Depends on the tea - not necessarily too much. Shorter brews, more cups, more flavor!spittingoutteeth wrote:7.3 grams in a gaiwan is pretty intense....half as much should yield good results.
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Feb 24th, '10, 08:16
Posts: 69
Joined: Oct 1st, '09, 10:14
Location: Burlington, VT
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Personally I've never had luck using more than 5g is a standard-sized gaiwan. There's not enough space for the leaves to fully open and infuse evenly.
Most people assume that more flavor = more leaf. I find the opposite to be true with most Taiwanese teas, especially high mountain oolongs. Small amount of leaf, longer infusion times.
Most people assume that more flavor = more leaf. I find the opposite to be true with most Taiwanese teas, especially high mountain oolongs. Small amount of leaf, longer infusion times.
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
I think for the rolled that's probably more often the case - the stripe type don't usually explode as much. I usually use a scale for rolled as you'll never know what you'll get!
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
I was going by the Houde post, and it said to fill the pot/gaiwan to 1/3 full (if I remember correctly). I find that just covering the bottom works really well.
I ordered 300 grams of the Tsuei Luan. That's the most I've ever bought of one tea at once. With the generous first timer discount from TFT it was a steal.
I've found that these Taiwanese teas brew very well grandpa style, so I think that's what I'll be doing with this Tsuei Luan for the most part. If I just want a good cup of tea without any fuss then Taiwanese oolongs work well for me. They're light, refreshing teas that remind me of spring. Very good for chilling on the couch with a mug, and a movie/video game.
I think it should hold me over while I check out other sources (Houde, Teamasters, etc.).
Thanks everybody, and enjoy your Taiwanese oolongs.
I ordered 300 grams of the Tsuei Luan. That's the most I've ever bought of one tea at once. With the generous first timer discount from TFT it was a steal.
I've found that these Taiwanese teas brew very well grandpa style, so I think that's what I'll be doing with this Tsuei Luan for the most part. If I just want a good cup of tea without any fuss then Taiwanese oolongs work well for me. They're light, refreshing teas that remind me of spring. Very good for chilling on the couch with a mug, and a movie/video game.
I think it should hold me over while I check out other sources (Houde, Teamasters, etc.).
Thanks everybody, and enjoy your Taiwanese oolongs.
Feb 26th, '10, 09:30
Posts: 69
Joined: Oct 1st, '09, 10:14
Location: Burlington, VT
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Considering not everyone has a digital scale, a good rule of thumb for Taiwanese oolongs brewed gong fu style (in gaiwan or mini yixing) is 1 heaping teaspoon for ball oolongs (dong ding, li shan, etc.) and 1 heaping tablespoon for flatter oolongs (baozhongs, etc.). While you will want to experiment and see what works best for your personal tastes, you're pretty much guaranteed to get a good brew using this method.
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Get a scale! $10 is a small investment compared to the amount of money we're spending on tea!!!
I've been enjoying the Grandpa method lately as well. I will often brew a few cups of a heavy gaiwan and then throw the leaves in a thermos mug and drink that for the rest of the day - best of both worlds for me!
I've been enjoying the Grandpa method lately as well. I will often brew a few cups of a heavy gaiwan and then throw the leaves in a thermos mug and drink that for the rest of the day - best of both worlds for me!
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
That's a good idea Bubba, cause sometimes I'll get 2 or 3 infusions in and something comes up and I need to hit the road, so next time I'll just throw it in a thermos.
Since having tried these samples so long ago it didn't really evolve into much of anything. I bought a bunch of the Tsuei Luan because it was a steal with that coupon, it proved to be good in a mug, and it offers a refreshing break from drinking yancha most of the time.
For me Taiwanese tea wasn't a love affair, but as of late I'm starting to crave it. I think it's time to delve further in.
I've been eyeballing Stephane's selection, which is vast and I'm finding it hard to pick anything out so I need some help. What are guys' favorites? I'm thinkin DYL (if it's not out-of-stock), some li shan or ali shan, a baozhong, a Dong Ding... Anybody tried his TKY?
Also, I'm a little curious about his pots, can anybody give me some input there? I was eying the 8cl hungni one.
It's so overwhelming!
Since having tried these samples so long ago it didn't really evolve into much of anything. I bought a bunch of the Tsuei Luan because it was a steal with that coupon, it proved to be good in a mug, and it offers a refreshing break from drinking yancha most of the time.
For me Taiwanese tea wasn't a love affair, but as of late I'm starting to crave it. I think it's time to delve further in.
I've been eyeballing Stephane's selection, which is vast and I'm finding it hard to pick anything out so I need some help. What are guys' favorites? I'm thinkin DYL (if it's not out-of-stock), some li shan or ali shan, a baozhong, a Dong Ding... Anybody tried his TKY?
Also, I'm a little curious about his pots, can anybody give me some input there? I was eying the 8cl hungni one.
It's so overwhelming!

Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Has anyone tried this oolong:

It is marketed as Golden Lily" High Mountain Oolong Tea from Lin Plantation in central Taiwan, Spring Harvest. This is our "signature tea", and features the nutty, creamy flavor and tawny gold color for which the Golden Lily varietal is so renowned. If you leave the first few infusions to steep a bit longer than usual, you will experience the full depth of Golden Lily's proverbial "nai-shiang" ("Milk Fragrance") flavor.
300grams @ $120
Cheers.

It is marketed as Golden Lily" High Mountain Oolong Tea from Lin Plantation in central Taiwan, Spring Harvest. This is our "signature tea", and features the nutty, creamy flavor and tawny gold color for which the Golden Lily varietal is so renowned. If you leave the first few infusions to steep a bit longer than usual, you will experience the full depth of Golden Lily's proverbial "nai-shiang" ("Milk Fragrance") flavor.
300grams @ $120
Cheers.
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Yes, I've had it and enjoyed it. It is also organically grown.mayayo wrote:Has anyone tried this oolong:
It is marketed as Golden Lily" High Mountain Oolong Tea from Lin Plantation in central Taiwan, Spring Harvest. This is our "signature tea", and features the nutty, creamy flavor and tawny gold color for which the Golden Lily varietal is so renowned. If you leave the first few infusions to steep a bit longer than usual, you will experience the full depth of Golden Lily's proverbial "nai-shiang" ("Milk Fragrance") flavor.
300grams @ $120
Cheers.
Oct 10th, '10, 17:15
Posts: 1574
Joined: Dec 30th, '08, 21:16
Location: The foot of the great Smoky Mountains
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
just put another order in from TFT. i went with the Tsuei Luan again which ive had before and liked..and also the Hua Gang which ive never had. Along with another sampler set of dyl and the milk oolongs..Tead Off wrote:Try Shan Lin Xi or Li Shan. They are cooler but more expensive.
Re: Taiwanese Teas!
Stephane's DYL is excellent this year - much better than HouDe's and better than Stephane's DYL from last year.JustinW wrote:
I've been eyeballing Stephane's selection, which is vast and I'm finding it hard to pick anything out so I need some help. What are guys' favorites? I'm thinkin DYL (if it's not out-of-stock), some li shan or ali shan, a baozhong, a Dong Ding... Anybody tried his TKY?
Also, I'm a little curious about his pots, can anybody give me some input there? I was eying the 8cl hungni one.
It's so overwhelming!