 2009.
But the Gong Tuo is smooth and taste like a cooked tea that has been kept a few years.Its a nice tea.For me the 2010 taste better than the 2009.
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
I tasted both yesterday one after the other.
2010 - Gong Tuo Ripe
2010 - v93
Gong Tuo is much stronger, thicker and smoother than V93.
There is an obvious difference between both and I think it justify the price difference. Gong Tuo tasted higher grade. But somehow I felt Gong Tuo is a little too strong for my preference. V93 was a better choice.
2010 - Gong Tuo Ripe
2010 - v93
Gong Tuo is much stronger, thicker and smoother than V93.
There is an obvious difference between both and I think it justify the price difference. Gong Tuo tasted higher grade. But somehow I felt Gong Tuo is a little too strong for my preference. V93 was a better choice.
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
Okay, I tasted the 2009 versions side by side today and I still think they are the same. Maybe it's just me.
Thanks for the responses. We are tackling some of life's most important questions here.
Thanks for the responses. We are tackling some of life's most important questions here.
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
One things for certain: I have a pretty good buzz going after the 4th infusion of this taste test!zeusmta wrote:Okay, I tasted the 2009 versions side by side today and I still think they are the same. Maybe it's just me.
Thanks for the responses. We are tackling some of life's most important questions here.
Re: Dayi Gong Tuo Ripe Repackaged V93 Ripe?
have 2009 versions of the same. Couldn't possibly confuse the two. Much easier to confuse v93 with Hong Yun or something like that.
