/tea/ general

Finishing off a packet of Yame Green today, somewhere between a gyokuro and a sencha, reminds me of a freshly cut lawn.
It's a long time until next spring.

I got some Clipper tea and was surprised by how mild it is. Normally one bag of Lyons turns the water a deep dark brown but I could barely taste the Clipper when I added milk.
I live in mainland Europe for now so I can't get Lyons, mainly hippie brands (Pukka, Clipper) and that Lipton, Teekanne, Nordqvist etc rubbish. Any good Euro brands I could look into? I like my tea bagged and with a string.

Or do you guys mostly talk about chink teas?

>>8200479
waiting for my yuuki cha order with a couple green teas. Might finally get a nice little kyusu soon

File: Wut2.png (77KB, 382x374px) Image search: [Google]

77KB, 382x374px

>>8200479
I don't think this is guac, Jeb.
Having some dank as fuck icetea again. Life is good.

>>8200524
>Or do you guys mostly talk about chink teas?
Really just loose leaf tea in general, you won't find many people talking about bagged tea in a positive way.

>>8200479
Spring 2015 imperial Yunnan dong ting bi Luo chun white tea

decent but probably won't buy again, white tea isn't normally my thing but I bought it on a whim.

>>8200479
Pretty sure the bump limit in ck is 300, previous one was at 200 still

Having this Assam with milk, sugar, and whiskey. Been sick since Thursday.

so we post here or what

>>8201096
Thought bump on ck was 200?

File: Capture.jpg (9KB, 121x32px) Image search: [Google]

9KB, 121x32px

the replies count becomes italicized when it hits bump limit.

File: Untitled picture.png (49KB, 563x480px) Image search: [Google]

49KB, 563x480px

Should I /ck/. First entry into oolong territory.

>>8202311
Seems pretty good. Want to order some oolongs too, waiting for my puer to come to pull the trigger

>>8202311
You don't need three different types. For real just get one and see how you like it then work into the subtler flavours

>>8200479
I'm anon >>8199147 here. These looked too cheap to be good so is it better to find more expensive ones? I don't think I've seen those Menghai cakes for $2 online anywhere.

I'm also thinking about buying a kyusu/Japanese teapot for my sencha/houjicha, most likely a glazed one for my first. Would something like the one in this link be good enough if I drink alone?

https://mij.com.au/tableware/tea/grey-check.html

Filters from this store are all steel mesh FWIW.

Drinking a cup of Earl Grey Cream (vanilla oils). It's so fucking good.

I ended up not liking Lapsang Souchong all that much, but I still have a bunch left over.
What should I do with it?

>>8202454
Contrary to popular believe tea isn't much cheaper in china than it is here. 10 yuan crap is shit there, and shit here. Do not buy your stuff outside of actual tea stores, not in some mall either. Actual, dedicated tea shops. If there are locals, they're probably decently priced. Not great, but at least you won't be ripped off.

File: Taiwan2014-08875.jpg (362KB, 1500x1000px) Image search: [Google]

362KB, 1500x1000px

I'm back.

File: IMG_20161020_092329.jpg (2MB, 3120x4160px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3120x4160px

Straight rose petals this morning. Much better than you think and no sugar needed

>>8199236
drinking the red buffalo oolong from what-cha
im considering buying a bunch direct from the wholesaler, this stuff is great
>>8200472
my package had a royal mail label and it showed up on a usps holiday
didn't see what carrier dropped it off

>>8202550
The only difference is that in the west you cant get high end stuff, only medium end, sometimes at an inflated price, while in china you can get the premium stuff, it isnt cheap though

>>8200479
Hey.
That's not tea.

>>8202431
Isn't just one oolong way too limited? These 3 are all supposed to be different after all.

>>8202542
Cook with it or gift it to someone who likes it.

>>8202615
I'm not too sure, as High end is too expensive for me, but I think chadao has some pretty high end stuff, so does cha-shifu. Maybe check them out?

>>8200524
>drinking bagged shit

>>8202311
Haven't tried the others, but I can vouch for that DHP. Lovely stuff.

