My black tea palate is certainly more Chinese oriented. Yunnan Pure Gold, Golden Monkey or another smooth, flavorful congou seems just right for me now. I find even top quality Assams to be too astringent and harsh. On the green side I'm more into japanese teas, while oolongs from both China and Taiwan regularly gets into my Yixing pots. But since I'm constantly exploring new teas I expect to discover new favorites from all tea countries.
As well as appreciating the tea "standards" one should always be looking at fringe developments for unusual drinking pleasure. African white teas for example, particularly those being hand made in Malawi and machine made in Kenya. First flush tea from South Carolina. Artisanal green teas made to very standards in Coonoor. Frost teas from the Nilgiris. New orthodox teas coming out of Bolivia. Niche production of black tea in Guatamala.
Nigel at Teacraft
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