Comments on: Comments & Suggestions http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/ Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:53:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Sam http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-1486 Sam Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:59:48 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-1486 Hi Teaguy, I would love to meet and try out some of your tea. I tried to mail you at asktheteaguy@taiwanteaguy.com and also the ordernow email address. The email addresses weren't recognised. I'm not keen to have my contact details printed online so please could you not publish this post? My email is senslin-at-gmail-dot-com and my number is 0955 203 822. Cheers Hi Teaguy,

I would love to meet and try out some of your tea. I tried to mail you at asktheteaguy@taiwanteaguy.com and also the ordernow email address. The email addresses weren’t recognised. I’m not keen to have my contact details printed online so please could you not publish this post? My email is senslin-at-gmail-dot-com and my number is 0955 203 822.

Cheers

]]> By: teaguy http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-1485 teaguy Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:01:58 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-1485 Thanks for visiting! There's good tea all over Taipei, but you're welcome to start with our stuff! Send me some contact information, and we can get in touch for some sampling. We are also in discussions to set up some regular tea classes (in English and/or Chinese) at a community center in Mucha. I'll let you know! Thanks for visiting! There’s good tea all over Taipei, but you’re welcome to start with our stuff! Send me some contact information, and we can get in touch for some sampling. We are also in discussions to set up some regular tea classes (in English and/or Chinese) at a community center in Mucha. I’ll let you know!

]]> By: Sam http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-1480 Sam Sun, 27 Mar 2011 06:01:51 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-1480 Dear Teaguy Thank you very much for and informative and interesting blog. I recently discovered that I really, really like tea. It took me several years to get to this point but that's another story. I've learnt a lot about tea just reading your blog and I'm even more keen to get started. The problem is that I don't know where to get good tea. I live in Taipei and the tea that made me fall in love was given to me by a friend who lives in Taichung. The friend didn't know of any good shops in the Taipei area. I would love to try some of your teas (the charcoal roast oolong is something I definitely want to try) but I think as I'm new to this I'd like to try a big variety of teas. Do you have any suggestions for places where I should start? Dear Teaguy

Thank you very much for and informative and interesting blog. I recently discovered that I really, really like tea. It took me several years to get to this point but that’s another story. I’ve learnt a lot about tea just reading your blog and I’m even more keen to get started. The problem is that I don’t know where to get good tea. I live in Taipei and the tea that made me fall in love was given to me by a friend who lives in Taichung. The friend didn’t know of any good shops in the Taipei area. I would love to try some of your teas (the charcoal roast oolong is something I definitely want to try) but I think as I’m new to this I’d like to try a big variety of teas. Do you have any suggestions for places where I should start?

]]> By: teaguy http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-329 teaguy Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:42:35 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-329 Hi Daniel, Sounds like you're going to have a fun trip! I'm not too familiar with specific tea shops in China, but we have the same issues when buying tea in Taiwan. It's best (and acceptable) to sample any tea before you buy it, so my only advice would be to compare against what you drink at home. If you're not sure, ask for smaller amounts. Reputable stores are usually able to break down a larger pack into a smaller amount for you (the standard sizes are 600g, 300g, 150g). If you like the taste and the price fits your budget, you've got a good deal. Also, don't be pressured to buy the more expensive item - know what taste you're looking for, and don't buy unless it's what you want. As to teapots, check out my post on Teapot Basics here: http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2008/08/03/teapot-basics/. It will give you some general rules for looking at a pot. You'll most likely be told everything in the store is Yi Xing clay, but all the really good clays from that area have been mined out for quite some time, so be skeptical. Again, it's best if you have a good idea what you like first, set a budget, and stick to it. In the end, buy a pot that you feel happy with, and don't think too much about it. Your only other real choice would be to do some intensive study on teaware before you go. If you don't find what you want, let me know. If you tell me your brewing expertise, types of teas, and price range, I can find you some good pots to choose from. Hope you have a great trip!! Hi Daniel,

Sounds like you’re going to have a fun trip! I’m not too familiar with specific tea shops in China, but we have the same issues when buying tea in Taiwan. It’s best (and acceptable) to sample any tea before you buy it, so my only advice would be to compare against what you drink at home. If you’re not sure, ask for smaller amounts. Reputable stores are usually able to break down a larger pack into a smaller amount for you (the standard sizes are 600g, 300g, 150g). If you like the taste and the price fits your budget, you’ve got a good deal. Also, don’t be pressured to buy the more expensive item – know what taste you’re looking for, and don’t buy unless it’s what you want.

As to teapots, check out my post on Teapot Basics here: http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2008/08/03/teapot-basics/.

