British style tea. In episode 24, James & Denny travel to a completely different country, India. With very small and partially oxidized leaves, they review a Darjeeling from Camellia Sinensis.
Author: James
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The King of the 80s: Dong Ding
The year is 1980. Ronald Reagan was elected president, The Empire Strikes Back had just been released, and Dong Ding was at the top of the Taiwanese tea world. Before Da Yu Ling, before Lishan, before Shan Li Xi (all relatively new entities in tea), and even before Alishan, there was Dong Ding. Perched at an elevation above nearly all other tea-growing region in Taiwan, Dong Ding was literally at the top of the Taiwanese tea world. Feng Huang, a township within the traditional Dong Ding tea-growing region, housed one of the highest-elevation plantation in Taiwan (~1000 meters), that marked the modern-day equivalent of 105k Da Yu Ling. This very, very premium tea was processed with the utmost care by top Taiwanese tea farmers and roasters. (more…)
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Camellia Sinensis 1999 Alishan Taiwanese Oolong [Episode 23]
James & Denny review a charcoal roasted Alishan from 1999. Sold by Montreal-based tea company Camellia Sinensis, this is an excellent tea with a ton of longevity. Watch as the leaves slowly unfurl to reveal wonderfully complex coffee and fruity flavors. A nice change of pace from the typical green oolong that represents most of the oolongs currently grown in Taiwan.
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Jushang Taiwanese Oolong [Episode 22]
James & Denny review the unusually fruity Taiwanese Jushang oolong. Sold by Tealet, this marks a nice change of pace from the more typical high-mountain tea and represents the variety that Taiwanese Oolongs offer.
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The Royal Court, Uber-Premium Taiwanese Teas Feat. Zhu Lu, Long Feng Xia, Fu Shou Shan, Da Yu Ling 105k
You are now a seasoned veteran of Taiwanese teas. It has been hard work and you’ve spent alot of time and money, but it’s been worth it. You’ve tasted and mastered the whole lineup… Dong Ding, Baozhong, Oriental Beauty, uber-fresh straight from Taiwan high-mountain teas…Alishan, Lishan, Shan Li Xi, Da Yu Ling. What’s next!? Like a hero fighting through swarms of villains in an awesomely bad 70s kung-fu film you are ready for the royal court, a family of the biggest, baddest, and most premium Taiwanese gaoshan. (more…)
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Dan Chan Dong Cheon Korean Black Tea [Episode 21]
In Episode 21, James & Denny finish up a short, two-episode series with a true rarity, Korean Black Tea. Like the Jungjak in Episode 20, the Danchan comes from Dong Cheon teas. Grown from the Hadong region, using high-quality Sejak leaves this is a truly unique tea. This tea can be purchased in the western world from Phoenix Tea House.
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Jungjak Dong Cheon Korean Green Tea [Episode 20]
James & Denny do a short, two-episode series on some green tea acquired during James’ recent trip to Korea. From the Hadong growing region they review the lovely young-leaved Jungjak from Dong Cheon teas. This tea can be purchased in the western world from Phoenix Tea House.
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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 quietly and quickly multiplied. This can likely be attributed to increasing demand, the ever-increasing size of the internet and Taiwan’s close political and economic connections with the west. With a suddenly large pool of online vendors sourcing or shipping from Taiwan, western consumers have an opportunity to make decisions and choices not previously available. Now…let’s go shopping!
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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 the Taiwanese Tea Vendor Guide.
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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.