Tuesday TeaDay 4/28/09 Best tea so far in '09?

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Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Simple, in the first third of 2009 and on a positive note today, what was your BEST tea so far? Please share some details with us.

It was a black
7
18%
Oolong
11
28%
Green
19
48%
White
0
No votes
Yellow
0
No votes
Pu-erh
2
5%
Herbal including rooibus
0
No votes
Yerbe mate
0
No votes
Other
1
3%
 
Total votes: 40
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Tuesday TeaDay 4/28/09 Best tea so far in '09?

by Chip » Apr 28th, '09, 02:50

Good TeaDay to you all! Please come on in and share what is in your cup with us!

Yesterday responders picked a black tea as one they gave a thumbs down in the first third of 2009.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Simple, in the first third of 2009 and on a positive note today, what was your BEST tea so far? Please share some details with us.

I am looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone, so, bottoms up!
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Apr 28th, '09, 03:09
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by olivierco » Apr 28th, '09, 03:09

It was a green: Tsuru Jiru Shi gyokuro.

Kaboku sencha this morning.

edit: typo
Last edited by olivierco on May 1st, '09, 12:07, edited 1 time in total.
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Apr 28th, '09, 06:46
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by Salsero » Apr 28th, '09, 06:46

Several quite good things, but let's mention specifically a very good Huang Shan Mao Feng and a Ba Xian dancong.


Image
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Apr 28th, '09, 07:00
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by Drax » Apr 28th, '09, 07:00

Pu'erh... I've had some aged sheng this year that was absolutely wonderful. I've had some awesome greens as well, so they're second on my list, but pu'erh definitely takes it for me.

Day 3 of the tea exile...
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Apr 28th, '09, 07:42
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by olivierco » Apr 28th, '09, 07:42

Guo Bin Li Cha Mao Feng in a few minutes.
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Apr 28th, '09, 08:02
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by chad » Apr 28th, '09, 08:02

It's tought to say which is "best".

My latest fav is the Oolong I picked up last Saturday. But, I still enjoy my whites, Ceylon & Indian teas, greens, etc.

I guess I'm fickle!

Oolong in the mug this morning.
Apr 28th, '09, 08:39
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by laran7 » Apr 28th, '09, 08:39

I'm surprised - I've really become fond of gyokuro - I base that idea on the fact that I like it plain - no milk, or honey(I know those are No No's for purists -) that I sometimes like with Oolongs and Darjeelings.

So my answer was green.

No tea until work time later, I must order some more gyokura - only gunpowder green available right here -

I've been drinking Darjeeling the last two days.
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Apr 28th, '09, 09:33
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by Victoria » Apr 28th, '09, 09:33

My best tea so far was probably a Darjeeling. :shock:

In my cup this morning ToT Bohea.

Have a nice day everyone!
Apr 28th, '09, 09:34
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by brlarson » Apr 28th, '09, 09:34

Zencha's ``The Ultimate'' sencha was my best tea this year. Its first couple of brews left me speechless. On beyond shincha, I have high hopes for Jing's semi-wild WuDong dancong!

Hou de's Zheng-Yen Shui Xian this morning.
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Apr 28th, '09, 09:37
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by iannon » Apr 28th, '09, 09:37

had a TKY that i really liked above all other teas i've had so far...BUT i've yet to recieve my new shinchas
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Apr 28th, '09, 09:48
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by ErikaM » Apr 28th, '09, 09:48

My biggest surprise this year was Den's sakura sencha. I wasn't expecting much beyond a typical flavored tea, but I absolutely adore it.

After typing that, I am on my way downstairs to brew some. :D
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Apr 28th, '09, 10:56
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by geeber1 » Apr 28th, '09, 10:56

I voted black thinking of my favorite Nilgiri, but realized that it wasn't a new tea for me this year. If I could change my vote, it would be to Oolong, as I have had a great one from TeaSource called Sweet Flower Oolong. Since their descriptions leave a lot to be desired, I emailed and asked them what it was. Their reply was that it's Tung Ting Oolong with Osthmanthus. I didn't notice any flowery taste so that must be very subtle.

Another steep of yesterday's Three Brothers. I'm trying to fight off my daughter's cold and thought the rosehips in this one would help. :)
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Apr 28th, '09, 11:27
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by Chip » Apr 28th, '09, 11:27

My fave tea is still the Kame Gyokuro from O-Cha, although it is a really tough call! I have had virtually all great teas this year so far! :D

Began the TeaDay with Den's Zuiko. A lovely asamushicha. SweeTea found it to her liking. TEAh stopped by the TeaTable that was pretty quiet.

:arrow:
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
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Apr 28th, '09, 11:47
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by xuancheng » Apr 28th, '09, 11:47

I am not too clear on whether the question is asking about a tea produced in 2009, or a tea the reader drank in 2009. It is probably not too important.

One of my favourite new teas that I've had this year was a green tea from Lishui in Zhejiang province, China that was made to imitate Anji Baicha. It was delicate and aromatic, but still had a deep flavour and good mouth feel.

Brought Yixing red tea to work today.
茶也醉人何必酒？
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Apr 28th, '09, 11:52
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by Janine » Apr 28th, '09, 11:52

I cannot pin down a best. I have had memorable teas in the form of keemuns and Yunnan golds from Samovar and Imperial Tea Court in San Francisco. I have had memorable aged cooked puerhs from Imperial Tea Court. Phenomenal teas in just about every category from Red Circle Tea (and one puerh brick I didn't buy that I'm still dreaming about!!) From Tea Gallery there is the Red Queen keemun (which is all tips!) and their regular keemun red which is raisin-y and delicious! And at ChaMaGuDao in Montclair NJ I have discovered some delicious keemuns, some Golden Yunnans I am now brewing up that I find very intriguing, and a Nepalese black that is a completely new taste to me

And I'm sure I've left out a lot.

I can't remember if it was this year or last that I had Phoenix Shuixian from Tea Gallery... but I'll never forget the tea!
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