It will give you some general rules for looking at a pot. You’ll most likely be told everything in the store is Yi Xing clay, but all the really good clays from that area have been mined out for quite some time, so be skeptical. Again, it’s best if you have a good idea what you like first, set a budget, and stick to it. In the end, buy a pot that you feel happy with, and don’t think too much about it. Your only other real choice would be to do some intensive study on teaware before you go.

If you don’t find what you want, let me know. If you tell me your brewing expertise, types of teas, and price range, I can find you some good pots to choose from. Hope you have a great trip!!

]]> By: Daniel http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Daniel Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:51:47 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-327 Dear TeaGuy, I would like to have your advice on tea shopping. I am going to travel to Beijing soon and i would like to buy there some tea and teaware. I've been to China before and i experienced that there are a lot of tea shops, but it is really hard to find good quality of tea. Do you have recommendations about how to chose the good quality tea in the shops? Is there a list of good quality teas and producers which i can take it with me as a help while buying tea in Beijing? My other question is about teaware. I would also like to buy tepots there, but i'm only interested in the good quality handmade stuff. How can i differentiate them from the poor quality mass products? The other thing is pricing. I know in China it's a must to bargain for the good price but how can i know what is the accaptable market price. Thank you for your advice. Best regards, Daniel Dear TeaGuy,

I would like to have your advice on tea shopping. I am going to travel to Beijing soon and i would like to buy there some tea and teaware. I’ve been to China before and i experienced that there are a lot of tea shops, but it is really hard to find good quality of tea. Do you have recommendations about how to chose the good quality tea in the shops? Is there a list of good quality teas and producers which i can take it with me as a help while buying tea in Beijing?
My other question is about teaware. I would also like to buy tepots there, but i’m only interested in the good quality handmade stuff. How can i differentiate them from the poor quality mass products?

The other thing is pricing. I know in China it’s a must to bargain for the good price but how can i know what is the accaptable market price.

Thank you for your advice.

Best regards,
Daniel

]]> By: teaguy http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-313 teaguy Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:01:07 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-313 Hope you enjoy your trip Ken. Rinsing tea first is required in some cases (such as old puers), ill advised in other cases (good quality organic teas)and optional in others. The stuff we had in Taiwan is all good quality, as you know, so we didn't bother with the rinse. Master Tsai says that rinsing the tea will remove dust, but any pesticide residue or other chemicals won't be gone until you steep all the flavor out of the tea, so it's a useless endeaver. Plus, most of the vitamins and tannins will be in the first couple of steeps. When the tea is produced, the leaves are crushed so that the enzymes are released. These coat the leaves and dry on the outside, and that's the healthy stuff you want to have. If you have a tea that is aged, or you are unsure of the source, a rinse (or brewing in a bowl)might be good idea. When you've examined the tea and are comfortable with it, then you're good to go. Also, some people just prefer to rinse, so that's fine as well. Hope you enjoy your trip Ken. Rinsing tea first is required in some cases (such as old puers), ill advised in other cases (good quality organic teas)and optional in others. The stuff we had in Taiwan is all good quality, as you know, so we didn’t bother with the rinse. Master Tsai says that rinsing the tea will remove dust, but any pesticide residue or other chemicals won’t be gone until you steep all the flavor out of the tea, so it’s a useless endeaver. Plus, most of the vitamins and tannins will be in the first couple of steeps. When the tea is produced, the leaves are crushed so that the enzymes are released. These coat the leaves and dry on the outside, and that’s the healthy stuff you want to have.

If you have a tea that is aged, or you are unsure of the source, a rinse (or brewing in a bowl)might be good idea. When you’ve examined the tea and are comfortable with it, then you’re good to go. Also, some people just prefer to rinse, so that’s fine as well.

]]> By: Ken http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Ken Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:28:33 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-311 Teaguy, A few follow up questions on my recent encounter with my friend from Mainland China. He was also quite taken aback that I neither threw out the first infusions or used a strainer. I had done these things regularly until I visited Taiwan. As I recall, neither Aliang Lao Shi or Tsai Lao Shi discarded first infusions or used a strainer. I also seem to recall your saying that straining was not necessary with good tea. Do they not forego these practices on the Mainland with good tea (if so, I haven't had any there yet)? I'd appreciate your take on this, especially because I'll be leaving soon for the Mainland. Teaguy,
A few follow up questions on my recent encounter with my friend from Mainland China. He was also quite taken aback that I neither threw out the first infusions or used a strainer. I had done these things regularly until I visited Taiwan. As I recall, neither Aliang Lao Shi or Tsai Lao Shi discarded first infusions or used a strainer. I also seem to recall your saying that straining was not necessary with good tea. Do they not forego these practices on the Mainland with good tea (if so, I haven’t had any there yet)? I’d appreciate your take on this, especially because I’ll be leaving soon for the Mainland.

