This is not a review.. In this episode, James and Garrett have a very long discussion on (IMO) the best English-language book on pu’erh around. They discuss what they like about the book and dive deeper into some of the topics brought up by Zhang (the author).
Author: James
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ALPHA, BETA, Yunnan Sourcing Raw Pu’erh Blind Tasting [Episode 245]
This episode Denny and James start a three episode series on some Yunnan Sourcing teas, tasted blind. Tasting has been coordinated by Matt of http://mattchasblog.blogspot.com/ and Yunnan Sourcing https://yunnansourcing.com/ . Big thank you to Matt and Scott!
The teas covered in this episode are Alpha and Beta.
Alpha is the 2017 YS Mushucha.
Beta is the 2017 YS Hetaodi.
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You Can Buy Young Pu’erh From All Over Yunnan
The custom private label pu’erh has really thrived in the western market – with vendors increasingly sourcing their own pressings directly from Yunnan. This was a new thing for westerners back in 2009 when just Yunnan Sourcing and Essence of Tea pressed tea. Now it is almost a rite of passage for a pu’erh-centric vendor, and we have access to a sleuth of options all over Yunnan. (more…)
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YS High-Mountain Pomelo Flower Dancong [Inbetweenisode 154]
This episode, James and Meet drink another of Meet’s favorite’s Dancong Oolong. The tea is Pomelo Flower Dancong provided by Yunnan Sourcing.
https://yunnansourcing.com/products/high-mountain-pomelo-flower-aroma-dan-cong-oolong-tea-spring-2017
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1997 Loose Dry-Stored Raw Pu’erh via Varat [Episode 244]
This week’s tea is a ~20 year old dry-stored raw pu’erh. Aged in loose form, this is a rarity and a treat that makes an interesting foil to the more humidly stored tea from the prior episode.
http://theguidetopuerhtea.blogspot.com/2017/10/educational-series-20-year-old-puerh.html
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2004 Yangqing Hao Teji [Inbetweenisode 153]
This episode, Garrett and James, drink one of their more regular nice brews, the 2004 Yangqing Hao Teji.
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1990s Menghai Green Label Raw Pu’erh via Varat [Episode 243]
This episode, Denny and James drink a sample generously provided by Varat. This one was stored moderately wet and is now smooth, woody, creamy, and very tasty.
http://theguidetopuerhtea.blogspot.com/2017/10/educational-series-20-year-old-puerh.html
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Tea Drinking Reflections 2017
2017 has been a transitory year for me with a few significant life changes. Part of this involved the very painful process of packing up all my tea-related things and moving from my apartment of five years. This is the first time since my tea-obsession began that I’ve moved. It also forced me to reckon with how much I had accumulated (maybe I can just get rid of more sweaters to fit a few extra cakes?). This year has also been quite different from 2014-2016, with both my consumption and purchasing shifting significantly downwards, a shift I consider to be both positive and healthy.. (more…)
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2007 Xizi Hao Jipin [Episode 242]
This episode Denny and James review a tea from premium Taiwanese pu’erh vendor Xizihao. The tea is the 2007 Zhenpin and has been generously sent to us by Darius (shah). Unlike the Puzhen reviewed a couple episodes back this has been aged in Taiwan.
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Cha Ceremony’s Aged Dahongpao [Episode 241]
This episode, Denny and James drink some aged, roasted Dahongpao from Cha Ceremony, a Yancha specialist.