The final episode of our mini-series on Fuzhuans. This tea is more similar to semi-aged raw pu’erh and has a distinctively strong, ripe fruit aroma and taste to it. Sample courteously supplied by Scott.
Author: James
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Extended Episode, Taobao & 2005 Xiaguan FT8653-5 — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #105
An experimental extended episode that talks about shopping for teas on taobao, factory tea, and finally a tasting of the 2005 Xiaguan FT8653-5.
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2014 Gaojia Shan Guan Gong Fuzhuan via YS [Episode 175]
The rancid side of Hunan Fuzhuan. This yellow flowered tea also comes from Scott at Yunnan Sourcing. The 2014 Gaojia Shan Guan Gong..
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Blind Spots (in the Western Market)
The west is a tiny blimp in the Chinese specialty tea market. Having had the experience of traveling and shopped for tea in Taiwan and Hong Kong it gives me some idea of how the market looks in parts of east Asia where tea culture is strong. There are some teas where the west does generally well and gives some access to. There are others where we have to pay a bit more and have limited access. And then there’s blind spots where the market where what we have access to is a pale shell of the real deal. (more…)
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1990s Commissioned Orange Label via Varat — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #104
Traditionally stored in HK, this is a very nice example of traditionally stored sheng courtesy of Varat. Thanks!
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Hunan Tianjian Heichas via YS [Episode 174]
This episode, Denny and James drink a pair of heichas from Scott of Yunnan Sourcing. Both teas are somewhat different from what we’re used to but are very easy to enjoy.
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1970s Fuzhuan via Varat — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #103
A mellow, aged Fuzhuan courtesy of Varat of the Guide to Pu’erh Tea blog. Thanks for this fun, mellow treat!
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2007 Bada [Episode 173]
This episode, Denny and James drink a somewhat humidly stored tea from Bada sent to us by Shah. Thanks! While this has matured, it still packs a considerable punch.
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Practical Brewing Nuances
There’s quite a bit to take into account when brewing. Most of us figure out how they work in our setup and fall into routines that eventually get filed away into muscle memory.. It can take being removed from our familiar home setups for us to really think and utilize improvisational gong-fu skills to bring the most out of a tea. Maybe, you’re used to serving one or two and are suddenly brewing for eight, or you don’t know exactly how much leaf you have or are using an unfamiliar pot. There’s an infinite number of important and less important factors to consider when brewing tea.. Knowing these factors and how they interact with the finished product are not only important for your own gong-fu but important when evaluating a tea, where you might not be brewing but are observing and drinking in order to make a purchasing decision. (more…)
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Extending a Session — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #102
This episode, James talks about different ways to extend a session to get the most out of your best teas. Tea featured is 2007 Yangqing Hao Qizhong.