You probably know this, but you are looking for a preponderance of golden tips. They add to the smoothness and complexity. If you had not already ordered, would have suggested their Mangalam full leaf. But the broken leaf can be just as amazing. You'll know as soon as you open the container!
If the broken leaf is too astringent, the addition of a tiny amount of milk or soy - less than a teaspoon, should soften it without hiding the nuances. I know that is contrary to the tea purist mind set, but my training has taught me that broken leaf Assam are an exception. Hope you enjoy them!
~CynTEAa
Jan 19th, '08, 14:17
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The 266 Assam Meleng looks like the tippiest, and is their most expensive Assam... Although all their prices seem very reasonable all-around.
And they are in Stratford, CT- Methinks this might be the importer used by that now-shuttered New Haven tea bar I was talking about... I notice many similarities on their menu.
**Ah, I am almost certain it was the same importer... the tea bar even used identical tea-timers... yay, I am so happy to have found this source! Thank you CynTEAa**
And they are in Stratford, CT- Methinks this might be the importer used by that now-shuttered New Haven tea bar I was talking about... I notice many similarities on their menu.
**Ah, I am almost certain it was the same importer... the tea bar even used identical tea-timers... yay, I am so happy to have found this source! Thank you CynTEAa**
Jan 19th, '08, 18:56
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
Thanks, Joel, for pointing out the error of my ways! I don't know how I managed to order two middle-priced teas when I had meant to order their best offerings.
I guess I might just be stupid, stupid, stupid! (Wringing his hands and kicking himself around the room like a tin can.)
I've e-mailed them to see if they can save me from myself at the eleventh hour as the order has apparently not yet shipped.
Thanks again Joel. I sure don't need two more samples of mediocre Assam sitting around. It would be especially exciting if it turns out to be the tea you had years ago. You could contact them and ask if they supplied that shop.
I guess I might just be stupid, stupid, stupid! (Wringing his hands and kicking himself around the room like a tin can.)
I've e-mailed them to see if they can save me from myself at the eleventh hour as the order has apparently not yet shipped.
Thanks again Joel. I sure don't need two more samples of mediocre Assam sitting around. It would be especially exciting if it turns out to be the tea you had years ago. You could contact them and ask if they supplied that shop.
Nice... well both the 264 Assam Mangalam FTGFOP1 and the 266 Assam Meleng FTGFOP1 look pretty good. And even the 225 and 221 look decent.
Apparently they offered at least one other high-end tippy Assam in the past, but it is sold out, as high-end tea is wont to be.
My encounter was 3 years ago, but yes I think I will shoot them an email to try and confirm. I am 95% certain they are the same supplier, based on their selection.
Either way, it is nice just to find a reputable vendor with the hookup for high-end Assams. Maybe they will have additional varieties for the 2008 season...
Apparently they offered at least one other high-end tippy Assam in the past, but it is sold out, as high-end tea is wont to be.
My encounter was 3 years ago, but yes I think I will shoot them an email to try and confirm. I am 95% certain they are the same supplier, based on their selection.
Either way, it is nice just to find a reputable vendor with the hookup for high-end Assams. Maybe they will have additional varieties for the 2008 season...
So I received positive confirmation, they are the supplier of that now-closed tea shop that introduced me to fine loose leaf 4 years ago (small world!), and to top it off, the email actually came from the same woman who ran the shop, turns out, she works for Special Teas as well! Or at least, she has the same first name, so I think they are the same person.Salsero wrote:It would be especially exciting if it turns out to be the tea you had years ago. You could contact them and ask if they supplied that shop.
I hope the Assam and Keemun Hao Ya are as good as I remember them.... This is what I ordered:
593 China Emperors Red (Fujian) 1/2OZ 1 $0.00 (free sample)
264 Assam Mangalam FTGFOP1 (CL/SP) 1/2OZ 1 $3.00
266 Assam Meleng FTGFOP1 (SP) 1/2OZ 1 $3.00
260 Assam TGFOP House Blend 1/4LB 1 $5.95
508 China Yunnan Gold Competition Grade 1/2OZ 1 $4.00
503 China Keemun Hao-Ya A 2OZ 1 $10.95
They say the Assam sold at the tea shop was number 260, TGFOP House Blend, but I ordered samples of some others as well.
I will let you know how it turns out!
For real, let me get my head around this....Salsero wrote:What can I say except, "Wow!"
You open with a thread about Assam, I respond saying that I had great Assam 3 years ago but the shop's closed and I've been searching for their source ever since, CynTEAa responds saying she has a source, and it turns out, it's the exact supplier of my aforementioned shop of years past, for which I've been diligently searching...
That is too much! It must have been fate that brought me to this messageboard....
Jan 21st, '08, 21:47
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Jan 21st, '08, 21:59
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
Especially that House Blend.Mary R wrote:Do please report back on your findings!
Just before Joel's order summary above hit the message boards, I placed a new order with SpecialTeas for the 264 and 266 that I should have ordered the first time, and I am not willing to place a 3rd order (and another $3.95 shipping fee) for still another $2.00 sample. So I'll be especially interested in how the legendary 260 stacks up against the 266 and 264.
I will also report back to you all about the 3 from TeaSource in relation to the SpecialTeas.