Any experience with this HK retailer ?

Yes, while I personally have never visited their store I do know several knowledgeable people who have and the store is reputable.

-- Mike Petro

Fantastic. This is my first foray into a decent tea shop so the last thing I wanted was to be treated just like 'another tourist' ! I'm particularly looking for some very nice Wuyi oolong. I bought 8oz of Wuyi Yen Cha from Singapore recently and find it very enjoyable. I am not certain how this one rates amongst others but am looking forward to trying a few more.

Cheers Mal Oz

DraconusOxqVg.42420$ snipped-for-privacy@news-server.bigpond.net.au10/6/06

06: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com

It turns out to be . They've got a picture of a Pu'erh cake, but no Pu'erh for sale. Can this be, or did I miss something? Michael

Click on "Miniatures." One of the four "miniatures" offered is "...our famous Vintage Pu-Erh tea." At $80 for what looks like about two ounces of tea (they don't specify) I think I'll pass on this one, no matter how "famous" it is. I can also do without a $100 glass gaiwan.

The OP was asking about visiting the store where he could see, smell, and taste the tea before buying. There is little risk there IMHO. I do not recommend them as an online source though as they dont offer enough information about their teas for me to be willing to buy sight unseen.

There online pricelist can be found at:

remember that it is in Hong Kong dollars!

Those are Hong Kong dollars (HKD), in USD that Gaiwan is actually less than $13 and the "famous Vintage Pu-Erh" (whatever they mean by that) is about $10. The pricelist I linked to above does indeed give the quantity, the name, and the price (in HKD) alas not much other info.

Mike

On the price list they list Pu-erh Tea from 15 years up to 30 - I assume this is loose leaf. They also list 3 grades of cake ranging from $HK200 to $HK800. Appears to be their own LKY branded cakes -so could be anything.

Concur though, the glass Gaiwan at $HK100 ($A17 approx) looks a little steep. Unless of course it's hand blown lead crystal of course ;-)

According to the Discover Hong Kong website it looks like they offer a 10% discount (assume that's to tourists). Mind you, one would need to spend a bit to make that worth while.

Anyway will be able to report back in a couple of weeks.

Cheers Mal Oz

>

I've visited their store and bought a cake of the cheapest puerh they sell under their own label. It's a 2006 cake. Not bad.

I can't remember how old the other two are. I think the medium priced one is 2004, and the oldest one is something like 8-10 years old. You can ask to taste before buying anyone of them. The proprietor is an 80 year old gentleman.

The puerh they're referring there should be loose. I didn't try those.

You should also think of visiting the Best Tea House, which is not cheap, but has a good selection. They have a new store in Tsim Sha Tsui (reopened after the previous location in TST closed). Free pouring there as well. The store is on Peking Road.

LKY is definitely cheaper.

Good luck! There is a lot of good tea in HK.

Drac> Greetings,

"Best Teahouse" is extremely well known and highly recommended by anyone who has ever been there. They are also associated with with one of the best Tea Shops in NYC. If your quest is for the high end you should follow MarshalN's lead.

Mike

[Kevin] well, those are not "anything". from the name it looks like the HKD800 cake is the "famous" '97 Lao Shu Yuan Sha made for them by Menghai Tea Factory. It's the cake pictured on that page:

Better to ask by email though if you're interested, maybe they have another lao shu cake I don't know about.....

Thanks Marshall for the heads up. Yes I know Peking Road in TST, will now definitely look it up.

Cheers Mal Oz

Well, if you know Peking Road.... it's on the side of Nathan Road where the Peninsula is (and where the Hyatt used to be). In fact, the store location (as I was told -- since I left HK before they were done renovating) is where the exit ramp for the Hyatt faced. Basically, if you turn in from Nathan Road, it's no more than half a block from Nathan Road on your left hand side, I think.

Yup, know it mate, I think theres a Delaneys Irish pub in the same street.

I would suggest the HMV if you are into music and CDs, the selection there is great and so much cheaper than Australia! If you have the time, hit Nathan Road and walk the straight road upward towards Yau Ma Tei there are lots of old tea shops there you can venture into...

:")

Danny

Almost forgot, along Hankow street opposite HMV there's a teashop called Ying Kee.

I find their offering mediocre, but you might find some yan cha you like there. Try the Look Onn tea, they have several varieties with flavourings, which are interesting.

:")

Danny

Ying Kee is quite mediocre. I wouldn't go there.

Any of the vendors on Bonham street will beat Ying kee in what they offer, I think, and at lower cost.

Best Tea House is expensive, but good selecti> Almost forgot, along Hankow street opposite HMV there's a teashop called > Ying Kee.

How did the shopping trip go? Any luck?