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Requesting advice - a good Formosa Fanciest Oolong. Sorta time-sensitive ^_^

Hey y'all.

It's been quite a few years since I read and posted on this newsgroup, and I am much out of touch. But to get to the point, I am in search of a very good, but not COMPLETELY break-the-bank, Formosa Fanciest Oolong. I want to give it to my brother as a birthday gift. At the end of this week. Oops.

I used to absolutely love the FFO from Akbar's Fine Teas - some of you may recall, they were a wonderful online vendor with exquisite, personal customer service and lovely teas. Theirs was soft in the mouth, peachy and very very gently flowery, not at all overwhelming, just the loveliest experience I have ever had with tea, of any sort or price. But sadly, they are long gone, and the big Akbar Tea company today has no relationship to the little outfit I remember so fondly. Far's I know!

I would really appreciate recommendations. The only real stipulation is that I must be able to order it online. (I'm on the northeast coast of the States and my brother's on the southwest. About all we have in common at the moment is birthdays in the same week.) Any road, I think this would be the perfect gift; he has become a teadrinker in the last few years and always asks my advice - that's a delight in itself, the man is asking his 'big' sister for advice! Woohoo! Gotta help! Get the boy good tea! Whew!....ah yeah, I am eager.

Thank you all so much for any attention! I'll be taking your advice for myself as well, so thank you doubly.

champing at the bit, a bit -

- Rook McNamara

P.S. Does anyone know if Ennien Ashbrook still reads this group? I miss that woman.

Reply to
Rook
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Try Upton's TT57. Toci

Reply to
toci

Rook,

Take a look at

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They've got some nice Taiwan oolongs.

I got an exquisite Taiwan pouchong from Imperial Tea Court last winter. Roy's stuff is pricey, but I've never been disappointed with the quality.

Regards, Dean

Reply to
DPM

This is a company I think is VERY reasonable for the high quality if their teas -

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They are reliable and ship from Southern California. Their Ali-Shan is very nice; as is Golden Day Lily. I haven't bought from them recently; but, I've depended on them for gifts of oolongs for tea newbies. Shen

Reply to
Shen

Go to Ten Ren. Get their next to lowest grade tung ting oolong. Do not let them try and sell you any higher grades; they are a lot more money for tea that isn't a a lot better. The next to lowest grade is really quite nice. The tung ting is a fairly dark style oolong, which I think is a good thing but they have some greener ones too.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

Theirs was soft in the

I don't think anybody else has addressed the "peachy" issue. I grew up on Twinings' Formosa Oolong, and loved the "peach" quality... but when I talk about that kind of oolong now, people look at me funny.

The only oolong I have found that is grown/selected/blended (or whatever) for that quality now is from Grace Tea Company in NYC. (Though I would be delighted to hear others talk about "peachy" oolongs!)

The only real stipulation

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though, I get the impression that they are more comfortable taking orders by phone: (212) 255-2935. (I have no vested interest in this company.)

Their "Formosa Oolong Champagne of Teas" (8 oz, in a nice tin) is $18.40 before shipping. Their "Winey Keemun English Breakfast" is also an excellent blend, very accessible to a beginner, I'd think, and with a certain profundity ($13.90 with tin, before shipping).

--james-henry holland

Reply to
Thitherflit

I got a dancong milan oolong from Jing that exudes a gorgeous peachy note for the first few steeps, but I've not run across a Taiwanese oolong with that quality recently.

Yeah, I remember Twinings' Formosa Oolong - you know, I think that's what started me on the tea road - when I first detected the peach. Kind of opened my eyes to the complexity of tea for the first time.

Dean

Reply to
DPM

Y'all are swell, and have my thanks. I'm going to run around (metaphorically) pricing things, and possibly chase the (what?? where'd it go??) now-elusive peach note (argh! It really has been a long time since I followed tea closely! This pu-erh craze - ai yi!) although Shen, what you wrote just speaks directly to me, somehow, and sounds like you know just what I'm searching for for my tea-newt little brother.

Yes sure I could say 'newbie,' but I always liked 'newt' better. It makes me smirk.

Many thanks, everyone, and if anyone else has suggestions they've yet to post, please, post ahead! I'm in the market for a lovely (peachy! sob!) Formosa Fanciest myself.

- Rook

Reply to
Rook

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