where to start with oolongs

[tjausti]

I have been enjoying Black teas for a while now. I needed to order a tin of earl grey from adagio anyway and figured I would pickup a second ingunuitea <sp> to keep at the office. I ended up getting the green sampler and started thinking about oolongs.

I love earl grey and am very excited to try the green samples. what oolong samples should I pickup while im ordering? it looks like most of them are just numbered? these numbers mean nothing to me.

I dont like the flowery teas which is why I think im not going to grab the sampler.

any suggestions?

thanks
Thomas

[teaskeptic]

Although it's not everybody's favorite oolong, I think Oriental Beauty is a good intermediate step from blacks to oolongs.

How did you like the greens? If you liked them you could also try baozhong (pouchong), which is a good intermediate step from the other direction.

And then there's everything in between. Eventually you will probably end up trying everything, so I would just order anything you want!

[tjausti]

I have not completed the order for the greens yet. I have them in my cart but i was going to throw a few oolong samplers in there....

is the oolong sampler pack a decent scope of oolongs or are there a few specific ones I need to look at? I think im going to just pickup the sampler and probably throw the jasmine one out. (I dont like any of the flowery teas i have tried. )

Thanks

[Victoria]

I would stay away from the oolong sampler, opting rather to buy a few Oolong individual tins. There is no cost savings if you throw the jasmine out. Because of the notice of substitutions, I have heard of someone getting 3 jasmines. Stick to individaul sample tins.

If it's not too late - or for next time, try #18, #40 and the Pouchong.

[tjausti]

I have not ordered yet as I was waiting for responses to this thread

thanks for the info. changed my order to your advised specs.

so what do the numbers mean exactly? are they like batches or something?


I posted a very similar question in the white tea area as well... i figured i might as well spend a few more bucks on more tea and save the shipping


Order Info:
earl grey bravo 8oz $12.00

green tea starter set $19.00

oolong #40 sample $5.00
oolong #18 sample $4.00
pouchong sample $2.00

silver needle sample $4.00
snowbud sample $2.00
white symphony sample $2.00
white peony sample $2.00

Total: $52.00

Any input on white teas?

[Victoria]

The oolong numbers are assigned by Adagio.
They have no significance otherwise.

The white choices seem fine by me - I like all of those.

[tjausti]

order placed.

thanks
thomas

[silvermage2000]

I hear that oolong 8 is good. Let us know what you think when you have tried the teas you have ordered.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I know this is a little bit late, but Adagio's Oolong #8 and Wuyi Ensemble are darker oolongs that will be more similar to the Black teas that you are more familiar with. Oolong #40 is also of the darker variety, which you did end up ordering. Out of all of the darker oolongs, more people seem to like the #40 over the others. Good luck!

[tjausti]

w00t! Just got the delivery email...

I know what I am doing tonight .... lol

is the prep the same as blacks? 4.6 grams for 16oz, 2:30-3:00 steep @ 180?

[iannon]

w00t! Just got the delivery email...

I know what I am doing tonight .... lol

is the prep the same as blacks? 4.6 grams for 16oz, 2:30-3:00 steep @ 180?

personally for myself i use half that water or less 1 to 2 minute steeps increasing after the first few to up to 5 minutes towards the end, and water closer to 200..but hey thats just me. I go about 5 to 8 infusions for each batch

[Victoria]

As iannon said I'd up the temp - I go just off boil.
I go that high for blacks too. Lower is fine for whites.

Are you sure you are going to be able to sleep???

[tjausti]

1-2 minutes? really?!?

hmm ok. Ill give it a shot. is the amount of water/tea ok? I use the ingeniu-tea and use 15oz mugs. really I use 13oz of water not 16oz.

and no I do not plan on sleeping tonight .... lol ...

[Victoria]

I'd go 3 mins in the ingenuiTea.
iannon, I believe is probably referring to
another method or vessel.

No rest for the Tea infused!!

[tjausti]

good deal.

so 4.6 grams of tea to 13 oz of just off boiling water for 2:30-3:00

sounds like a plan..

thanks guys Ill let you know how it works out this evening