Hong Kong-style milk tea > Taiwanese Bubble tea

Just wanted to say this.

>>8200524
teabags are like the mcdonalds of tea
there is a reason it is looked down upon
good tea does not come in bagged from and even if you stuff nice tea into bags
the fact that the tea leaves can not move around freely and can not fully expand also hold back the flavor

>>8202311
oolong is very nice and has great variety in terms of flavor
i also placed an order for differet oolongs on yunan sourcing because of the sale
you should definitely try some

>>8202311
Hua Xiang is one of my favorite lower priced Wuyis from YS. I'd say go for it.

File: Frodo_Why.gif (702KB, 400x160px) Image search: [Google]

702KB, 400x160px

>>8200524
>Be Scandibro
>Buy bag of tea at immigrant shop that sells loose weight
>Its too mild

>>8202542
Tea smoked duck breasts

Hibiscus,lemon and honey. Delicious.

>>8202542
Try it cold brewed.

File: 20161020_122044.jpg (3MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 4032x3024px

What could it be?

>>8203513
Well seeing that this is the /tea/ general, I'm guessing it's tea

Can I get some good no-caffeine recommendations please? I'm highly allergic to caffeine (bad migraines), so I can only have the 100% caffeine free stuff.

File: 20161020_122252.jpg (3MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 4032x3024px

>>8203513
Whoaaaa handwritten note

File: 20161020_122352.jpg (4MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 4032x3024px

>>8203595
How'd I do /ck/?

File: 1476991447696.jpg (131KB, 1440x2560px) Image search: [Google]

131KB, 1440x2560px

>>8203601
Oh and this, friend wanted it

>>8203578
Honeybush

>>8203578
is this bait?
stick to water hadicaped faggot

>>8203604
>kenya
enjoy your ebola

>>8203601
Damn, that's so much tea. I try not to buy that much because I don't want them to oxidise too quickly but it's exciting to see a haul like that.

Love that they gave you a sample recommendation too, even if it's only 10g.

>>8203658
Oh, just saw that they're pretty much all 10g. Nice intro pack, I think I might try it.

>>8203601
Whatcha gonna try first?

>>8203601
pretty shitty tbqh sempai. those are some borderline experimental leaves.
why didn't you order starter set with white, green, black, oolong and puerh?

also that note is some next level faggotry.

>>8203670
I asked like 2 weeks ago and people said that this starter was best

:(

File: 1472339919280.jpg (56KB, 346x427px) Image search: [Google]

56KB, 346x427px

>>8203676
well, enjoy your cheeky quirky samples. that's what you get from listening to weebs from this thread.

>Mr. Ramiz's Hand-Made Black Tea
oh my fucking god

but do report on gaba oolong, after chinalife's Pajeet did a video on that, I'm interested

>>8203652
>not realizing ebola was located on the west coast and kenya is on the east. Nice geography learning, ameriturd.

File: mr ramiz.png (607KB, 498x542px) Image search: [Google]

607KB, 498x542px

>>8203704
well, I take that back, he's got a medal for his accomplishments. well done Mr. Ramiz!

File: 006411961.jpg (70KB, 652x472px) Image search: [Google]

70KB, 652x472px

was drinking pic related earlier today, 4011 rated (don't ask me what that means) chun me
it's the cheapest loose leaf tea I ever bought, cost around €3 for 250g

all in all I thought it would have been worse

this week I've finished both my oolong and green tea from bbté, great shop in Valencia's central market, these guys have reeeally really good tea for pretty damn cheap
shame they don't ship stuff

File: 1475585628013.jpg (9KB, 300x222px) Image search: [Google]

9KB, 300x222px

>>8203102
Listen here you sausage
My mammy has been brewing bagged tea since I was a young boy, as did her mammy and her mammy's mammy. Nobody has the kind of time, autism or homosexual tendencies needed to sit around and sift Indian slave grass out of their mug all day. I don't care about flavour, I care about the strength and I need the strongest bagged tea I can get. Now tell me where I can get some in Europe or fuck off back to your gay communist cuckold festival or whatever it is you godless savages do on a weekday.

