Favorite teas

I get most of my teas directly from China or Japan, or from friends that are well versed. I have had pretty good luck navigating the import waters. The quality tends to be better, the selection greater, and even with the exorbitant shipping costs it is often MUCH less expensive, than domestic vendors, if you buy a couple kilos worth as the biggest shipping charge is that first kilo.

My favorites are puerh (go figure), most aged teas, Dian Hong, Lapsang Souchong, Earl Grey, Shincha (sencha), Matcha, Jasmine Pearl, genmaicha, finer oolongs, and some friends have introduced me to some excellent Indian teas, not the mass market darjeelings but some really fine teas that I never existed on that Continent. I also like some Chinese greens with the sweet lemony and/or floral nuances but I am particular in that regard and I do not know the genre well enough yet to zero in on specific varieties.

Mike

Out of the four teas I just got from Upton, I like the Gen-mai Cha Kamakura. The taste is mild and hearty. I like the brown rice flavor. The cranberry and vanilla teas taste weird, and the chinese green tea doesn't taste very good. Next time I'll get a bunch of $1 samplers.

I think my favorite everyday tea is now the Palas Afternoon tea from Boh. It's deep and robust like an assam but it has some lighter Keemun sorts of notes. It makes me smile when I drink it.

--scott

Definitly get the samplers- they're mostly good for about six full cups or more, and even your favorite can use a break before you come back to it. When I get a flavored tea, I put it in a different category from undiluted tea, and judge it by different standards and expectations. Toci

That's Malaysian, isn't it? Where do you get it?

/Lew

It is. I have been ordering it online from

I also rather like their generic blend as well, which costs next to nother. I don't like the higher grade "Gold Blend" as much as the generic stuff in the half-kilo bags.

The Bukit Cheeding is not bad either although it's pretty stiff... I think it really wants to be drunk with milk and I don't really do that.

--scott

Standards to maintain, don't you know. Seriously, I'm with you on that. Thanks for the info!

/Lew