California Pu-erh and/or Oolong vendors?

Actually, Daniel Ong of Royal Pu'er and Teaspring is based in So. Cal, AFAIK, but the teas are straight from Guangzhou, China, to you.

Phyll

Did he say that, or are you going off of their business address? The emails I received from him were sent from IPs in Malaysia. I think maybe the business is supposed to look like it's run out of the US, but I don't think it is, unless he happened to be travelling for the couple weeks around my order.

IIRC, their address is just a forwarding address type deal.

Not trying to say anything bad about teaspring.

w

Thanks. I was uncertain where Teaspring was and I was just trying to save a little on shipping and transport time. Shen

1001 plateaus is in Southern Cali. Not a huge selection. I haven't ordered from them (yet), but they're very nice. You can also sign up to get emails if they do local tasting events.

Up in the bay area there are some - Silk Road

ITC just to name a couple.

w

Thanks, Will. I live in the Bay Area and I'm pretty familar with the vendors; but, I spend a great deal of time in LA, as well and I've been wondering if there were other vendors lurking around. Thanks, all, for your suggestions. Shen

Sorry - I thought you were looking for online places w/ quick shipping, not brick & mortar. If you're looking for an actual store, LA's not great... but a few suggestions (search the chowhound archives for more, e.g.,

As far as Chinese tea, in no particular order:

1) Wing Hop Fung - one in Chinatown and one in Monterey Park. It's not bad, and I think they'll let you try tea... but they keep their tea in big clear containers.

Most of their pots / accessories aren't great, but good for picking up random stuff.

2) T&S Emporium - across the street from the MP Ten Ren. Have some tea, also in clear containers. 3) Ten Ren - two locations in the SGV, and one in Chinatown. The service is usually kind of pushy, prices a bit high. Haven't ever bought any tea from them. 4) Bamboo Tea House in Pasadena is worth a visit if you're in Pasadena (there's one out in Claremont too) 5) Valley Coffee and Tea - not 100% sure if this place is still here; I haven't been there yet. Pretty much all Taiwanese tea; supposedly the Taiwanese stuff is good and the mainland imitations not so good. has a review from 2003

Plus there's some more upscale places like Urth, Chado, etc.

w

good.http://www.chowhound.com/topics/55322has a review from 2003

Thanks! I didn't know about T&S, Bamboo and Valley> Thanks. Shen

Will Yardley:

Will,

I'm not sure if Daniel told me that or I just assumed so based on the So. Cal. forwarding address. I have his old email saved (can't check now), and I'll re-confirm later. And you're right...his travel may also be a possiblity his IP address was in Malaysia. His choice of words makes me think that he doesn't write like a Malaysian, though. Regardless of where he is, the teas are in GZ. I wouldn't hesitate dealing with him. He's been nothing but helpful, responsive and accomodating to my purchase requests.

Phyll