Month: September 2013

  • The Price of Low-Elevation Taiwanese Tea

    The Price of Low-Elevation Taiwanese Tea

    What is the average price of Jin Xuan? What about Oriental Beauty? Should I be buying in bulk?? Taiwan offers an eclectic and flavorful lineup of oolongs that goes far beyond their wonderful but pricy high-mountain collection. Though the western world remains a distant minority in Taiwanese oolong consumption, in recent years the amount of western-facing vendors has…

  • Hehuanshan Taiwanese High-Mountain Oolong [Episode 19]

    James & Denny complete a short mini-series on a couple high-mountain teas from Floating Leaves Spring 2013 selection with an offbeat indie high-mountain selection Hehuanshan. Elevation-wise the tea was harvested well-above the high-mountain cutoff at 2,000 meters. For complimentary reading on Taiwanese Oolongs check out the Taiwanese Oolong Compendium, the Price of High-Mountain tea, and…

  • Alishan Taiwanese High-Mountain Oolong [Episode 18]

    James & Denny start a short mini-series on a couple high-mountain teas from Floating Leaves Spring 2013 selection. This episode covers a classic favorite, the Alishan high-mountain oolong. For complimentary reading on Taiwanese Oolongs check out the Taiwanese Oolong Compendium, the Price of High-Mountain tea, and the Taiwanese Tea Vendor Guide.

  • Taiwanese Oolong (& Black) Cultivars & TRES

    Taiwanese Oolong (& Black) Cultivars & TRES

    The words cultivar and varietal are often used interchangeably (and incorrectly) around in the tea community. On this particular topic there is a ton of directly conflicting information and incorrect statements even amongst reputable sources. Knowing cultivars may seem ultra-technical and seem like impractical knowledge but it can be very useful (most importantly helping out…

  • Big Red Robe Oolong [Episode 17]

    James & Denny are again joined by special guest Zach to complete their three-episode series on Teavivre.  Up last is the very famous, bold, pungent tea from the Wuyi Mountains, Da Hong Pao or Big Red Robe.

  • Fengqing Golden Buds 2005 Shu Pu’erh [Episode 16]

    James & Denny are again joined by a guest Zach for the second episode in a three-episode series on Teavivre.  Episode 16 covers their premium Ripe Pu’eh offering from 2005, Fengqing Golden Buds 2005.