From Yunnan Sourcing $50 for a 357 g cake.
This one has notes of green tea. It's middle of the road at $50 for a cake.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
2009 Yunnan Sourcing Road to Yi Wu "Ding Jia Zhai" Raw Pu-erh
From Yunnan Sourcing $95 for a 357 g cake.
This a nice tea, but very simple. Nothing special or complex about it. Theres nothing indicating that it will develop over time, I was content with the sample size. At $95 a cake this seems quite high in my opinion, I was thinking of maybe the $40-50 range after trying it.
This a nice tea, but very simple. Nothing special or complex about it. Theres nothing indicating that it will develop over time, I was content with the sample size. At $95 a cake this seems quite high in my opinion, I was thinking of maybe the $40-50 range after trying it.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
2009 Yunnan Sourcing "Bu Lang Shan Yun"
From Yunnan Sourcing $46 for a 357 g cake.
This is solid stuff. The leaves are relatively dark in color for a three
year old cake. I started out with a quick wash, then 10 s infusions.
This is one of the few younger raw cakes that is not pungent and
overpowering, especially light on the tannins the way I was brewing it.
It is a great mid price range introduction to raw cakes since it is
fairly simple and straight forward, not in a bad way either. This would
be worth a cake or two to have a few times a year and watch age.
This is solid stuff. The leaves are relatively dark in color for a three
year old cake. I started out with a quick wash, then 10 s infusions.
This is one of the few younger raw cakes that is not pungent and
overpowering, especially light on the tannins the way I was brewing it.
It is a great mid price range introduction to raw cakes since it is
fairly simple and straight forward, not in a bad way either. This would
be worth a cake or two to have a few times a year and watch age.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Premium Bai Cha Long Jing
From Dragon Tea House $19.99 for 50 g.
This was added to an order to get a new tea tray, the free shipping enticed me enough to finally pull the trigger and get the new tray. I really liked the fast free shipping, 11 days from when I placed the order to when it arrived at my door in the US. I was expecting somewhere in the area of 3 weeks, nice work DTH.
With the disclaimer that I am not too familiar with this tea, it smelled of plastic to me. It seems like a problem of the packaging that Dragon Tea House is using and was kind of off-putting to me. If they changed their packaging it might make the first impression a little better. With that being said I was not able to notice it when brewing. I like to drink greens that have nice full leaves grandpa style in a clear glass since it nicely compliments the whole leaves. The tea was very mellow, again something I may not be used to with a green processed this way but I definitely see the resemblance to a white tea. It was not as amenable to a long session making about 1 L total replenishing the tea along the way since there were some unpleasant subtleties that that became apparent after that much tea.
With the disclaimer that I am not too familiar with this tea, it smelled of plastic to me. It seems like a problem of the packaging that Dragon Tea House is using and was kind of off-putting to me. If they changed their packaging it might make the first impression a little better. With that being said I was not able to notice it when brewing. I like to drink greens that have nice full leaves grandpa style in a clear glass since it nicely compliments the whole leaves. The tea was very mellow, again something I may not be used to with a green processed this way but I definitely see the resemblance to a white tea. It was not as amenable to a long session making about 1 L total replenishing the tea along the way since there were some unpleasant subtleties that that became apparent after that much tea.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
2006 Haiwan Ripe Pu-erh Tea Tribute Brick
From Yunnan Sourcing $13 for a 100 g brick.
This was about as expected, a cool looking brick of tea made with
mediocre finely cut material. Nothing shocking about the tea not being
that great since the brick is pressed into a cool pattern. It was
drinkable, but just a average or slightly below average tea. If I get another I would just display it.
This was about as expected, a cool looking brick of tea made with
mediocre finely cut material. Nothing shocking about the tea not being
that great since the brick is pressed into a cool pattern. It was
drinkable, but just a average or slightly below average tea. If I get another I would just display it.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
2006 Menghai Ripe Pu-erh Tea tuo cha
From Yunnan Sourcing $11 for a 250 g tuo cha.
This one seemed more like a fairly average black tea instead of puerh. I could have mistaken it for a black tea based on taste and aroma, but that is me. Average liquor and aromas, not at all offensive but very mild and safe. Everything about this was too muted for my taste.