>>8203669
Idk. Any recommendations?

File: 1476033379865.png (20KB, 600x600px) Image search: [Google]

20KB, 600x600px

>>8203750
try pg tips and fuck off back to Georgia you anime loving mongoloid

>>8203767
>PG Tips
>British piss water

>>8203773
you and me well know you don't deserve better, now git

>>8203740
I googled that for ya:
>It has a dusty appearance and is generally more acidic and less sweet than other green teas. It was originally produced only in the Chinese Jiangxi province, but is nowadays also grown elsewhere. The tea is divided into several grades with numbers. Some examples are: 41022, 4011, 9371, 8147, 9367, 9366, 3008 or 3009. The number 41022 in this case represents the highest quality while number 8147 consists practically only [sic] broken leaves.

>>8203601
the Korean one is pretty nice.
other ones I tried out of that pic are the Zomba pearls, the red buffalo and the wild boar.

>>8203733
Mr. Ramiz is living the dream.

>>8203799
no yea thanks I mean, I had read that, but I couldn't be bothered enough to find anything more specific
that even isn't really clear because if 41022 is best and 8147 is pretty bad already, what do the other 4 numbers on the right mean?
I am grateful for your thought but please stop bothering with that stuff, it's not important really

>>8203750
well so being a fucking pleb runs in the family
no wonder you try to prove you are tough by blowing some meaningless insults my way
how retarded do you have to be to ask about bagged shit on a chinese image board under the section cooking without accepting some critisim
go drink some overpriced dust and be happy you fucking imbecile
you will never amount to something with meaning your whole life
also try yorkshire

>>8203601
you bought some experimental shit right there
probably everything expect the tea from taiwan will be subpar
maybe the ones from korea and caylon might be good
i would never buy at a site like what-cha since they mainly focus on different origins of the tea they sell
almost all quality tea gets made in china and some in japan and taiwan
atleast the guys at what-cha seem pretty nice >>8203595 if you like faggy shit like that
next time try to buy some at chinalife and when you have developed a good taste try yunan sourcing

File: 1465499883597.png (202KB, 872x660px) Image search: [Google]

202KB, 872x660px

>>8203914
but I do hope he earns good dolla and is not outchinked by those snake oil sellers in share of the profits.
>Mr. Ramiz, here's your eleven dollars from this year sales. Only three more and you'll be able to buy that bicycle for your poor scrofula suffering son.

>>8203676
the thing is, you paid 25$ for 100g of Mokebe and Viet Cong varieties.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/35-Different-Flavors-Famous-Tea-Chinese-Tea-including-Oolong-Puer-Black-Green-White-Herbal-Flower-Tea/1269947_1943306261.html
here you have wider selection of well known leaves. 12$ for 215g and while these are not at all premium 5xA tribute quality, they're well above your middle shelf.
I've bought the smaller, 20pcs set from this seller when I started brewing gongfu and it really helped me in recognising what I like and how should I brew.
btw, whoever put health tea house in one of the older pastebins - thanks friend, that was really helpful. I still buy an odd cake off of them and it ships quite quick.

so, if anyone needs a starter set, that's what I recommend. it lacks white tea but is cheap and straight to the point. should have been in pastebin.

https://www.amazon.com/Stash-Tea-Double-Bergamot-Count/dp/B000CQC05U

Rate this

File: 1450441701785.gif (1MB, 392x400px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 392x400px

>>8204067
top grade Calabrian oil of bergamot/10
many a pleasant evening are to be had.
just read the top review, you cannot go wrong with this tea.
albeit be sure to follow brewing instructions: >bring fresh water to a rolling boil. Pour hot water directly over the tea bag

> I didn't have high expectations for it, but let me tell you -- I was absolutely blown away by this tea.
> You can tell the Bergamot oil is of very high quality. Take your time to inhale the scent of the tea bag before you even start brewing -- it's that good.
>BUT then I drank Stash's DOUBLE Bergamot, which just happens to be the ingredient in Earl Grey that makes it so good, and I've been hooked ever since.
>1. Fill cup with water, leaving enough room for milk and sugar after brewing (if you use those items).

