Author: James

White2Tea, Featured Vendor

The vendor profile for White2Tea is a part of our Pu’erh Tea Vendor Series, covering a number of Pu’erh-centric vendors that sell to the west. This interview was conducted with TwoDog of White2Tea.

White2Tea is the prototypical curated vendor. It is run by tea blogger turned vendor (TwoDog), who sells a relatively small but diverse selection of predominately small brands and white labels, a stark contrast with the huge, warehouse-like selection of Yunnan Sourcing, Cha Wang Shop, and ebay vendors. Despite being inherently smaller, White2Tea’s selection covers an impressive range of teas including various ages, areas and storages (both wet and dry). The price range also caters towards different consumers, some teas geared towards beginners and others to experts. Cakes range from $12/beeng to $1,000/beeng. (more…)

November 15, 2014
Menghai 2012 8592 Ripe Pu’erh — Yunnan Sourcing — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #3

Inbetweenisode Episode #3 from James. The tea is 2012 Menghai 8592 Ripe Pu’erh from Yunnan Sourcing. Topics include ripe pu’erh and big factory pu’erh.

November 12, 2014
40 Year Old Baozhong via Zero Tea Zen [Episode 79]

In episode 79, Denny & James review an aged Baozhong kindly provided to them by Philipp Abba of Zero Tea Zen. A total contrast vs. the modern, green-style Baozhong that currently dominates the Baozhong market. Read more about the tea here (English at the bottom of the post).

November 11, 2014
Menghai Ziyun 2009 Ripe Pu’erh — Mandala Tea — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #2

Inbetweenisode Episode #2 from James. The tea is 2009 Menghai Ziyun Ripe Pu’erh from Mandala Tea. Topics include the ripe pu’erh market and buying from a big factory in general.

November 5, 2014
Yunnan Sourcing’s 2012 Purple Yiwu [Episode 78]

In episode 78, Denny & James review a raw pu’erh production by Yunnan Sourcing, the 2012 Purple Yiwu. It is a reasonably priced young pu’erh that is both sweet and very pleasant to drink now.

November 4, 2014
Ripe Pu’erh [October 2014 Tea Drinking Report]
In the month of October 2014, the tea of the month was Ripe Pu’erh. During this month, I had Ripe Pu’erh at least once a day (unless totally unfeasible). I’ll still consume other teas, but the primary focus is understanding and building a palate for a specific type/genre/region of tea through repetition. This is the most personal blogging type style of post for TeaDB, and the goal is to stretch my palate as well as give recommendations to interested parties.

Primary tea producers:
- Menghai Tea Factory
- Xiaguan
- Yunnan Sourcing
Vendors ordered from:
(more…)
November 1, 2014
Yong De Organic 2011 Ripe Pu’erh — Yunnan Sourcing — TeaDB James InBetweenIsode Episode #1

Inbetweenisode Episode #1 from James. The tea is 2011 Yong De Organic Ripe Pu’erh from Yunnan Sourcing. The 2012 version is available.

October 29, 2014
J-Tea’s 1982 Dong Ding [Episode 77]

In episode 77, Denny & James review a 1982 Dong Ding from J-Tea. Sweet and plummy, this is an excellent example of a well-aged oolong.

October 28, 2014
Shopping for Bargains, The Case for White Label/No-Name Pu’erh

You are quickly becoming a pu’erh-head and have been diligently been studying and drinking pu’erh. It is a complex online marketplace due to the added dimensions of age and storage. What brings the best bang for buck in the pu’erh world? We obsess and look at factories, regions, storages, teas of various ages, vendors, shipping, blah, blah blah. What region should you go for? What age? The answers are subjective and depend on what brings the individual drinker enjoyment… However, one way to find great deals is to buy white labels or off-brand, judging the tea on its own merits. In pu’erh, what does this mean exactly? Finding deals for Dayi or tea sold as as Lao Banzhang is extremely unlikely. But for drinkers that are OK with more ambiguity, shopping for white label cakes or teas with a lack of relevant information (age, factory, region, etc.) and purchasing simply on the basis of quality can be a simple and effective way to buy good-quality tea for a good price. (more…)

October 25, 2014
Life in Teacup’s Pre-Qingming Silver Needle [Episode 76]

In episode 76, Denny & James review another Silver Needle. An early harvest (Pre-Qingming) tea, this one may be the best of all! Acquired from Life in Teacup.

October 21, 2014