Thursday TeaDay 5/14/09 New harvest trifecta?

by **Aphroditea** » May 14th, '09, 09:40

LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo, Sal

Actually, it made me think of something I would send to Monk (from the TV show) because he would go mad trying to put the cup in the center

I voted Darjeeling FF because I do SO enjoy it and it is what I am craving this morning. But, on Sunday I am headed out with a teachatter to have some Shincha, and by then THAT will be what I crave.

In my cup: White Darjeeling

by **brlarson** » May 14th, '09, 09:53

I voted for Japanese greens, but next year I might change my mind and order FF Chinese greens. I'm not sure when I will do darjeeling.

Jing's Da Ping TGY in my cup this morning.

by **geeber1** » May 14th, '09, 11:06

Victoria wrote:In my cup this morning Sun Moon Lake from Camellia Sinensis.

V, I'm assuming this version is better than the Upton version?

Sal, I didn't notice the off-center cup until I read your note at the bottom. A little chaos is good once in a while, but I still want to move the cup ... just a little bit!

I haven't caught the FF fever yet, maybe next year!

Yunnan in my cup this morning. Not sure what's next.

by **teashionista** » May 14th, '09, 11:24

Chinese greens for me, by a far margin

I really want to love FF Darjeelings, but they are far too "green" and astringent. So I'm patiently waiting for the second flush (trying to stretch my '08 Goomtee till the new shipment). As far as Japanese greens, shincha is great, and I will definitely buy at least a pack next year, but I really prefer regular sencha--it's a little less fleeting (in flavor as well as timing)...

Chinese greens, on the other hand, are "full" versioins of themselves, only better, fresher, and brighter. So there you have it

Drinking Buddha Tea from In Pursuit of Tea, 2008 harvest.

by **Intuit** » May 14th, '09, 11:24

I find many FF teas to be over-rated and vastly inflated in cost, especially when we KNOW that more than half of Darjeeling teas aren't true Darjeeling estate harvests. It will interesting to see what happens to pricing when the new branding regulations are put in place, assuming that they are enforced.

I admit bias here - I prefer the complex and robust flavors of 2nd and Autumnal flush teas, and find them to be just as enjoyable (although they are also subject to dilution with other teas) as FF teas.

I'm also awaiting the new oolongs.

Ceylon estate tea in the cup this morning.

by **murrius** » May 14th, '09, 11:58

Japanese greens for me. Darjeeling FF comes in a very close second (Puttabong FF from Tea Emporium was absolutely magnificent). I haven't tried Chinese FF greens yet this year but will be ordering 2009 Long Jing very soon. I've been holding off as my tea cupboard was overflowing with great tea. However, I have managed to put a respectable dent in that over the month so there is a bit of room now.

Shincha this morning. Second steep of Fukamushi sencha Supreme. Short steep but incredible florescent green and rich complex flavours.....

by **Victoria** » May 14th, '09, 12:00

Aphroditea wrote: I voted Darjeeling FF because I do SO enjoy it and it is what I am craving this morning. But, on Sunday I am headed out with a teachatter to have some Shincha, and by then THAT will be what I crave.

Have fun Aphro!! Don't forget to tell us all the details!!

geeber1 wrote:
Victoria wrote:In my cup this morning Sun Moon Lake from Camellia Sinensis.
V, I'm assuming this version is better than the Upton version?

Hummm I am trying to be impartial. But it seems better. But that could be because I knew what to expect. They are very similar.

But on to better things!!! I finally got the Adagio FF Darjeeling and it is in my work cup!! It's good, but I prefer last year's. I'm glad a bought a large tin late in the year.

So busy this week at work, I'm glad to have a little tea break. I brought in a new chawan it's really lovely. I'll post some photos this weekend if I find time!
.

by **brad4419** » May 14th, '09, 12:18

Im looking forward to chinese greens the most but that may be because I havent the tea budget to try darjeelings or quality shincha yet.

Order from teasprings came in yesterday with
Ding gu da fang
long jing
Jiu Hua Fo Cha
Bai Hao Yin Zhen

The Ding gu da fang is the one Im really looking forward to because I usually like more nutty greens.

by **Chip** » May 14th, '09, 13:17

Easy, Japanese greens for me. I probably don't have to say anything more?

I did have my first Darjeeling FF, a white from Singtom last evening, very different and interesting. Started off very fruity, and now 5 steeps later and overnight, perfumy. I enjoyed it but won't sit up at night craving it like Japanese greens.

I also had 2 very interesting and enjoyable new harvest Chinese greens. Still, Japanese wins in the crave factor category.

Began the TD with shincha Kirameki from O-Cha. I think I found the groove on this one, takes me several sessions each year for this one to nail it down. SweeTea had her fair share, Pyrit, Wulong and TEAh stopped by the TeaTable.

by **entropyembrace** » May 14th, '09, 15:01

I do want all three, and so does my gf...but she says Darjeeling wins xD

but Dragon Tea House won my next overseas tea order with a beautiful gaiwan so the Chinese greens will get to go first.

I'm eyeing the Premium Jiu Hua Fo Cha and Supreme Tai Ping Hou Kui Monkey King for 09 Chinese greens...

Nothing yet today but thinking of 08 2nd flush Margaret's Hope Darjeeling...

by **entropyembrace** » May 14th, '09, 16:44

yay! ^^ 2008 Single Bush Milan Dancong arrived today!

I checked it (smells and looks lovely just like I expected) then tucked the canisters away in my closet. ^.^

(I bought 1kg to age as an anniversary tea)

So anyway...I'm trying a sample of the Osmanthus Shi Feng Long Jing AA from Jing Tea Shop that came with the Dancong

by **Chip** » May 14th, '09, 17:10

Continued the TD with Chiran Supreme from O-Cha with the mrs. on another rainy dreary day. The tea was cheery however.

Deciding on whether the next tea will be matcha or a to sample a 2009 FF Darjeeling, one of 35 samples I received this week from the "A" team. Hard to go wrong either way.

by **daughteroftheKing** » May 14th, '09, 17:41

I may be stoned for heresy here, but I've just never gotten into the FF of any particular tea. The milder 2nd pickings are more my taste.
Not that I don't experiment and try new things, though!

Today I explored some Dong Ding Ming Xiang oolong (teafromtaiwan) - ok, well I've tried it several ways and it's not for me.
So I balanced out the afternoon with my comfort tea served for the weekly T@3 group: Darjeeling 22. Ahh, life is good

by **Cinnamon Kitty** » May 14th, '09, 17:44

Japanese greens! I haven't really tried or enjoyed any of the other first flushes. I attempted a FF Darjeeling and hated it. Chinese greens are okay, but I tend to enjoy the Japanese ones enough to not dive into the Chinese ones nearly as much.

Currently in my cup is a cold brewed green tea. Next up, either an oolong or more fukamushi sencha supreme.

by **danibob** » May 14th, '09, 18:34

Japanese greens for sure.

Having the last of my Chiran sencha stash. I wanted to finish up most of my 2008 greens before I break into my shinchas. I have one opened shincha and 4 other packs waiting in the fridge.

After my sencha I will probably have some kind of oolong. Also as an effort to finish up many of my opened teas.

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Thursday TeaDay 5/14/09 New harvest trifecta?

Based upon discussions on TeaChat, it seems the 3 major players in the "new harvest tea" tastings of 2009 are Darjeeling FF, Chinese green, and Japanese green. Given a choice, which would you choose?

Reluctantly voted Darjeelings FF