2. Put the bag in the cold water cup and microwave for about 2 minutes.

3. Remove from microwave and allow to steep another minute.

4. Remove bag, add sugar & milk.

what did you do, now I crave some tasty microwaved double bergamot earl grey with milk and sugar.

>>8204110
I have had it on numerous occasions, I just wanted to know what you gentlemen think of it

>>8204125
how do you take yours? sugar, milk? do you microwave or use plain old kettle?
how's the strength of one bag per normal sized mug? some reviewers claim it's too overpowering but then again, some people forget to take the bag out. let's be honest, who has a time for this in todays world?
personally I've never tried this cultivar, but when I happen to source it, I'll do and report back.
cheers.

Coffee drinker here.

Are there any teas that have an exceptionally strong taste?

I've tried countless teas but they all have one thing in common, and that being they all just taste like water warm kool aid.

I honestly want to find a good tea to drink, to reduce the amount of caffeine I intake but I can't find anything particularly good.

>>8204282
Mugicha (barely tea) and genmaicha both have been compared to coffee, I think incorrectly for the latter. Puers also have a robust flavor all their own, if you want to try something new.

File: 1449069199493.jpg (42KB, 744x666px) Image search: [Google]

42KB, 744x666px

>>8203914

>>8204282
the malty black teas, assam, breakfast blends, that kind of thing are nice

pu-erh are basically part way decomposed and are strong because of it, I hate them though.

>>8204162
Sorry I made and ate dinner.
I use an electric heater to boil water (heats in a couple minutes) and then just add sugar, sometimes a little too much. What I like about this early grey though its one of the ones that has a very intense flavor even without sugar, those are my favorite, so you could have it unsweetened and it would still be good.

--TRIGGER WARNING--
I never take the bag out, only when I've drunk the whole thing.
--

But yeah this is among my favorite.

>>8204304
Hojicha's another good one.

>>8204431
You do realize that other guy is mocking you, don't you?

>>8204282
You drink chai or earl grey or whatever mild - spicy tea after you get your caffeine fix from espresso. It will dilute it and you should be content with your caffeine levels for a bit longer, plus not so dehydrated.

You wont replace coffee with tea unless you force it though, sorry.

>>8203998
the vietnamese oolong is great and I've heard the nepal golden tips is comparable to a good yunnan black, but the kenyan oolong is kinda like blanched vegetables in an odd way and the other blacks are just decent black tea.

>>8202579
UW?

>>8203601
I'm struggling to see the deal everyone has with this.
How is tea unlike coffee, in that location grown will not effect the flavour?
For example, all Australian grown teas (just comparing black tea and gunpowder green tea from my experience) noteably taste more earthy than teas grown in China. Not my taste, but some people would like that.

>>8203750
Twinnings is pretty good if I buy bagged tea. Before getting into loose leaf I tried all the brands of bagged tea available in supermarkets and it was always the best out of the lot.

File: IMAG0029.jpg (2MB, 3264x1836px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x1836px

I'm a newbie (for the most part) to tea. A lot of this is because I don't have a good sense of smell and taste due to horrible allergies, but I've managed to get it under control somewhat I just recently started enjoying the different flavours of teas.

So far I have drank a variety of herbal teas, along with chamomile, Earl Grey, chair, green tea, black, some different fruity kinds which I didn't really carefree (mostly because they had that weird fake sugar aftertaste), and one delicate flowery tea that I can't remember the name of.

Does /ck/ have any suggestions for tea that I could find commonly in most grocery stores, and suggestions on preparation? I managed to burn a bag of the flowery kind which made it REALLY bitter. Think I let it steep to long in water that had just stopped boiling.

sleepytime :)

>>8203704
>chinalifes pajeet
He is half Chinese half white, not Indian.

>>8204970
Don't go to your local grocery store, go to your local tea store instead. Also stick to loose leaf.

