Monday, Alishan Day 10/20/08 TC/TCR Selection Day!

[TIM]

My AliShan vendors are both from Hong Kong:

SunSing
http://www.sunsingtea.com/chi/goods.php?id=140
High Mountain AliShan
600-1200M
$100HK or $13US for 100g = US $0.13 per gram

The Best Tea House
http://www.besttea.com.hk/eng/tea_leave/a10160802.htm
AliShan King
$530HK or $68US for 100g = US $0.68 per gram

Unfortunately, the farmers I know in Taiwan do not have website....
In my cup, 2000 "Lady Red Palace" cooked Puerh 1st grade.

[Salsero]

... SunSing ... $0.13 per gram

Wow, the price is great if the tea is good. The Best Tea House is the stuff of cult following here in the USA as the most renowned of all teahouses. I wouldn't expect them to sell at discount rates.

In my cup, Lucky brand mini-tuocha of shu puerh, third infusion. It could be worse.

[olivierco]

Miyabi sencha in a few minutes

[treazure]

I'll have my Oolong later but right this minute since I'm working on sweating out the last of the flu my dear husband brought home, my pot is filled with Irish tea,brewed strong enough to float an Irishman with a dash of rum - just for medicinal purposes, you understand.

[Chip]

What is this, Shelob fell from a ladder, sounds more like a hobbit than a spider. Prayers your way, Shelob, get well soon. At least you are drinking Alishan.

We need more nominations ...

Started the day with Delilah sitting on my butcher block table watching me while I sipped Chiran Supreme from O-Cha. Had a few other visitors, one took particular interest.

And now the theme tea of the day, Adagio Alishan is in my cup.

[Chip]

I do have a question about the TC/TCR idea. What is Adagio's benefit for doing this? Is their goal to improve their product if it doesn't compare favorably with others? Or to have bragging rights is it's better? Or just to encourage world domination through tea?

Adagio is a very open minded tea company. They are always looking for ways to simply promote the general enjoyment of tea. Not many tea companies would have a forum like TeaChat where members can openly discuss any tea, period.

TCR is rather ground breaking in its approach. They have placed 95% of the control into TeaChatters hands. We pick and choose what we want to TCR, they handle the potentially huge logistics. Their goal is NOT to profit directly from the program, that is very clear to me.

[geeber1]

I do have a question about the TC/TCR idea. What is Adagio's benefit for doing this? Is their goal to improve their product if it doesn't compare favorably with others? Or to have bragging rights is it's better? Or just to encourage world domination through tea?

Adagio is a very open minded tea company. They are always looking for ways to simply promote the general enjoyment of tea. Not many tea companies would have a forum like TeaChat where members can openly discuss any tea, period.

TCR is rather ground breaking in its approach. They have placed 95% of the control into TeaChatters hands. We pick and choose what we want to TCR, they handle the potentially huge logistics. Their goal is NOT to profit directly from the program, that is very clear to me.

Thanks, Chip. It is VERY gracious of Adagio to encourage the TCR, in fact, it's awesome! They are unusual in that they aren't out to benefit themselves, but the greater good of the tea community!

I have a lot to learn so am looking forward to participating if I'm able, and also just learning from others as the tasting and reviews are posted.

[olivierco]

Time now for some Kanro gyokuro (still waiting for my Kuradashi gyokuro) . No oolong today I guess.

[Trioxin]

I fell off a ladder this weekend...and not a stepladder ugh

Broke my right wrist, hairline in my left, severe elbow bruise and 3 cracked ribs..OUCH Somehow, my hard head was saved damage other than small abrasion, atho' did have a cat scan, waiting for results.

Nevertheless, it is extremely hard to type or really do anything right now. I will be reading TeaDay more than likely not much posting. A friend stopped by today and brewed Alishan Adagio for me and is currently typing this post! Wow, what a great friend Don't think this will happen every day

So Alishan is in my cup this morn. Everyone have a FAB TeaDay and if the thought strikes ya, say a quick prayer for painless healing. HA.. I am a real baby as far as pain tolerance. Give me the drugs

Sal, again you worked your magic and made me smile....lovely, drop-dead gorgeous shot!!! Thanks

Maitre_tea, thanks for the get well wishes! They say things happen in 3, here's hoping that's true!

ouch. Hope you get well soon. In the meantime, enjoy the Vicodine.

[rodstnmn]

Yes I will positively have an Alishan oolong today in honor of todays topic.
I wish to reinforce Adagio's nomination.

May I nominate
TeaCuppa's Cui Yu Oolong; http://www.teacuppa.com/Formosa-Cui-Yu-Oolong-Tea.asp
This one may get some boo's. It is in the price range for sure. I have not tried this tea personily, but I like TeaCuppa.

A Liu Bao in my cup.

[Trioxin]

I do have a question about the TC/TCR idea. What is Adagio's benefit for doing this? Is their goal to improve their product if it doesn't compare favorably with others? Or to have bragging rights is it's better? Or just to encourage world domination through tea?

Adagio is a very open minded tea company. They are always looking for ways to simply promote the general enjoyment of tea. Not many tea companies would have a forum like TeaChat where members can openly discuss any tea, period.

TCR is rather ground breaking in its approach. They have placed 95% of the control into TeaChatters hands. We pick and choose what we want to TCR, they handle the potentially huge logistics. Their goal is NOT to profit directly from the program, that is very clear to me.

Wow. I gotta say I'm simply blown away by Adagios approach to tea.

[Salsero]

Wow. I gotta say I'm simply blown away by Adagios approach to tea.

Me too. And the approach to life is pretty cool too!

************************************

Well, we are not getting many nominations here. I will venture some, though I haven't tried them:

• Tea From Taiwan has two Ali Shan products in the range
  Shi Zuo Oolong Tea comes in at exactly 20¢ if you buy 600 grams,
  Four Season Oolong Tea @ 13¢,
  one other is above our range.

I found 2 at TeaHome, one roasted.

• Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Golden Lily @ 10¢
  Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Dark Oolong (a roasted selection) @ 13¢
  (Both on the same long page at http://www.teahometw.com/usa/TeahomeEnglishCatalog.htm)

Floating Leaves has two but both are way beyond our range. Shan Shui teas has 5, but they are all at least 30¢.

I think for our first choice we accidentally picked a pretty pricey tea. Now I can find lots of pu around 4¢ or 5¢ , but the weight might include a few insect parts and what not.

[Salsero]

SpecialTeas has one at 15¢ per gram.

I didn't see any at Jing, TeaMasters (Stéphane), or TeaSpring.

Interestingly, Harney's is 27¢ if you buy 16 oz, but only 23¢ if you buy 4 oz! That pricing is as nutty as airline tickets. In any event, both are over our target.

[Victoria]

I found 2 at TeaHome, one roasted.

• Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Golden Lily @ 10¢
  Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Dark Oolong (a roasted selection) @ 13¢
  (Both on the same long page at http://www.teahometw.com/usa/TeahomeEnglishCatalog.htm)

I will support the nomination of Aa-Li-Shan High Mountain Golden Lily @ 10¢
I was looking at that one earlier. Although I'm not a big fan of
Golden Lily, they tend to be light in body. I was not impressed with
the one called TeaHome Golden Lily, I'm assuming this one is new?

I wouldn't throw a darker roast into the mix. Shouldn't we keep it at light to medium???

[Maitre_Tea]

I think finding a tea within that price bracket is a little hard, because my eyes are automatically drawn to the pricey teas.

I'm not saying that the price bracket should be increased, because I do understand budgetary constraints. Maybe we can see if these vendors will give us a special deal if their tea is selected.