June ITD Tasting: Yancha

[Chip]

Got a code (cold)...can't smell anyting (anything)...so no tastings here for at least several days.

Thanx for the tin and tea. I have a lot of this exact tin, so, you have catered to my OCD side.

[scruffmcgruff]

I have a lot of this exact tin, so, you have catered to my OCD side.

On the contrary, I bought those tins (24 pack from Upton) on your recommendation!

(In case anyone is wondering, no, you didn't all get the Upton tins. A couple of you got some old spice tins.)

[Victoria]

Sample B - I feel like I have tasted this before - therefore I am going to guess the vendor is TEACUPPA. Most I have tried came from there. Although it tastes very, very similar to one sent to me by Tenuki.

My guess is it's the - Lao Cong Shui Xian - 2004

I get an earthy aroma, slight woodiness and smoke
with a dry after taste.

Very nice, I enjoyed it!
Thank you.

[joelbct]

Got a code (cold)...can't smell anyting (anything)...so no tastings here for at least several days.

Thanx for the tin and tea. I have a lot of this exact tin, so, you have catered to my OCD side.

Chip, where did you get the little black zip pouches from the Shincha Tasting? Those are perfect...

[Victoria]

Sample A - My guess -
TeaCuppa - Da Hong Pao Wu Yi Rock Tea - 2007

Very nice cup, sweet honey aroma, I taste cinnamon and fruitiness,
nice sweet aftertaste.

This one:
http://www.teacuppa.com/Da-Hong-Pao-Wu- ... a+Hong+Pao

[Salsero]

Sample A - My guess -
TeaCuppa - Da Hong Pao Wu Yi Rock Tea - 2007

This sounds like a good guess, but aren't there three of those: no letter, B, and E @ $16, $18, and $58? I get really frustrated with TeaCuppa's DHP listings: there's 3 of the 2007 and 3 of the 2005, as I read the website, with wild price differentials.

[Chip]

Got a code (cold)...can't smell anyting (anything)...so no tastings here for at least several days.

Thanx for the tin and tea. I have a lot of this exact tin, so, you have catered to my OCD side.

Chip, where did you get the little black zip pouches from the Shincha Tasting? Those are perfect...

From Sorbent. They were 100 for 20 bucks, but most sizes are only available in huge quantities like 1000. This size is for some reason an anomaly. It is a great size for Japanese and some black tea samples, but for Chinese greens, oolongs, etc with larger leaf, I wish they had a larger size option in this quantity.

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/standupbags_order.html Size AA.

[chamekke]

Post your notes here! Also, try to guess what type of yancha each is, from whom they were sourced (they both came from the same vendor), and what year each was produced.

Yay!!! Mine has arrived, up here in chilly Canada (well, it's chilly today anyway). I can hardly wait to try it. Except...

[Edit: Okay, I'll be nice and give some better brewing instructions. For A, put about half the sample in a gaiwan. Use boiling water, start with short steeps (15s or so) and work your way up. For B, use the entire sample, boiling water, and flash infusions to start, working your way up to taste.]

Er, I don't own a gaiwan. Would you recommend that I wait until acquiring one (I guess I could make a special trip to Chinatown this coming weekend), or is there another steeping approach I can use that won't do violence to this wonderful-smelling tea?

[Victoria]

Sample A - My guess -
TeaCuppa - Da Hong Pao Wu Yi Rock Tea - 2007

This sounds like a good guess, but aren't there three of those: no letter, B, and E @ $16, $18, and $58? I get really frustrated with TeaCuppa's DHP listings: there's 3 of the 2007 and 3 of the 2005, as I read the website, with wild price differentials.

It is very confusing! They need help on their site!
I edited my post to indicate my exact choice.

Could very well be a premium, but without the leaves to compare, I went with my first instinct.

I'm a terrible guesser.

[scruffmcgruff]

Er, I don't own a gaiwan. Would you recommend that I wait until acquiring one (I guess I could make a special trip to Chinatown this coming weekend), or is there another steeping approach I can use that won't do violence to this wonderful-smelling tea?

It's up to you; I would just go ahead and use what you have. I don't think either of these teas is particularly fussy, so they should be able to take any abuse you can dish out in your non-gaiwan (just teasing ). I don't think I've brewed oolongs western-style for a while, though, so you may want to ask someone else for tips, sorry!

[Salsero]

... edited my post to indicate my exact choice.

I'm a terrible guesser.

That page has a pull down box for three different qualities of DHP.

You might be a terrible guesser, but this isn't guessing. I think you're hot on the trail!

Anyone wanna take bets?

[Victoria]

Holy cow! I didn't read anyone else reviews or guesses till I posted mine, in all fairness!

I just read Proinsias chose the same teas! Wow.
Maybe I am closer than I thought. Ha!
I'm betting on my vendor though.

[scruffmcgruff]

I'll offer a lesson taught to me in my research lab:

Precision ≠ Accuracy

[Victoria]

Feeling the rain on my parade.
Boasting is never good.
I'll revert to my previous position - I'm a terrible guesser.

[scruffmcgruff]

I didn't say you were wrong. Just don't think that the majority will necessarily be right in this little game.