>>8203750
your mom is a faggot

>>8204970
NO BAGS
HOLY FUCK SOMEONE PUT THAT IN THE OP

DONT BUY FUCKING BAGS

REEEEEEEEE

>>8205101
>tea store
>loose-leaf

What and where are either of these things?

>>8205120
teabags are literally the dust that they got by processing loose leaf, and yes there are stores fully dedicated to selling only tea.

>>8205117
Dude, 99 of the tea in most stores is in a fucking bag. Don't expect people to automatically assume loose leaf.

>>8205126
THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CANT READ FAGGOT
THE BOX WILL SAY TEABAGS OR LOOSE LEAF
DONT FUCKING BUY TEABAGS

>>8205124
Can I order teas online then?

Also, if that stuffs the dust, then would I need to be more cautious with herbal teas as far as dosing and preparation?

>>8205129
>acting this autistic

The stores around here don't have loose leaf.

>>8205132
i like dust it is yummy
((drinking sleepytime))

>>8205135
How are you not tired yet? Lol

I drink one cup of that and I'm out.

>>8205132
yes you can, read the pastebin my friend it will help you.

>>8205141
Ah ok

>>8204970
Nice picture. Like others have said, you should check out the Pastebin. I would recommend ordering some samples from Upton, especially of their black teas, shipping is inexpensive in the US and the sample sizes are usually only $1 each.

File: houjicha and new kyusu.jpg (271KB, 2048x1152px) Image search: [Google]

271KB, 2048x1152px

>>8202550
Thanks, going to relay the info.

Tried Houjicha (from Tea Centre Australia) with newly bought kyusu today (glazed, I want to use it for some sencha too).

I tend to like smoky teas like Lapsang Souchong and Russian Caravan so this one's also easy to enjoy for me.

On teabags, I still keep them for annoying guests.

JESUS CHRIST YOU FUCKING NEWFAGS, READ THE GOD DAMN OP, READ THE GOD DAMN FUCKING FAQ IN THE PASTEBIN AND STOP ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER YOU RETARDED FAGLORDS. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO ACTUALLY THINK FOR ONCE BEFORE YOU TYPE YOUR STREAM OF SHIT DOWN.

/cruisecontrol

>>8200479
>general

>>8205906
>general
??

>>8206017
>??
?

There's a pine forest nearby and the trees drop reddish brown needles. Could I make tea with them?

>>8206107
this guy hasn't died apparently, he's using fresh needles instead of dried, dried might not taste good idk
http://www.practicalprimitive.com/skillofthemonth/pineneedletea.html

File: _81542980_026240086-1.jpg (29KB, 624x351px) Image search: [Google]

29KB, 624x351px

>>8204110
>cold water cup and microwave for about 2 minutes.

>microwave

Post disregarded.

>>8206107
>and the trees drop reddish brown needles. Could I make tea with them?

Why not the fresh green pine needles from the tree? Pine needle tea is rich in Vitamin C too.

Anybody here grind up their own spices to make masala chai?

Just drank some of the premixed stuff from Upton, pretty good, but would have been better if I had whole milk instead of skim.

>>8204970
>one delicate flowery tea that I can't remember the name of.
>bitter when burnt
Jasmine?
Anyway, even if it wasn't, you'll like that.
And I'll extend from the REEE-fag, and mention that bagged tea won't be as flavoursome as a loose leaf, which will help with your allergies affected taste. You can get cheap Jasmine Green tea from your local Asian grocer, even when I lived in a smaller town I could find it.

>>8205591
How is the quality of Tea Centre?

>>8206359
The water is heated in a microwave.
By no means do the water molecules heat any more different than over a traditional fire pit. This is not like microwaving food, which has volatile constituents.

>>8207532
faggots that get triggered over microwave water are fucking retarded

>>8207529
the stuff that's in the orange tin labeled "the au jasmin" or something is pretty decent and seems to be at every chinese market i go to

>>8207532
>>8207545
>how to spot amerifats

File: Sunflower.jpg (50KB, 500x500px) Image search: [Google]

50KB, 500x500px

>>8207664
Sunflower brand. It's nice stuff for the price.
I remember reading somewhere that the bigger tins are better because they have more flower pieces. Dunno if it's true but it would make sense.

