TeaTrekker Special Aged Vintage Da Hong Pao

[BrandonTeaClub]

Has anybody else had any experience with this tea? I got a sample of it a while ago, and it smelled bodacious, but I think I never learned to brew it right, since the flavours were always very muted and bland. I tried everything from hotter water to more leaf to switching to a gaiwan from a glass oolong pot... But alas, the same featureless results, aside from some sweetness on the back of my teeth.

I'd like to know what experiences you guys have had, if any, to see if I should get this tea again.

[MarshalN]

How much leaf is "more leaf"?

Water should be boiling hot. Anything less is no good.

[BrandonTeaClub]

Half a gaiwan full is the max amount I put in.

[entropyembrace]

You should use a full gaiwan full, and like Marshal said boiling hot water.

[edkrueger]

Half a gaiwan full is the max amount I put in.

And that is your problem.

[BrandonTeaClub]

Whoo, good to know. I'll have to get another sample...though, I don't think a sample will fill up my gaiwan. Looks like I'm spending some money!

[edkrueger]

Yea, the money is an unfortunate side effect, but IMO you are wasting your money if you aren't packing it to the top. You can justify the costs by brewing the tea many times. Others will probably supply some tips.

[tortoise]

Get smaller tea pots and/or gaiwans and save your money that way while drinking great tea.

[MarshalN]

Whoo, good to know. I'll have to get another sample...though, I don't think a sample will fill up my gaiwan. Looks like I'm spending some money!

Sounds like your gaiwan is way too big

[BrandonTeaClub]

It's about 4 ounces, according to the vendor:

http://shop.samovarlife.com/Cloud-Gaiwan-p/1002whsm.htm

It's a good-size gaiwan for brewing for my Tea Club...is 4 ounces too big to make quality DHP for one?

Thanks for all the suggestions and help, by the way

[MarshalN]

Guywan.... these people should be shot.

You need more leaves then if your leaves aren't filling up the gaiwan.

[Drax]

Guywan.... these people should be shot.

Hrm, how do you tell a guywan from a girlwan? Checking the underside of the saucer...?

[the_skua]

4 oz is a little big for a solo brew. Generally, for brewing a tea like DHP solo a vessel of ~60-90 mL, or ~2-2.5 oz, would be ideal.

[BrandonTeaClub]

Any suggestions as to where I could get a good quality tiny gaiwan?

[bagua7]

Call yourself lucky if you ever get the chance to try real Da Hong Pao especially if you live outside of China, otherwise the tea is most likely to be Xiao Hong Pao (clones of the original trees mixed with other teas).