Official what Oolong are You Drinking Right Now?

[BioHorn]

OOLONG SURPRISE:
Jipin (?) Anxi Oolong.
Found this tucked away from some old purchases. I remember it was not expensive. I did not have high hopes. Had not looked at it since moving. It was from 1995 or 1997.
Decided to pack a pot as full as possible.

It is rendering puckery cocoa nibs right now. It is coming smooth to a nice balance now after about 5-6 brews.

The leaf was quite small.


Package pics:




Five days and many nice infusions later (sorry it is a bit messy):

[Herb_Master]

OOLONG SURPRISE:
Jipin (?) Anxi Oolong.

High Density Packing
Can be at times a waste of leaf at other times it reveals a treasure trove of complexity that is simply not found with a lighter approach

Have you decided whether your next brew with your Jipin will follow the high road or the low road?

[BioHorn]

High Density Packing
Can be at times a waste of leaf at other times it reveals a treasure trove of complexity that is simply not found with a lighter approach

Have you decided whether your next brew with your Jipin will follow the high road or the low road?

Definitely the high road. It has made for quite an intense yet pleasant experience. You are correct. There are elements in this tea I would have otherwise never have enjoyed. I might use this one as an experiment for extreme crushing/ even more intensification.

This is, however, not something I will be doing right now for daily drinking. I am feeling a bit buzzed right now.

It is great finding cheap tea that brews nicely packed.

[guitar9876]

Been drinking Norbu's Tie Luo Han and Shui Xian a lot this past couple of weeks. Very Pleased!

[the_economist]

Well roasted DHP. Makes you hot and sweaty.

[brandon]

Tie Luo Han today.

(link fixed for the all seeing Chip-god)

[Cole]

Is that your silver-tipped pot you mentioned on your blog, Brandon?

Exquisite photography, as always!

[MIKE_B]

2010 Da Hong Pao from Seven Cups.
Holding up after 6 steeps. #3,4,and5 seemed a little bitter. Very broken leaf. Not awful but I probably won't buy it again.

[Herb_Master]

Hojo Phoenix Oolong Ba Xian, 3.5 grams in one of Imen's CZ 100ml pots.

Delightful

But the best part was drinking it from an Eiichi Firewood Fired Guinomi.

White straw-ashes glaze is covered over the clay having contained many natural rough sand.

Sacrilege, I know, but I think I prefer this to Hagi

[MIKE_B]

An aged DanCong sampler I ordered from TeaHabitat arrived today.
I am starting with the oldest first. 1978 Wild Hong Yin.
Brewing "semi-gongfu". 5g in a 190ml kyusu.
1st infusion of 35 seconds was nice but too weak. Not much aroma at all. A little sweet, no bitterness.
2nd infusion of 45 seconds was much the sames a the first. A little more floral. Still weak.
3rd infusion I decided to go long. 90 seconds. Finishing the cup now. Very strong. Earthy. As the tea cools a strong medicinal taste is in the back of my throat and tongue. Super astringent without being bitter. Ridiculously strong, lasting aftertaste that really isn't all together pleasant.
Off to try infusion 4. I am going to have to pull this one back a bit. Maybe drink something to wash this last cup out of my mouth.
Sorry that my descriptions aren't the best. Learning....

[Chip]

Hojo Phoenix Oolong Ba Xian, 3.5 grams in one of Imen's CZ 100ml pots.

Delightful

But the best part was drinking it from an Eiichi Firewood Fired Guinomi.

White straw-ashes glaze is covered over the clay having contained many natural rough sand.

Sacrilege, I know, but I think I prefer this to Hagi

Eiichi's works are Hagi? He is Shibuya Deishi's grandson. Or am I misunderstanding you?

Or is this another Eiichi. Eiichi has been doing wood-fired straw-ash glaze.

The greatness of his works belies his youth.

[tenuki]

Some toasty taiwanese wu yi from FLT, last years. still a great tea for the price.

[Herb_Master]

The same Eiichi, Chip, you are right, the title now I re-read Mago's description does say Hagi.

It did not feel like any of the Seigan Hagi that I have, once I started using it, and homed in on Mago's detailed description without spotting the name Hagi in the title.

[Chip]

The same Eiichi, Chip, you are right, the title now I re-read Mago's description does say Hagi.

It did not feel like any of the Seigan Hagi that I have, once I started using it, and homed in on Mago's detailed description without spotting the name Hagi in the title.

Excellent. Eiichi is also building a TC following. Justifyably so. I have yet to purchase a wood fired Eiichi, but certainly will be ... (and may do a wood-fired SO).

[BioHorn]

Yancha
heavy fire Spring 2010 "Da Hong Pao" sample ($2)
From Aaron at Deren Tea.
7g in a 50 ml pot
The dry leaf had a very nice rich aroma.
carbon nibs
I got to brew #5 or so and have yet to get beyond the rough opening. Have had darker. Let's see how this plays out this week. On first impression I would like to let this sit for a few years and then revisit.









No idea if these are the kinds of photos people want to see...