>>8208020
i'm not the allergies guy, but yeah. i had it at my chinese friend's grandma's house a while ago. i've been having a hard time finding sea dyke that isn't the "da hong pao" in markets.

>>8208020
The flowers are the cheapest part. If you want more, just buy them.

>>8208280
It's already a very cheap tea anyway.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

Bai Mu Dan
from Taimushan
in my gaiwan

>>8207787
Not American
Never owned a microwave either. I just use an electric kettle. Maybe that'll hint where I'm from.
But yeah, you're pretty retarded.

>>8208020
This was one of my first tries with loose leaf.
>>8208280
Where do you buy food grade Jasmine? Only seen food grade marigold and rose petals.

>>8208595
Where did you get that gaiwan and prayer wheel?

>>8208622
Gaiwan was from chinalife, prayer wheel was just rescued from a bric-à-brac stall years ago.

>>8208657
The gaiwan is a nice color. I believe Kakuzo Okakura said that light blue was the favored cup color of the Tang dynasty, who primarily consumed darker cake teas.

>>8208669
I need to read the Book of Tea now.

>>8200479
Good old Jasmine. That shit's half the reason I go to Chinese restaurants (decent sit-down deals, not city wok take out)

>>8207529
Tea Centre's good. If you go to the store they put their teas in large individual tins, and they will measure the tea for you as you order (they also open the tin for you and let you smell/see the tea inside). Most of the time people in store know what they're talking about too.

File: cover.jpg.rendition.460.707.png (23KB, 460x666px) Image search: [Google]

23KB, 460x666px

>>8208698
You should its pretty good an runs for cheap in this edition

File: vYNTrFB.jpg (95KB, 415x454px) Image search: [Google]

95KB, 415x454px

I ordered the whatcha introduction to tea.

What am I in for /ck/?

i feel like a retard for asking
should i wash a gaiwan with soap?

>>8208900
Some anon here received the same thing yesterday, scroll up, its mostly teas from non traditional tea places(apart from two or three) I think its more useful for someone who knows the standard chinese/indian ones so you can draw the difference, probably still solid tea regardless

>>8209023
You can, its glazed so it wont absorb it, just make sure you rinse it well, tbH there's no need if you discard the leaves after each session and rinse with a bit of hot water, if there are stains you can remove them easily with hot water and a towel/piece of cloth

>>8209025
It is solid tea. The people shitting on what-cha haven't actually had any of these teas.

>no yerba mate
do you goyim even drink tea?

>>8209283
That's a tisane, friend.

I have been enjoying oolong from Mountain Tea lately, but can I get better quality stuff for a better price on Aliexpress? The thought of getting tea from Aliexpress doesn't settle well with me.

>>8209290
In the underworld, a great ox costs only a penny.

File: index_logo.png (6KB, 179x74px) Image search: [Google]

6KB, 179x74px

Has anybody tried tea from Tenfu?
Looks like the only big Chinese distributor that sells stuff worldwide (through an aliexpress official store)
I greatly like the idea of buying Chinese tea from a Chinese distributor via a Chinese website, but does anybody know if any of their teas are any good?
PS please if you wanna suggest alternatives mind that I'm in the EU thank you very much good night

>>8209290
>better quality
debatable
>better prices
absolute

I get all my tea from aliexpress and so far nothing to complain, just look for good sellers.

I fucked up
Bought a bunch of fucking blends because they smell really nice but tastes nowhere near as good as they smell

Any non shitty blends /ck/ would recommend?

I kind of want to join a tea of the month club, but they either give you way too much tea per month or I can't specify that I want low caffeine teas.

>>8209966
Breakfast and afternoon blends are always nice when you want tea with milk.

>>8207529
Thank you very much.

Apologies for not reading the OP all the way before posting.

>>8209966
Dont buy tea with artificial flavours/aromas, problem solved

>>8210042
Are all teas that have aromas automatically trash?
Besides Jasmine and all

>>8210142
Earl Grey can be nice, good in a London fog too.

