lapsang, assam, what next?

Hi all,

After drinking green teas for a good long time, I've decided to start experimenting. I've moved to laspang souchong (and loved it, esp. in the winter time) and assam (*great* to start the day). I'm wondering what I should try next - any suggestions? I'd love to hear about some of the others offered by Upton, in particular!

Many thanks,

sally

p.s. I did try a Russian Caravan while out at a tea shop the other day

- but didn't seem to have much flavor - I'm guessing it was old?

Reply to
Sally P.
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Sally,

Might I suggest a Bao Zhong as an "almost" green, which you could try on your way to Oolongs, where you ought to stop for a Tie Guan Yin. If I remember correctly from a couple years ago Upton had some passable ones. Try small quantities of several. That's my opnion.

In the red tea department, I'm partial to Keemuns, which never fail, and Yunnans, good ones of which are hard to come by, IMHO.

Michael

Sally snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com3/2/04

09: snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com

Reply to
Michael Plant

Reply to
J Boehm

I would agree with the teas Michael suggested. Since you mentioned Upton Tea, you should note that Bao Zhong will be listed as Pouchong on their website.

Blues

Reply to
Blues Lyne

Upton's Finest Russian Caravan is very nice and a staple at our house.

I'm really an Oolong fan, and Upton has some good ones, although I don't go in for the really expensive stuff (which is probably superb). In the moderate price area, I like the Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong Imperial (ZO84) which they just began re-stocking after an absence, and the Formosa Amber Oolong (TT55). The Oolong Finest Grade (TT17) is also pretty good for a decent price.

There are so many good black teas carried by Upton it is difficult to zero in on a few. Lately I've been getting more into Yunnans for breakfast. Their basic Yunnan GFOP (ZY40) has a very good reputation at a low price, but I haven't tried it yet (some is on its way to me right now). Yunnan Jing Mao Hou (ZY488) - same comment. The Yunnan Rare Grade (ZY83) is *excellent* but getting up into the more pricey area.

Upton has a large selection of Darjeelings, but I'll let the recommending up to others there as I have limited experience with them.

Experimenting with new teas is fun - enjoy!

Randy

Reply to
RJP

(Not Upton, but also very tasty) I have been recently trying some African teas (Kenya, Burundi). They are very fruity. I like to drink them just after lunch.

Reply to
Orlondow

Don't know about Upton, but you should try Darjeeling. If you can afford it, get a first flush. Don't get anything less than a second.

Also try Puerh (almost any variety), since it's a unique class of its own.

Russian Caravan is a blend and varies greatly from vendor to vendor, in my experience. The amount of Lapsang Souchong, in particular. I suspect some I've had didn't have any.

Cheers,

- Joel

Reply to
Joel Reicher

Sally, I'm a big fan of Darjeeling, and I can recommend the Margaret's Hope FTGFOP1 Muscatel, DJ-293 (TD34) and Lingia Estate FTGFOP1, DJ-98 (TD72). Other estates to try are Puttabong and Makaibari.

I've had a few Darjeelings from Upton recently that seemed to have a musty/moldy smell and taste, but the ones I suggested above were excellent.

Regards, Dean

Reply to
DPM

Michael, I was in San Francisco last week and stopped in at the Imperial Tea Court. I tried their Imperial Wen Shan Bao Zhong, from the new winter harvest. They served it gungfu style, and it was excellent. I drank 3 infusions worth before I had to go. Each one was different, and the second showed the delicate peach flavor I sometimes get from good Taiwanese oolongs. A very rewarding experience.

I also picked up a sample of their Monkey Picked Tieguanyin, which I have yet to try.

Dean

Reply to
DPM

DPMOMk1c.31379$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrdny02.gnilink.net3/3/04 08: snipped-for-privacy@junk.com

Dean,

I almost envy you. Wish I were out there. The Bao Zhong sounds great. I've been drinking Boluomi and Lanyun -- both Bao Zhong cousins -- from Brian Wright (Shan Shui Tea). These are both really pleasant. I always find something akin to Cucumber or melon flower in what I consider a good Bao Zhong. I associate peach more with Tie Guan Yin or other more oxidized oolongs like that. But, one person's peach is another's melon flower, I guess. I've been drinking Brian's TGY too, which is very nice -- and peachy, I might add. Aftertaste abounds, just the way I like it -- a sine qua non of greatness. Just my humble (?) opinion.

Michael

Reply to
Michael Plant

Sally: You better go for blend now. You sounds like strong, flavorful tea. Go for Supreme Breakfast or Irish Breakfast. You can also make your own blend. If you like Assam, you can also try Bangladeshi tea.

Ripon (Vienna,VA)

Reply to
Ripon

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