How's this shu...

[hooksie]

Alright, getting ready for my first shu purchase, and I decided to give pu-erh shop a shot this time...

So far, I've accumulated this shopping cart...

http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... ucts_id=89
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=566
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=781
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=655

** REMOVED **
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=551

Total before shipping; ~$24

Five items seems like a good limit.... My objective of this order is the more-so "ready to drink" which from my understanding tends to consist of shu or aged sheng. Seeing as I know very little about either, i figured it would be good to get feedback before proceeding. I'm not looking to get anything for the sake of aging.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Remove something? Add something? Two items too similar?

Give me your wisdom teachat.

[Proinsias]

I can't comment on individual teas but much of TeaChat and beyond is of the opinion that sheng need not be aged to be enjoyed. It might be worth getting a little new sheng as part of an intro pack.

[shogun89]

Looks pretty good, however I have only had the mini bricks. I must try to convince you to put a few of these in your card. These are much better than the mini bricks without a doubt, just a great tea at a good price.
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=611

[Drax]

I can't comment much on the individual teas, either... haven't had any of those particular vintages. The Menghai will probably be very good. I will be curious if you can distinguish much between them.

Mini-tuos (or mini-bricks) can be a crap-shoot. If you go w/ this order, I would not make that my first cup. I'd start w/ the Menghai as a solid example, and then test the rest from there

[tony shlongini]

Looks pretty good, however I have only had the mini bricks. I must try to convince you to put a few of these in your card. These are much better than the mini bricks without a doubt, just a great tea at a good price.
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=611

Absolutely. This is probably the bargain of Jim's site- 100g for a very decent shu for three bucks is a no brainer.

I'd avoid the mini bricks like the plague.

[hooksie]

Removed the HTC. Not intentionally, but apparently they ran out of stock and it was autodropped from my cart...

Added your suggestion shogun.

Also when you refer to the bricks as being sub-par, you dont mean the 2oz brick as well do you?

And new addition as well to make up for loss of the HTC: http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=521

I can't comment on individual teas but much of TeaChat and beyond is of the opinion that sheng need not be aged to be enjoyed. It might be worth getting a little new sheng as part of an intro pack.

As a matter of fact I already have a cake and a half of sheng, so I'm set in that department.

[Drax]

Bricks can be fine.

It's the mini-stuff that makes most people curl their toes with frightful expectation....

[tony shlongini]

The only ~2oz bricks I've seen are the little Douji credit card sized bricks, and they are sheng. When you're ordering, you won't be receiving a 2oz brick, rather a 2oz sample cut from a larger brick or cake. The mini bricks (or mini tuos) can be frighteningly bad.

For roughly the amount you're looking to spend, I'd get the Nanjian and Changtai tuos, and a cake of the Menghai 7572. This way, you'd have a range of styles to compare, and a pound and a quarter of tea to play around with.

[Dizzwave]

I give the thumbs up for the Dayi Yue Chun Yue Xiang (or whatever it's called)... and -- no beginner shu order from pu-shop is complete without the Changtai Banna tuocha! Definitely pick up one of those, it's probably my favorite tea I've gotten from that shop. (Actually I've bought like 8 of those... yummy stuff.) I haven't tried the others you mention though.

[hooksie]

The only ~2oz bricks I've seen are the little Douji credit card sized bricks, and they are sheng. When you're ordering, you won't be receiving a 2oz brick, rather a 2oz sample cut from a larger brick or cake. The mini bricks (or mini tuos) can be frighteningly bad.

For roughly the amount you're looking to spend, I'd get the Nanjian and Changtai tuos, and a cake of the Menghai 7572. This way, you'd have a range of styles to compare, and a pound and a quarter of tea to play around with.

http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=326

This is what you are referencing, yes?

[shogun89]

dont get that one. Get the real thing. . .
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=573
Nothing beats a Menghai shou

[hooksie]

Alright, updated list:

http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=521
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=611
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=406
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=566
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=781
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=655
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=573

$43

[tony shlongini]

The only ~2oz bricks I've seen are the little Douji credit card sized bricks, and they are sheng. When you're ordering, you won't be receiving a 2oz brick, rather a 2oz sample cut from a larger brick or cake. The mini bricks (or mini tuos) can be frighteningly bad.

For roughly the amount you're looking to spend, I'd get the Nanjian and Changtai tuos, and a cake of the Menghai 7572. This way, you'd have a range of styles to compare, and a pound and a quarter of tea to play around with.

http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=326

This is what you are referencing, yes?

Nope. That's not even made by Menghai Tea Factory. Listen to shogun and get
http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=573

[tony shlongini]

I'd also suggest cutting that list in half.
( I know, this goes against everything you obsessive nuts stand for. )

Why try so many different versions of an essentially similar tasting product before you're sure you even like it? Besides, you'll feel a bit silly when you realize that sheng is where it's at.

[shogun89]

I like the list. Looks like a good variety, you should be happy.