Monday, OOLONG BOX PASS DAY, 7/07/08

[TimeforTea]

Yay!! Oolong Box Pass

I voted Taiwan! Everyone knows - or should know if they have been paying attention - the best green oolongs come from the high mountain areas of Taiwan.

What she said.

[Salsero]

I'm surprised so many people are saying Taiwan (aside from its apparent non-existence as a separate entity, according to the good ol' PRC)! Taiwanese oolongs are great, but China has so much more easily-obtainable variety.

I think the Wuyi and Dan Cong drinkers are a tiny minority among a sea of the light green oolongs, just what Taiwan specializes in.

On the other hand, the volume of the mainland's TGY production must be huge.

[kymidwife]

Enjoying a cup today of kymidwife's Cran Cherry Adagio blend. I had gotten away from the flavored teas in the last few days and this is really great! I think it'll make a super iced tea when my fridge pitcher is empty next time...

(even got 2 steeps out of it. 4 minute first one and 7 minute second- perfect!)

Thanks, Sarah!

EW

I'm so glad you are enjoying it! I started with that blend trying to replicate something close to Teavana's Sweet Cranberry Black... but as I am a big cherry lover, I decided to go CranCherry instead of just cranberry. I always worry with cherry flavors that it might come out tasting like cough syrup... so I was relieved to find the blend very pleasing. And yes, I love it iced. I throw in an extra scoop of black tea to lighten the fruit flavor a bit sometimes, but I have enjoyed it both ways.

I drank your RedRose this morning... made a massively delicious hot cup with cream and sugar. Mmmmmm.

I actually had an oolong craving today, so just brewed up some Adagio TKY... and freakin LOVING it unsweetened and all. It is amazing to me how my tastes are changing to accomodate something besides uber-sweet flavored teas (but I still love those too). Can't wait to finish this cup and sample a 2nd infusion.

Ahhhh, the journey.

Sarah

[witches brew]

Of the infrequent cups of oolong that I've had, the Taiwan-as-a-tea-producing-region-though-not-a-poilitical-entity (whew!) oolong was delightful, so that's my vote.

I didn't know there were Indian oolongs. Anything worthwhile?

I had genmaicha for morning tea, and am contemplating darjeeling this afternoon.

It's so good to be back with my own treasured teas.

[olivierco]

Rooibos to end the day.

Does someone have a link to Oolong categories?

[tenuki]

Some very new shu I'm sampling to see if I want to buy and store for a few years. This is the first infusion, clear as a bell, and tasty. Hmnn, so far so good. Celedon tasting cup from Stephane..

[Chip]

Course, Chip, you realize that you are not making any friends in the PRC by listing Taiwan separately from China. You wouldn't want to get our president in trouble because you didn't follow our government's "one China" policy, in effect since the Nixon administration.

Fortunately, I am not too into politics. I could not imagine calling Taiwan WenShan BaoZhong Chinese...*shudders* But I like some Chinese oolongs as well.

Currently Ito En's shincha Kagoshima from Joel, this makes a flavorful and potent brew. The price is placing it out of what I would call its "value range" as it is really $$$. But it is a really nice opportunity...thanx Joel.

LOVE that celadon tasting cup, tenuki!!!

[Victoria]

~clickable~

Enjoying my current favorite oolong - FLT Alishan Traditional
in my new Hibiki-an cup and new cherry bark accessories!
I'm stylin' today! Tomorrow back to work after 4 days off, ugh!!!

[Chip]

I am going to try ali shan in a bit in honor of the OOLONG PASS!!! The dry leaf smells WOW!!!

[tenuki]

... my new Hibiki-an cup and new cherry bark accessories!
I'm stylin' today!

Oh my, you _are_ stylin' !!

[rodstnmn]

The oolong box pass sounds great. I will be watching it's progress with interest. If it ever tries to sneak a trip into Canada, let me know.
Right now I have Yerba Mate in my cup.

[Tea na]

Rooibos to end the day.

Does someone have a link to Oolong categories?

My Little Black Book of Tea has these Oolong categories....(they listed Taiwan separate *gasp*!)

Oolong
Formosa – China, Taiwan
Pouchong – China Taiwan
Pu-Er – China
Ti Kwan Yin – China, Taiwan
Wu Yi – China

Tea Na

[henley]

Thanx for the compliments on the photo. Sal, don't know much history on the cup except it's marked "Royal Sealy China" & made in Japan. Probably made after WWII so 1950s maybe?

WOW!! That cup is GORGEOUS!!

Thought you would like this one. I've been waiting for just the right occassion to use it & thought the fancy flower needed an extra fancy cup. If the cup hadn't been a gift, I'd trade it for your sakura canister. I've been looking at those reeealy hard since they were first posted.

Off to make a cuppa Pouchong while I fix dinner.

[laran7]

My husband, while stationed in Korea, did a good deal of vacationing in Thailand and always talks about how beautiful the country is and about all these little hidden treasures like reclining Buddhas and rainforests full of butterflies. I don't know anything about Thai oolongs, but I thought anything tied to the gorgeous vistas he has described would be worth a try

So far I really like the TKY - which comes from China - at least according to the
information page - so I voted for China. I haven't really experimented enough to
really chose a place I believe is an "all over" best.

I also think that beautifully tasting tea must come from somewhere extradinary.

[tenuki]

Light sheds its color
The tea answers, nonchalant
I'm here, drink me now

Sun does weird things to Seattlites....