June ITD Tasting: Yancha

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Jun 30th, '08, 19:52
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by chamekke » Jun 30th, '08, 19:52

OK, here we go... yancha sample A.

I infused half the sample at 20-30 seconds at ~100mL (no gaiwan yet, so I filled up a 150mL yixing pot two-thirds of the way). Not at all scientific, but as someone mentioned, this is a forgiving tea.

There were distinct notes of cocoa, sweet tobacco, and caramel, as well as a slight earthiness. I was unable to detect the cinnamon or blackberry flavours that others mentioned. The aroma was more pronounced than the taste, but it had a rich and rounded mouth-feel, especially when rolled towards the back of the tongue. There was absolutely no trace of bitterness. The tea lasted for four infusions before the flavour really began dropping off.

Looking forward to trying sample B next!

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by Victoria » Jun 30th, '08, 20:01

That cup is stunning! Have you been holding out on us?

And don't even dare say, "This old thing?"

:mrgreen:
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by chamekke » Jun 30th, '08, 20:08

Victoria wrote:That cup is stunning! Have you been holding out on us?

And don't even dare say, "This old thing?"

:mrgreen:
{blush} I mentioned it in the Yunomi search thread, actually. But I think it got overshadowed by the meoto-yunomi pair that I posted at the same time!
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by Victoria » Jun 30th, '08, 20:19

Wow, thanks, I completely missed it. And your links too. Oy!
I must stop!!!!
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by Salsero » Jun 30th, '08, 22:45

Victoria wrote:I must stop!!!!
Don't stop now!

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Any tea would taste good in this thing. It was lovely with its hat on in the yunomi thread and it's lovely with its hat off here.
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Jul 1st, '08, 02:21
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by Salsero » Jul 1st, '08, 02:21

Joseph K. Edgerton III wrote: Don't stop now!
Image
Any tea would taste good in this thing. It was lovely with its hat on in the yunomi thread and it's lovely with its hat off here.
Has anyone thought to ask the obvious question here?
  • Where can I get a cup like that?
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by chamekke » Jul 1st, '08, 02:46

It was on eBay for $1.99 ... I'm sorry :oops: I'd have to go back and look, but I think it was listed as a rice bowl (which, of course, it is not).

Now the odd thing is that later I was looking on Yahoo Japan Auctions*, and saw five of the same bowl - all of which had lids and chataku, very nice - PLUS a matching teapot. The whole lot went for Y1000, which is about $10!

The blurb in Japanese says that it's Aritayaki, and also that it's for bancha. The automatic translator says something about its being "alpine" (? maybe the shape and colour are supposed to be reminiscent of snowy mountains). More than that I can't really make out.
__________

*A bad habit, I don't recommend it.
Last edited by chamekke on Jul 1st, '08, 03:09, edited 1 time in total.
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by Salsero » Jul 1st, '08, 02:50

chamekke wrote:It was on eBay for $1.99 ...
Wow, that is a great story!
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by Victoria » Jul 1st, '08, 10:13

I SERIOUSLY WANT that bowl!!!
:mrgreen:
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by chamekke » Jul 1st, '08, 13:08

Victoria wrote:I SERIOUSLY WANT that bowl!!!
:mrgreen:
Tell you what - if I see a set of them (like the one that was on Yahoo Japan), I'll let you know. Maybe we can even split the set. I mean, who needs FIVE identical yunomi...
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by Victoria » Jul 1st, '08, 13:14

That sounds like an excellent plan!
Thank you!
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by Salsero » Jul 2nd, '08, 18:05

cane wrote:I have tried many Qi Lans from vendors here in the states, but nothing that matched the sweet chocolatey taste this one batch had.
OK, this guy in TeaDay gave me a big hint with the Wuyi his friend brought back from China.

I vote B is Qi Lan ... maybe Jian Bin Qi Lan (whatever that means!)
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by olivierco » Jul 9th, '08, 01:05

I had Sample B yesterday.

I was less convinced by it than by sample A. Although it tasted good, it was less complex and less powerful.
It brewed it in a gaiwan and followed the brewing tips you gave. Maybe some longer steeping times would have been better.
That the part I don't like with samples, only one chance. I am very glad you gave us a big Sample A suitable for two sessions.

Thank you very much for sending the samples.
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by scruffmcgruff » Jul 9th, '08, 12:40

Alright, here are the names of those teas:

Sample A: 2002 Aged Rou Gui from Teacuppa (Sadly, no longer available, unless I'm not looking hard enough)

Sample B: 2007 Exquisite Da Hong Pao, also from Teacuppa

Salsero wins the bulk of the cool points for guessing that A was rou gui from Teacuppa. Victoria guessed that the teas were from Teacuppa, though, so she gets a few cool points.

Sorry about the small size of the samples, especially B. I should have limited the number of signups, but I didn't think so many would be interested!
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by olivierco » Jul 9th, '08, 12:53

scruffmcgruff wrote:Alright, here are the names of those teas:

Sample A: 2002 Aged Rou Gui from Teacuppa (Sadly, no longer available, unless I'm not looking hard enough)

Sample B: 2007 Exquisite Da Hong Pao, also from Teacuppa

Salsero wins the bulk of the cool points for guessing that A was rou gui from Teacuppa. Victoria guessed that the teas were from Teacuppa, though, so she gets a few cool points.
2007 Exquisite Da Hong Pao:
Exquisite Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea comes in 2 packets. Each packet weighs 6 grams (0.21 oz).
20$ for 12gr?

What was the price for the 2002 Aged Rou Gui?
scruffmcgruff wrote:Sorry about the small size of the samples, especially B. I should have limited the number of signups, but I didn't think so many would be interested!
No need to be sorry! It was very nice to try these teas!
Last edited by olivierco on Jul 9th, '08, 12:55, edited 1 time in total.
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