I ordered a sample of Adagio's white to try up against my Tao of Tea white. Adagio's is a Fujian tea, and ToT is from Hunnan province. I don't get too excited about the "where" in most cases. Possibly this stems from my PacNW roots where we produce some fabulous sparkling wines that cannot be called "champagne" due to the location, (and other wines too.) IMO, location produced does not necessarily indicate lower quality.
ToT gets $3.50/oz, Adagio's is $7/oz.
Brewing:
2g/4oz in glass, 2 minutes.
variables: ToT is not as fresh, it has been in my cupboard for ~ 6 weeks, airtight of course. Adagio sample came today.
Leaves:
Adiago's has more fur, when brewed the leaves end very mushy, and easily smushes into bits with handling. ToT is a drier leaf, but the brewed leaf has more integrity, stands up to examination and seems almost freshly picked.
(ToT left, Adagio right)
Tea:
ToT left, Adagio right
Color differences aside, the ToT has a lighter floral fragrance, a little bit like lilacs or honeysuckle or maybe white clover. The taste of that fragrance lingers for a second after tasting. Adagio's sample has a little more body (for a white,) and the taste is slightly more honeyed with a more lingering aftertaste. It has a sweeter fragrance, but less wildflower, more hothouse flower. Very slightly astringent aftertaste.
Strange note: I get a slight impression of Crayola with the Adagio. It's not offensive, just a little weird.
Overall impression: Unless these were side-by-side, I don't know if I would notice a difference. Certainly there was nothing displeasing about either tea. I would drink either often (and do drink the ToT regularly.) Given that fact, the cost differential becomes much more significant with ToT's version, Hunnan though it is, being 1/2 the price. Coupled with the fact that I can pay a visit to my local leaf room and pick up ToT's version, well... you know my choice.
I'm looking forward to trying this from other vendors as I venture into the black hole of online tea purchases.