This one seemed more like a fairly average black tea instead of puerh. I could have mistaken it for a black tea based on taste and aroma, but that is me. Average liquor and aromas, not at all offensive but very mild and safe. Everything about this was too muted for my taste. 
Monday, May 14, 2012
2005 Hai Lang Hao "Jin Hai Lang" Ripe Pu-Erh Tea
From Yunnan Sourcing
I believe this was included gratis with my last order from YS. Thanks. It comes in at about 1 to 2 LBs. (LB is the leather boot ranking, it is based on a scale from 1-5, 5 being an 5 minute boiling water extraction of 5 g of a well conditioned logger/foundry workers 2 year aged leather boot). Reminiscent of the 2006 production of the same type, but a bit better.
I believe this was included gratis with my last order from YS. Thanks. It comes in at about 1 to 2 LBs. (LB is the leather boot ranking, it is based on a scale from 1-5, 5 being an 5 minute boiling water extraction of 5 g of a well conditioned logger/foundry workers 2 year aged leather boot). Reminiscent of the 2006 production of the same type, but a bit better.
Friday, May 11, 2012
2010 Menghai V93 Ripe Pu-erh tea tuo
From Yunnan Sourcing $3.95 for a 100 g tuo cha.
In the past I have had some really nice V93s so I thought I would give the 2010 vintage a try. It was not that impressive overall, although not bad; firmly in the middle of the road. It was fairly one dimensional and smooth. The tiny leaves make it fairly short lived. This would be suited for some pu on the go, but I felt like it was not worth gongfu time.
In the past I have had some really nice V93s so I thought I would give the 2010 vintage a try. It was not that impressive overall, although not bad; firmly in the middle of the road. It was fairly one dimensional and smooth. The tiny leaves make it fairly short lived. This would be suited for some pu on the go, but I felt like it was not worth gongfu time. 
Sunday, May 6, 2012
2008 Nan Jian Tulin "803" Ripe Pu-erh tea tuo
From Yunnan Sourcing $5 for a 100 g tuo cha.
This is the first of seven from a recent order of some ripe puerh from
YS. The first inspection of this does not look impressive, small rather
chopped leaves with a moderately fishy smelling aroma. However it
pleasantly surprised me with a nice mild liquor and although not the
best smelling tea, it was not unbearable by any means. I was expecting
something overpoweringly awful from the look and smell of the dry leaf.
The leaves last a shockingly long time for how chopped the appear, I got
about 8 infusions without really trying. Overall it was very nice and
at $5 for 100 g easy to recommend as an everyday tea to get the morning
going, as it will do for me for the next few days.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sencha Zuiko
From Den's Tea 56 g for $19.75
This is really nice stuff, not the best, but very respectable. It is very mellow without overpowering, which is nice, but sometimes a want a green tea that has a little more punch to it. I will probably get more sometime in the not too distant future.
Lotus Ripe puerh
From J-Tea $102 for a 357 g cake.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Pino Digital Kettle Pro Malfunction
Beware if you have Pino Digital Kettle Pro. The plastic handle is hollow and steam can condense in it and drop into the bottom (yellow circle) right next to where all the electronics and heating element are. This caused the wire shown below to corrode over the two years I have used mine on a daily basis. It eventuallyy stopped working and arc a bit when I tried to jiggle it to get it to work. I finally took it apart and easily found the cause. Luckily I was able to get a replacement wire and connector and put it back in service. Bad designning by the people at Pino. The repair has been working great for about three months now.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sencha (Organic)
From Tao of Tea 1 oz. $2.25
This was something I got since I am in a green tea phase along with a couple of other from Tao of Tea. It was very underwhelming that was plain and simple, not undrinkable, but nothing there that hold my interest. This makes me wonder if the "organic" branding on tea means an inferior finished product due to the methods. I might have had organic tea before without knowing it, but this one sure dissapoints. The leaf has sort of a strange texture, seemingly very light and fragile. I guess at that price point you get what you pay for.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
2011 Yunnan Sourcing "San He Zhai" Raw Pu-erh tea
From Yunnan Sourcing 25g sample, 400 g also available for $24
Not good. I would not get more. Way to astringent without anything I like.
