There was a big scandal some time back where Taiwanese were selling SE Asian oolong as being made in Taiwan. Also, what was thought to be organic here SE Asia contained some nasty pesticides that are used in citrus production. So much funny business going on to make a buck. The good thing is that Taiwan usually has high standards and teas are tested regularly but no place is exempt from corruption.cindyt wrote:I love this answer! Possible, there are a lot of those nowadays.slurp wrote:vietnam, but sold as Ali Shan?
Re: Another guessing game
Jan 25th, '10, 12:01
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Re: Another guessing game
In tea, the problem is big. Actually I think it's so common nowadays that it's no longer "scandal" that catches everybody's eyes. Many tea professionals even avoid talking about it. I remember in Teahome Taiwan's owner's online journal, he once mentioned that a major whole sale supplier he knows told him they would have a major switch from local oolong to "imported oolong", and that just broke his heart. He didn't name the specific supplier, but maybe nowadays there aren't just a few.Tead Off wrote:There was a big scandal some time back where Taiwanese were selling SE Asian oolong as being made in Taiwan. Also, what was thought to be organic here SE Asia contained some nasty pesticides that are used in citrus production. So much funny business going on to make a buck. The good thing is that Taiwan usually has high standards and teas are tested regularly but no place is exempt from corruption.cindyt wrote:I love this answer! Possible, there are a lot of those nowadays.slurp wrote:vietnam, but sold as Ali Shan?
So I guess nowadays for vendors, it's important to source the tea directly from farmers or farmer association. For buyers, taste of the tea is more important than any labels or verbal notes of the tea.
Re: Another guessing game
Yes it is a known fact that fake tea is everywhere in Taiwan.gingko wrote: So I guess nowadays for vendors, it's important to source the tea directly from farmers or farmer association. For buyers, taste of the tea is more important than any labels or verbal notes of the tea.
It is tricky sometimes even with farmers. A friend of mine told me her mom buys tea directly from farmers in Taiwan all the time. After finding the tea she likes, she places the order and tells the farmer, I am only buying tea from the same can that you used to brew my tea sample from, I am not buying anything if they are from a different can.
It is depressing, actually..
Re: Another guessing game
Here are my official three guesses!
1. Da Yu Ling Oolong from Taiwan
2. Light roast Dong Ding from Taiwan
3. Shan Ling Xi Oolong from Taiwan
How'd I do?
1. Da Yu Ling Oolong from Taiwan
2. Light roast Dong Ding from Taiwan
3. Shan Ling Xi Oolong from Taiwan
How'd I do?
Jan 26th, '10, 18:50
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Jan 26th, '10, 18:52
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Re: Another guessing game
maybe it's a Taiwanese oolong that has some Vietnamese leaves mixed in. Just throwing it out there
Jan 26th, '10, 21:52
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Jan 31st, '10, 14:03
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Re: Another guessing game
Okay, let's have it run through the coming Thursday (Feb. 4), which is my weekend and also the "start of spring" day on lunar calendar 
Gifts (samples of this tea and 2 relevant teas) will go to the first 3 good answers (or closest answers)
Gifts (samples of this tea and 2 relevant teas) will go to the first 3 good answers (or closest answers)
Jan 31st, '10, 18:51
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Re: Another guessing game
I'm going with:
1) Taiwanese Jin Xuan
2) Taiwanese Jade
3) Taiwanese Green Centered
1) Taiwanese Jin Xuan
2) Taiwanese Jade
3) Taiwanese Green Centered
Feb 5th, '10, 10:41
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Re: Another guessing game
Good guess Edkrueger Taiwanese Jade (cui yu) it is. I thought it was tricky because it's not the high mountain style jade oolong (besides cui yu or green jade always make people think "green"). This is a Dong Ding style (medium oxidation, medium roast, singe leaf curled) jade oolong, ranked 4th grade award (you liang/excellence award) in Nantou County Tea Merchants Association competition of winter 2009. So I would like to also give Oni and Cha Nacho credit for mentioning Dong Ding.
PM me, you guys! Gifts will be samples of this tea, another high mountain green style jade oolong, and an excellence award dong ding oolong (made of green heart oolong cultivar) from the same competition event. I personally found the comparison between them very interesting.
Taiwanese Jade (cui yu) it is. I thought it was tricky because it's not the high mountain style jade oolong (besides cui yu or green jade always make people think "green"). This is a Dong Ding style (medium oxidation, medium roast, singe leaf curled) jade oolong, ranked 4th grade award (you liang/excellence award) in Nantou County Tea Merchants Association competition of winter 2009. So I would like to also give Oni and Cha Nacho credit for mentioning Dong Ding. PM me, you guys! Gifts will be samples of this tea, another high mountain green style jade oolong, and an excellence award dong ding oolong (made of green heart oolong cultivar) from the same competition event. I personally found the comparison between them very interesting.
Feb 7th, '10, 00:57
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