]]> By: teaguy http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-308 teaguy Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:50:47 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-308 Ooops - forgot to address baking soda. That should be OK. Here, we also use bamboo charcoal for the same thing, although it seems to be a matter of personal choice for a lot of tea collectors. Ooops – forgot to address baking soda. That should be OK. Here, we also use bamboo charcoal for the same thing, although it seems to be a matter of personal choice for a lot of tea collectors.

]]> By: teaguy http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-307 teaguy Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:48:09 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-307 Hi Ken, Sorry for the delay (again). We've been on typhoon watch the past few days, and weather-proofing the new place has been exhaustive. (Dry) tea leaves are 'afraid' of 3 things: air, moisture, and light. Keeping the tea in its original bag, rolled down snugly & sealed with a clip or rubber band, then stored in the tin or box, should be sufficient. For pu-er or other aged teas, Master Tsai will simply put the tea cakes into brown paper bags and put them in a drawer, or use a ceramic jar. Your friend likely either has a very sensitive proboscis, or enjoys being a bit 'snobbish' regarding teas. I think your storage is probably not the issue. Any time you open the bag to make tea, odors, moisture, etc. can get in. With very expensive specialty teas, I've had people refuse to open the can because the humidity was too high on that particular day. As you were near the bottom of the bag anyway, the tea was likely not quite as fresh as the TKY also. Hi Ken,

Sorry for the delay (again). We’ve been on typhoon watch the past few days, and weather-proofing the new place has been exhaustive. (Dry) tea leaves are ‘afraid’ of 3 things: air, moisture, and light. Keeping the tea in its original bag, rolled down snugly & sealed with a clip or rubber band, then stored in the tin or box, should be sufficient. For pu-er or other aged teas, Master Tsai will simply put the tea cakes into brown paper bags and put them in a drawer, or use a ceramic jar.

Your friend likely either has a very sensitive proboscis, or enjoys being a bit ‘snobbish’ regarding teas. I think your storage is probably not the issue. Any time you open the bag to make tea, odors, moisture, etc. can get in. With very expensive specialty teas, I’ve had people refuse to open the can because the humidity was too high on that particular day. As you were near the bottom of the bag anyway, the tea was likely not quite as fresh as the TKY also.

]]> By: Ken http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/2009/03/03/comments-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-305 Ken Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:26:53 +0000 http://www.taiwanteaguy.com/?p=1036#comment-305 Dear TeaGuy, This question is about the best way to store tea. Last weekend I had a Chinese friend over. I asked him what kind of tea he would like to drink. He said oolong and I brought out Tung Ting and TKY, both from Aliang. He choose the former, but then sniffed the container and turned up his nose. He said it had food smells from the kitchen. He then sniffed the TKY and said it was better. I smelled them both. All I can say is that they smelled different, not good and bad. Now, the Tung Ting had been open since about March; I was down to the last bits of it and have savored every sip. Everyone else I have served it to has raved about it and I will sorely miss it when its gone. The TKY he picked was bought at the same time but I had just opened the tin the week before. I explained to my friend that I don't keep my tea in the kitchen, but in a closet in another room. He then said that tea should not be kept in a closet, but in a place where air circulates, ie a window sill. He also said that I should wrap baking soda in tissue and put it in the bottom of the tea canister. This would absorb bad odors. To put this in some context, this is the same guy who objected to my puer that came in cardboard, saying that it pickup up the cardboard smell. I am trying to figure out if he has some super olfactory sense. But, more important, what is the best way to store tea? In what vessel and where in the house? What do you think about the baking soda idea? And, please, I am waiting to order some more Tung Ting! Dear TeaGuy,
This question is about the best way to store tea. Last weekend I had a Chinese friend over. I asked him what kind of tea he would like to drink. He said oolong and I brought out Tung Ting and TKY, both from Aliang. He choose the former, but then sniffed the container and turned up his nose. He said it had food smells from the kitchen. He then sniffed the TKY and said it was better. I smelled them both. All I can say is that they smelled different, not good and bad. Now, the Tung Ting had been open since about March; I was down to the last bits of it and have savored every sip. Everyone else I have served it to has raved about it and I will sorely miss it when its gone. The TKY he picked was bought at the same time but I had just opened the tin the week before.
I explained to my friend that I don’t keep my tea in the kitchen, but in a closet in another room. He then said that tea should not be kept in a closet, but in a place where air circulates, ie a window sill. He also said that I should wrap baking soda in tissue and put it in the bottom of the tea canister. This would absorb bad odors.
To put this in some context, this is the same guy who objected to my puer that came in cardboard, saying that it pickup up the cardboard smell. I am trying to figure out if he has some super olfactory sense. But, more important, what is the best way to store tea? In what vessel and where in the house? What do you think about the baking soda idea? And, please, I am waiting to order some more Tung Ting!

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