Premium vs Imperial--the Difference?

[tea fish]

Hi all! I need me some more tea wisdom (and banter, if the spirit moves you). Today's question is: is there a describable difference between Premium and Imperial oolongs? I tried a premium Rou Gui in a sampler and liked it, so I purchased the imperial Rou Gui, thinking that the imperial would be longer-lasting and even more aromatic, if that's possible. As it turns out, the imperial strikes me as less sweet than the premium and not really any longer lasting. That's my impression, anyway, and no doubt that impression has a lot to do with how I brew (which is pretty standard--multi infusions in a gaiwan, starting at about 15 s for the first infusion). Anyway, basically I assumed that the more expensive tea would be tastier and longer-lasting than the less expensive tea, but that isn't quite what happened. It's of course entirely possible that my palate just isn't up to the imperial yet...that I do not yet have an imperial palate! In any case, do any of you have some idea of the qualities that make a particular tea "imperial" rather than "premium" or vice versa? And what is the hierarchy anyway? Is it standardized? Is there some hierarchy beginning with commercial and ending with imperial? Or is this vocabulary more idiosyncratic, specific to particular vendors?

[Chip]

Often such classifications are added by vendors to market their teas. One vendo may use adjectives as superior, supreme, super premium, etc. Others may go for more royal terminology as imperial, emperor.

Makes buying tea a challenge. I found long ago with domestic USA vendors that it simply means more expensive and not always better.

And of course, there is rarely a unified nomenclature from vendor to vendor ...

[ABx]

I assume you're speaking of Seven Cups' Rou Gui, because "Premium" and "Imperial" are not industry standards, although Seven Cups uses them to differentiate quality in their store.

I thought pretty much the same until I actually used enough leaf. You want to have some bits in there and fill the gaiwan with dry leaf. If you can't bear to part with that much leaf in one session then only fill the gaiwan as far as the leaf that you do put in. When brewed right, the difference is pretty clear.

[tenuki]

ya, what ABx said.

[tea fish]

Thanks, all, for the replies. ABx, I am indeed referring to oolong from Seven Cups. I tried using more leaf as you suggested and got a more interesting and long-lasting brew, tho I still need to play with brewing parameters, I think. How long do you brew infusions 1-3 when you use more leaf? I was finding that 10 sec was too long. What's the shortest time you've brewed? I ended up diluting a couple of too strong infusions, which I couldn't bear to drink straight or to throw out, but doing so felt like total gong fu heresy. Does anybody else ever do this when experimenting with a new tea? (Or, put differently: will anybody admit to having done this?)

[Chip]

I ended up diluting a couple of too strong infusions, which I couldn't bear to drink straight or to throw out, but doing so felt like total gong fu heresy. Does anybody else ever do this when experimenting with a new tea? (Or, put differently: will anybody admit to having done this?)

Most definitely. I have done this pretty many times, particularly with a new tea as I am trying to figure it out, or one that I have little of. Or one that is $$$.

IMHO, to toss the brew when it is easily fixable is carrying tradition too far, too extreme. To be able to redeem a mistake is honorable.

[tea fish]

IMHO, to toss the brew when it is easily fixable is carrying tradition too far, too extreme. To be able to redeem a mistake is honorable.

Aw, Chip, thanks for making me feel like less of a tea rube. Nice to hear I'm not the only one who does it, otherwise I'd need to start a tea schism or something.

[entropyembrace]

Yep if I totally mess up an infusion I'll dump it down the sink...yesterday forgot a pot of Darjeeling while eating dinner...it was way to bitter and astringent to drink so I poured it in the skink and made a second infusion that turned out much better.

It wasn't a waste of leaves at least.