>>8210142
no, i meant artificial aromas, as in it gets sprayed with some sort of concentrate, jasmine gets its aroma from the jasmine flowers(if it's good quality, there's a lot of artificially flavoured jasmine tea), another common practice is to spray the fruit bits in those tea fruit blends with fruit aroma, if you actually taste a bit of the fruit you see it doesn't match

File: mate.jpg (41KB, 400x300px) Image search: [Google]

41KB, 400x300px

Does mate count?

>>8210237
Enjoy your carcinogens.

>>8210237
Sure. I like the occasional pot of mate with guayasa, rooibos, and something else to add flavor. It's still not tea tho

>>8210311
pretty sure the cancer risk is just due to the high temperatures at which it's traditionally drunk

>>8210237
mate is fucking disgusting

>>8200479
AYO JEB
LIGHT THAT SHIT UP SENPAI

where do you fellas like to source your taiwanese oolongs
dong dings and such

>>8210041
All good here
Shit about reading the OP/stickies is the same for every board, not just the culture here thankfully. Hopefully you understand and will come check in on future /tea/ threads.

>>8208792
Fair enough then

>>8209973
Looks like a hole in the market then. I'd be interested in order a tea of the month provided the samples are smaller too.

File: image.jpg (131KB, 564x560px) Image search: [Google]

131KB, 564x560px

Yerba Mate is the only reason I live

>>8209925
Careful where you buy Chinese teas, many of them grow their tea with no consideration at all. Chinese are notorious for spraying their crops with horrible toxic pesticides that go right into your cup. Since they have 1.3 BILLION people they don't care about their health as a culture, and so they treat the world the same way.

If you can aim for organic tea brands and hope to god they're legit.

>>8211684
>Since they have 1.3 BILLION people they don't care about their health as a culture, and so they treat the world the same way.
Stop talking out of your ass, a large population is not why. Communist government for ~70 years is why.

>>8211920
>Communist government for ~70 years is why

Forgetting the US has poisoned and is poisoning its food, water, air and soil for far longer than 70 years, and without the all too few regulations in existence it would even be worse. Thank you very much, unbridled Capitalism.

File: 1470529630843.jpg (17KB, 351x344px) Image search: [Google]

17KB, 351x344px

I just spent the last of the money in my wallet on tea. I went to a tea house in town to buy some Ali Shan for like 7 bucks, but because I'm a socially awkward fuck I was asked into sitting down and ordering a cup there. I didn't know what I was expecting, but it was just a fancier tieguanyin.
So I was going to buy some loose Da Hong Pao instead for a qt Asian friend I know, but they had run out of that so I bought considerably more expensive Nok Cha and Feng Huang Cong.
I spent almost 40 dollars when I was looking to spend under 10.

>>8204059
>https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/35-Different-Flavors-Famous-Tea-Chinese-Tea-including-Oolong-Puer-Black-Green-White-Herbal-Flower-Tea/1269947_1943306261.html
alright I ordered this one, thanks for the recommendation
if that tea isn't good I'll come find you tho
if it is I'll try and write a decent review of each one so the next poor fucker doesn't necessarily have to spend €11 and hours on aliexpress/wikipedia to get info about tea

>>8211684
you again nig, understand that the best tea is grown on china.

>>8212023
US pollution is nothing compared to Chinese.

My favorite tea is the Turkish Tea.

>>8212150
my man
you let them fuck you

So I've never really tried a real tea before, what would you guys recommend i try first?

>>8212023
Okay, Alex Jones.

>>8213714
But they keep getting away with it because they let the Chinese take the attention away.

>>8203102
>there is a reason it is looked down upon

Hipsters and try hards waving their e-peen?

>check the coffee thread
>realize it's actually better than tea atm
How did these tea threads become so utter shit?