Not good. I would not get more. Way to astringent without anything I like.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Red Water Formosa Oolong
From J-Tea USD $14 for 1 oz.
This was a nicely make oolong. It has just a touch of the charcoal roasted taste, but is not overpowering as some tend to be. The body is fairly robust when compared to the aromas and made a complimentary contrast to them. I was getting some floral and citrus-like aromas some hints of lemon, but not in a bad way at all, but the smells were definetly on the lighter side. The liquor definitely has a slight red rusty sunset color.
This was a nicely make oolong. It has just a touch of the charcoal roasted taste, but is not overpowering as some tend to be. The body is fairly robust when compared to the aromas and made a complimentary contrast to them. I was getting some floral and citrus-like aromas some hints of lemon, but not in a bad way at all, but the smells were definetly on the lighter side. The liquor definitely has a slight red rusty sunset color.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sencha Fuka-midori
From Dens Tea USD $3 for 10g, and other samplers.
I got a taste for some green tea since I'm getting a little bored with only puerh, oolongs, and black teas. I do not have much experience with Sencha-like-Japanese-ish greens, the most exposure I had was from the Teachat OTTI for Sencha not too long ago that was able to get in on. This was a solid sencha that I could have gone for a touch more of the "grassy" aroma and taste. I agree with the description on the page for this one. I definitely made it more potent than recommended using all 10 g in a roughly 130 mL gaiwan, and it was noticeable. I was using 175-180°C water and quick infusions, but not quick enough to make it a little less overpowering; oh well, live and learn. In the proper ration this would be a solid everyday sencha, but lacking the grassy notes I enjoy. The liquor was a bit cloudy as well.
I got a taste for some green tea since I'm getting a little bored with only puerh, oolongs, and black teas. I do not have much experience with Sencha-like-Japanese-ish greens, the most exposure I had was from the Teachat OTTI for Sencha not too long ago that was able to get in on. This was a solid sencha that I could have gone for a touch more of the "grassy" aroma and taste. I agree with the description on the page for this one. I definitely made it more potent than recommended using all 10 g in a roughly 130 mL gaiwan, and it was noticeable. I was using 175-180°C water and quick infusions, but not quick enough to make it a little less overpowering; oh well, live and learn. In the proper ration this would be a solid everyday sencha, but lacking the grassy notes I enjoy. The liquor was a bit cloudy as well.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
2009 Yunnan Sourcing "Ai Lao Jue Se" Raw Pu-erh tea
From Yunnan Sourcing USD $4.50 for 25g sample, 357 g also available for $30
This was a different kind of raw in that it had characteristics that remind me of green tea, notably the grassy sencha like flavors and aromas. There was nothing really bad about this, but there was nothing exceptional. A middle of the road tea that I think would be exceptional if it had a touch of camphor.
This was a different kind of raw in that it had characteristics that remind me of green tea, notably the grassy sencha like flavors and aromas. There was nothing really bad about this, but there was nothing exceptional. A middle of the road tea that I think would be exceptional if it had a touch of camphor.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
2006 Hai Lang Hao "Jin Hai Lang" Ripe Pu-erh tea cake of Menghai
From Yunnan
Sourcing USD $5 for 25g sample, 357 g also available for $39
This sample was included for free with my most recent order from Yunnan Sourcing. Thanks! Now, I have not had a tea that I did not at least infuse a few times in a long time. Let me explain further, usually if I get something that I do not like I can at least apprecitae why someone else might like it and will plough through several infusions in the gaiwan. Sadly this was not one of them. The aromas were strangely muted, a very tame smokyness with a touch of 'wet forest', and did not offer much insight to the taste. There was nothing that would indicate a something I would not like from the smell. After a brief (~5 sec wash), still no indication from the aroma. The first infusion was on the lighter side, since I like to get acclimated to the subtleties, the taste and smell of this was alright. Then on the second infusion after the leaves had opened up it hit. This tasted like someone grated an old crusty tanned leather boot into shreds and brewed it up in boiling water. That was the end of this tea, it was dumped, and now I am on to the next sample. I respectfully disagree with the descreption on the YS page for this one.
