In 2007, it was estimated that as much as 95% of the pu’erh purchased was for storage and speculation, and not actual consumption (Zhang, Ancient Caravans). Psychologically free of tea going bad, pu’erh-heads are known to go a little purchase crazy. People buy and store pu’erh for many different reasons. Some of us buy as we go. Others store pu’erh as a hobby to see what might happen. Others simply store pu’erh because we bought too damn much of it! (more…)
Author: James
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Bana Tea’s 2009 Sanhe Hao & 2014 Red Yiwu — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #34
Comparison of two excellent teas from the same farm in the Yiwu area. Thanks to Carrie for kindly providing the Red Yiwu and Linda Louie of Bana Tea for providing the Sanhe Hao!
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2005 Changtai “Top of the Clouds” via Crimson Lotus Tea [Episode 110]
They’re back! For another episode. In episode 110, we drink a semi-aged Changtai that’s been humidly stored.
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Tin vs. Straight from the Cake.. 2013 YS Xiangming — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #33
This week’s inbetweenisode is a comparison using Yunnan Sourcing’s 2013 Xiangming. One of the brews has been tinned for the past few months, whereas the other was freshly broken off.
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2015 Crimson Lotus Tea Baiyingshan “Hidden Song” [Episode 109]
From the 1990s to 2015. Some very fresh, affordable raw pu’erh from Crimson Lotus Tea! Featuring special guests: Crimson Lotus Tea!
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“Yiwu” Raw Pu’erh [May 2015 Tea Drinking Report]
Big shoutouts to Carolyn, Richard, Dignitea and several vendors for providing teas and others like Shah8 for their recommendations! A brief disclaimer: This report should be taken as my own personal journey into tea and not as the ultimate, definitive anything.
WTF Part 1!? These reports have been getting progressively longer. Rather than do something sensible, (a) get an editor to reduce flab and misspellings or (b) allow my mom or girlfriend to chuck out samples/stage an intervention… I stuck my middle finger out and indulged.. That’s right! This report is even longer than the previous one and will be released in two installments. The first will cover the young tea and the second will consume the Yiwu with some age (somewhat arbitrary set as 8 years). (more…)
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Yunnan Sourcing’s 2010 Youle — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #32
A still going strong raw pu’erh from Yunnan Sourcing.
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1990s HK Style from White2Tea [Episode 108]
For the third time. It’s White2Tea’s 1990s HK Style!
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2012 Yiwu Purple (YS) & 2012 Cangyan Gufeng (W2T) — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #31
Comparison of two cheaper teas supposedly from Yiwu. The Cangyan Gufeng is mistakenly referred to as being from 2013.
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2004 Nanjian Phoenix Aroma via Yunnan Sourcing [Episode 107]
A nice, semi-aged raw pu’erh from Yunnan Sourcing. There is a clean humidity in the tea.