Just in case any of you is interested how the official competition tea of the Lugu's farmer association looks like...
Father in law gave me this box which he was gifted in turn: this years competition N.2! First place is usually auctioned and normally not affordable nor is it probably money for value, too hyped.
This 2nd place is still expensive for Taiwan, but probably not so much compared to what people outside of Taiwan pay.
Looking forward to open it and compare with my other Dong Ding's.
Dong Ding competition tea 2017
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Re: Dong Ding competition tea 2017
More pics, also of the hidden seal which indicates that it is real (only visible after taking of the plastic wrapper.
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Re: Dong Ding competition tea 2017
Another word about the competition. Lugus farmer associations competition is the most prestigious and famous one in Taiwan. Dong Ding being the first famous tea from Taiwan, before the Gaoshan craze.
Re: Dong Ding competition tea 2017
So… finally got round to open one of the cans. Too dark to take decent pictures so words will have to suffice.
Its a metal sealed tin, so you need to cut through it to open it. What always surprised me that those expensive competition teas often come in this kind of tin without further vacuum wrapping, they kind of float in there. Guess it is not an issue with roasted/more oxidised teas, and competition teas are always in Taiwan. It is a requirement, alongside the removal of any stems (which can then be separately purchased as stem tea – very cheap and not bad at all!).
First impression, a nice fragrant whiff coming out of the tin. Elegant I might say. Something else going on which I can’t describe if I take a really deep inhale.
Brewed the tea on two occasions for better judgement. It has everything that I would except from a Dong-Ding style tea – but in a much more refined and again, elegant way for lack of a better description. None of the dirty ruggedness so many of "Dong Ding” have. First three infusions have that little extra flavor that was hinted at when I smelled it, dissapears afterwards. Not distracting roast flavours, does not get bitter even when I push it.
From the throatfeel I suspect that this one might not be a true Dong Ding, but grown at higher elevation. Also probably not charcoal roasted.
All in all very decent, high quality, but not exactly as I would expect a competition winner to taste like. Compared to our friend Chen HY’s it lacks originalty. Smoother than Chen’s but with less character and for a lot more money!
Its a metal sealed tin, so you need to cut through it to open it. What always surprised me that those expensive competition teas often come in this kind of tin without further vacuum wrapping, they kind of float in there. Guess it is not an issue with roasted/more oxidised teas, and competition teas are always in Taiwan. It is a requirement, alongside the removal of any stems (which can then be separately purchased as stem tea – very cheap and not bad at all!).
First impression, a nice fragrant whiff coming out of the tin. Elegant I might say. Something else going on which I can’t describe if I take a really deep inhale.
Brewed the tea on two occasions for better judgement. It has everything that I would except from a Dong-Ding style tea – but in a much more refined and again, elegant way for lack of a better description. None of the dirty ruggedness so many of "Dong Ding” have. First three infusions have that little extra flavor that was hinted at when I smelled it, dissapears afterwards. Not distracting roast flavours, does not get bitter even when I push it.
From the throatfeel I suspect that this one might not be a true Dong Ding, but grown at higher elevation. Also probably not charcoal roasted.
All in all very decent, high quality, but not exactly as I would expect a competition winner to taste like. Compared to our friend Chen HY’s it lacks originalty. Smoother than Chen’s but with less character and for a lot more money!