This sample was included for free with my most recent order from Yunnan Sourcing. Thanks! Now, I have not had a tea that I did not at least infuse a few times in a long time. Let me explain further, usually if I get something that I do not like I can at least apprecitae why someone else might like it and will plough through several infusions in the gaiwan. Sadly this was not one of them. The aromas were strangely muted, a very tame smokyness with a touch of 'wet forest', and did not offer much insight to the taste. There was nothing that would indicate a something I would not like from the smell. After a brief (~5 sec wash), still no indication from the aroma. The first infusion was on the lighter side, since I like to get acclimated to the subtleties, the taste and smell of this was alright. Then on the second infusion after the leaves had opened up it hit. This tasted like someone grated an old crusty tanned leather boot into shreds and brewed it up in boiling water. That was the end of this tea, it was dumped, and now I am on to the next sample. I respectfully disagree with the descreption on the YS page for this one.Friday, January 27, 2012
2010 Yunnan Sourcing "Bang Dong Village" Raw Wild Arbor Pu-erh tea cake of Mengku
From Yunnan Sourcing USD $4 for 25g sample, 250 g also available for $21
This was a bit astringent for my taste which I mainly attributed to the small rather chopped leaf of the bulk of the tea leaf. Not a likely buy for me.
This was a bit astringent for my taste which I mainly attributed to the small rather chopped leaf of the bulk of the tea leaf. Not a likely buy for me.Sunday, January 22, 2012
2007 Gu Ming Xiang "Nan Nuo Mountain" Ripe Pu-erh Tea cake
From Yunnan Sourcing US $16.90 for 357g
This was the first of a few things I recently got from Yunnan Sourcings new US location. This is really nice since the warehouse location is only a couple of hours drive north of me and shipping is cheap and fast, about $6 instead of the approx. $30 from China. This is the largest cake that I have bought blind before, I had gotten a few 100g tuo's and such, so I was cautiously anticipating a bing that might get immediately downgraded to work tea. Work tea is tea that I make and drink western style in the lab, so aromas and the like are not important and sometimes accompanied by faint solvent smells. This is mainly tea that I do not want to necessarily throw out, but it is not good. The smell of the tea left me a little cautious, the soup could easily be terrible, however I was very pleasantly surprised by what was a very solid ripe puerh. This was nothing exceptional, but roughly in the top 20% of ripe teas that I have had.
This bing also highlighted the conclusion that I have slowly been coming to: Menghai ripe teas are way overrated. Of the 15 or so types of ripe tea that I have had there was maybe 1 that was palatable without the young sheng fishy/swampy undesirable aromas and plain liquor. When I started venturing into trying other teas Menghai was my go to since it seemed a large reputable source for puerh, however I have found that there is a much higher percentage of smaller name ripe cakes that are really good. This would fall into that category.
This was the first of a few things I recently got from Yunnan Sourcings new US location. This is really nice since the warehouse location is only a couple of hours drive north of me and shipping is cheap and fast, about $6 instead of the approx. $30 from China. This is the largest cake that I have bought blind before, I had gotten a few 100g tuo's and such, so I was cautiously anticipating a bing that might get immediately downgraded to work tea. Work tea is tea that I make and drink western style in the lab, so aromas and the like are not important and sometimes accompanied by faint solvent smells. This is mainly tea that I do not want to necessarily throw out, but it is not good. The smell of the tea left me a little cautious, the soup could easily be terrible, however I was very pleasantly surprised by what was a very solid ripe puerh. This was nothing exceptional, but roughly in the top 20% of ripe teas that I have had.This bing also highlighted the conclusion that I have slowly been coming to: Menghai ripe teas are way overrated. Of the 15 or so types of ripe tea that I have had there was maybe 1 that was palatable without the young sheng fishy/swampy undesirable aromas and plain liquor. When I started venturing into trying other teas Menghai was my go to since it seemed a large reputable source for puerh, however I have found that there is a much higher percentage of smaller name ripe cakes that are really good. This would fall into that category.
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