Monday TeaDay 10/05/09 New tea?

[Chip]

Good TeaDay one and all. I hope you will come in and sit a spell, sharing what is in your cup with us throughout the day ...

Yesterday we discussed tearooms. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Just a simple topic for discussion, have you tried any new teas lately that are worth talking about or worth trying? Please share with us.

I am looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with everyone.

[olivierco]

No new tea lately. My last new tea was the Warashina sencha, a nice light steamed sencha.
Otsuusan sencha this morning.

[Drax]

I've tried a bunch of new (to me) pu'erh in the last few weeks, but I'm not sure they're worth recommending. The ones that really stand out are the American Hao series from the Puerh Shop. Certainly the 0901 seems like a great deal ($10 for a 357g beeng). But pu'erh is certainly not everybody's cup of tea, and YSMV (your snobbiness may vary).

This morning I am enjoying some Rou Gui, brewed in a gaiwan. It's a nice change of pace from the last couple weeks.

[brlarson]

I've tried several new teas lately. Of them, Hibiki'an's Tencha, is recommended as a worthwhile tasting experience. I've almost finished my first bag and I have another in the tea fridge -- Yes, I have not only Hagi ware but also a Tea Fridge.

Adagio's Ali Shan is in my cup this morning.

[Chip]

I've tried several new teas lately. Of them, Hibiki'an's Tencha, is recommended as a worthwhile tasting experience. I've almost finished my first bag and I have another in the tea fridge -- Yes, I have not only Hagi ware but also a Tea Fridge.

My only experience with Tencha was that it left me with the realization that it would likely be best ground for matcha since it was a hard to to brew, like trying to submerge life rafts. Tasted great though!

Hagi, TeaFridge? This is bordering on copyright infringement!

[brlarson]

My only experience with Tencha was that it left me with the realization that it would likely be best ground for matcha since it was a hard to to brew, like trying to submerge life rafts. Tasted great though!

Yup, but it's worth the effort. I brew small batches in a houhin, 4oz of leaf in 3.3oz of water, so it's not hard to moisten all of the leaves.

Hagi, TeaFridge? This is bordering on copyright infringement!

It is the TCV (TeaChat Viral) Effect. You wake up one day and ask yourself, ``where did all of the teaware come from?''

[gingkoseto]

New tea tried recently -
An Xi Shui Xian - shui xian from home of TGY. It's a semi traditional style, with both roasted flavor and fruity flavor. Nice! I guess I would love shui xian from wherever. Next to seek for will be shui xian from Zhang Ping

White Bud Qi Lan - oolong from southern Fujian that somewhat mimics TGY fragrance, but with overall thicker taste. Much better quality/price ratio than TGY. I love it too!

3 years old Taiwan Wuyi - I am not familiar with puerh but I suspect the "velvet-gown-stored-in-wooden-wardrobe" flavor of this wuyi is similar to the "aged flavor" of puerh. I don't particular fancy such flavor. But I will try the tea again after a while, since it tastes like it's not far away from the most recent roasting yet.

A green tea from Ri Zhao, Shandong. Probably the north most green tea in China. I got it from a grocery in Toronto, $2 for a 50g sealed pack. Pretty nice both hot brewed and cold brewed.

Shuang Wu Cha - a Taiwan Si Ji Chun oolong harvested at noon of Duan Wu (usually in early June, a hot summer day). I like the concept of such tradition. The tea is a traditional, inexpensive tea. I didn't expect it to be outstanding, but it does fit my taste well. Unlike most other Taiwan oolong, it's flavor is not the floral kind but it leaves some fresh honey feeling at the throat.

[Chip]

Yup, but it's worth the effort. I brew small batches in a houhin, 4oz of leaf in 3.3oz of water, so it's not hard to moisten all of the leaves.

Hagi, TeaFridge? This is bordering on copyright infringement!

It is the TCV (TeaChat Viral) Effect. You wake up one day and ask yourself, ``where did all of the teaware come from?''

Seems the forum is a source of many ailments not described in the Harvard Medical Journal. Thanks for sharing, Brlarson!

I usually open two or three or four new teas each month. Some I may have tried in harvests past, but with each new harvest, I would declare them as a new tea due to the inherent variability of different harvests.

However, this past month I tried 5 "new teas."

From Zencha, Fuji Super Premium, Fuga Limited Edition. Also from Zencha, their two new Yame Matcha, Sansui (Koicha) and Kasumi (Usucha) ...

From Den's, Zuiko Asamushi Cha of very high quality. This was a really interesting new tea, has unique aroma and is really delicious!

I would recommend all of the above as very worthy additions. Each unique in its own way ...

[RachelC]

I am fairly confident that I am truly a tea addict. Only thing is that I don't consider it a problem at all.

[CynTEAa]

Have a bad case of TCV. There's no vaccine. I'm ready to pack up all my crystal stemware to display tea stuffs!

To the poll question: yes - I've had some new teas that I'm enjoying. They are coming soon to an Adagio Teas website near you.
Been enjoying the exploration of "Anji White Duet." A China green that has white characteristics.

Happy Monday!

[Chip]

Oh, began the TD with Sae Midori from O-Cha. I have been brewing this pretty strong, but it is always neither bitter nor astringent. It lives up to its billing as a natural gyokuro breed. SweeTea did not miss her taste opp while Wulong was again just hanging out.

Not a new tea, but definitely one I recommend.

[leiche2]

Nothing really new and exciting going on in my tea cupboard lately.

In my cup: Den's Genmaicha Extra Green. I so need the boost today.

[Victoria]

Nothing new lately - but maybe later today.

Started my day with '09 FF Soom Estate Darjeeling.
Next up - something in an oolong.

[brlarson]

New tea tried recently -
... An Xi Shui Xian ...
... White Bud Qi Lan - oolong from southern Fujian ...
... 3 years old Taiwan Wuyi ...
... green tea from Ri Zhao, Shandong ...
... Shuang Wu Cha - a Taiwan Si Ji Chun oolong harvested at noon of Duan Wu ...

Gingko, these teas really sound interesting. Do you know if the White Bud Qi Lan that you tasted is similar to the Qi Lan that's available from Jing or from Rishi? Also, I can't find An Xi Shui Xian listed anywhere Is this available from any of the well-known tea sites?

B

[gingkoseto]

New tea tried recently -
... An Xi Shui Xian ...
... White Bud Qi Lan - oolong from southern Fujian ...
... 3 years old Taiwan Wuyi ...
... green tea from Ri Zhao, Shandong ...
... Shuang Wu Cha - a Taiwan Si Ji Chun oolong harvested at noon of Duan Wu ...

Gingko, these teas really sound interesting. Do you know if the White Bud Qi Lan that you tasted is similar to the Qi Lan that's available from Jing or from Rishi? Also, I can't find An Xi Shui Xian listed anywhere Is this available from any of the well-known tea sites?

B

Jing Tea Shop's qi lan is from Wu Yi (northern Fujian). The one I had is from southern Fujian, and it's made into TGY style (fisted shape) not the Wu Yi rock tea style. There are 3 sources of Qi Lan, southern Fujian, northern Fujian (Wu Yi) and Guang Dong. Supposedly they should originated from one ancestor, but I am not sure if they did.

The an xi shui xian, it's the first time I've had this and I didn't see it before either:P I guess an xi is just not the most outstanding producing region of shui xian. Even people in China don't often have it. The one I got is from a dealer who exports tea to Hong Kong, where high fire oolong is favored by many older people.