A mainland version of Taiwan GaoShan

Jim,

I've been looking for a good benshan, but have only tried the Jing Teashop one to date. I found it to be pleasant, but, I think it's fair to say, it was probably well-priced at $10/100g (i.e., pretty cheaply). May I ask where you get your version?

Certainly price isn't the definite indicator, but I wouldn't (a priori) expect too much from a $6/100g, so it's good to read that you've found something enjoyable.

Toodlepip,

Hobbes

This is my first BenShan. Do you notice any similarities between Benshan and Taiwan teas? I have a good map of Fujian and Anxi and can't find it. I assume it would be a coastal mtn just to have that much in common separated by a body of water with the same environment. This one is chunky knobs like my DongTing and AliShan and will clog a pot with a bush. I really like the longer slight TKY note finish in the throat unlike the Taiwan equivalents. I don't like to pimp but since you asked EnjoyingTea. They take PayPal. I still got me pride.

Jim

HobbesOx> Jim,

Yes indeed. I think I wrote that the Jing benshan was like "a well dressed young lady with good manners". Very much in the same vein as Formosa gaoshan. The actual quality was what one would expect/hope for $10/100g: pleasant, but not "first division". A very reliable daily tea. I think the lack of endurance irked me somewhat, but that's (one of the reasons) why it's not first division. I'll check out EnjoyingTea, thanks. :)

Toodlepip,

Hobbes

Depending on how you spell BenShan Anodyne said what I did in 96. I didn't come up to speed on Taiwan teas till the Good Young brand appeared in the stores. The only other brand from Twinings disappeared years ago. If I even suspected there was a mainland tea that compared to Taiwan in any kind of taste I would have been on that one sooner. Okay BenShan has been flushed out, are there any others? This is the kind of tea when you're done with the leaves you toss them on a salad. My not so new rediscovery of the year sofar.

Jim

HobbesOx> Yes indeed. I think I wrote that the Jing benshan was like "a well

On a salad, nice idea.. not one I'd thought of!

At the moment, my wife puts them all in her footbath at the end of the day. Apparently it's good for maintaining the suppleness of skin. I'm not certain if this is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (tm) approach, or just one of my wife's quirks (heh). Last night she had two good gaoshan wulong (>1600m) and an old pu'er in there - all used, I hasten to add... quite the treat for the feet, if they like that kind of thing, I imagine... :)

I saw an article in Stephane Erler's blog on ice-cream made with wulong. Give it a go!

Toodlepip,

Hobbes