>>8211684
thank you for the very vague warning that's been mentioned some times in the thread already
>if you can aim for organic tea brands and hope they're good
you do sound like a hipster that cares about things being labeled as organic more than anything
if I can't know if the tea I buy is relatively toxic (even if the seller guarantees it's good), and a lot of teas from Chinese distributors are labeled 5A when they obviously aren't, what's the value of an "organic" label?

>>8214065
>Newfags asking same questions over and over.
>Teabags vs loose leaf
>yerba mate shills
>my tea (source) is objectively better than your tea (source)
>almost nobody actually discussing or drinking tea

the only new tea i tried recently was a black tea perfumed with cardamom and i was like hey! that's really good, very interesting taste and quite different than other teas i had who had a "strong personality" like russian caravan or pu erh . would recommend.

>>8214568
I don't know why I'm still here desu

File: IMAG0232.jpg (69KB, 551x974px) Image search: [Google]

69KB, 551x974px

>>8214065
>>8214568
>>8214591
you guys are right this theard sucks ass
lets try to make it better
i am currently drinking some anji bai cha from chinalife
the leaves are very pale, long and thin
and the taste is roughly the same as some dragonwell
even though i am using quiet a lot of leaves it is not as strong
i am also awaiting a big package from yunansourcing with a yixing pot and different oolongs

File: YS.png (41KB, 699x384px) Image search: [Google]

41KB, 699x384px

>>8214945
>i am also awaiting a big package from yunansourcing with a yixing pot and different oolongs
I'm awaiting some puer from ys and made this order today, super excited, I'm aware this is on the cheaper end of yixing but seems nice regardless
Currently drinking some yunnan black from a local store, nothing fancy but its nice

File: 20161024_183028.jpg (2MB, 4128x2322px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4128x2322px

>>8214945
>>8215111
My setup
W2c cha hai?

Currently drinking rooibos. Pleasant, slightly sweet flavor that reminds me of honey. Perfect for cold weather. Try it.
So, /tea, what are other tasty tisanes? Some good self-made blends?
And how do you choose your tisane brand? How do you avoid shitty ones?

>tfw just watched an episode about Kevin Gascoyne
Is he really that good? Should I visit one of his tea salon next time I'm in Montreal?

File: 240px-Mentha_pulegium.jpg (13KB, 240x301px) Image search: [Google]

13KB, 240x301px

>>8215282
not sure where to buy it, i get it from a friend who has it in his garden, but pennyroyal is very nice

drinking some 2012 xiaguan sheng. balsam for the soul

>>8214945
That's a nice gong dao bei

I just had some Sencha today. That first infusion is always so damn good. Tomorrow I'll start gong fu brewing with my new set.

>>8215361
what would you say differs from sencha to chinese greens?
Never had jap teas or a lot of green teas in general, just fell in love with puer right away

>>8215111
i bought the same pot but i am not sure what i am going to use it for
i only have a few puers but i am buying more >>8215174
what is your opinion on tea trays?

>>8215282
i had around 100 gramms of flavoured roibois but it did not blew me away
i used alot and let it step for 8 minutes but it was still pretty weak
it goes well with a bit sugar

>>8214945
>>8215111
>waiting on YS
maximum jelly. I tried to order a few days ago but it won't accept my card. Fucking greeceshit. Anyway, waiting on a 300ml glass pot for my greens, should be here this week.

>>8215282
I like greek mountain tea (sideritis). It's a balkan tisane. Bretty good with honey, I usually have it at night.

>>8215368
I had sencha from a chinese market in the netherlands a few years back. Looking back now, it was probably bottom tier. Taste was nice, quite savory with a little astringency. However, I did not like the smell at all. It smelled like rotten pussy.

>>8215368
i only tried different sencha but i have to say i like them very much
i also have some gyokuro which i am going to try
jap teas generally have very small leaves and some litte bits
just try some sencha with 80° celsius for less than 1 minute and you will be fine

>>8215368
Sencha is a bit more on the savoury side but it's pretty sweet at the same time, however it isn't as light and fruity as many Chinese greens are. I love them both tho but I tend to prefer the more robust ones.

>>8215461
i would go for a smaller glasspot if you want to do multiple infusions since you would be drinking alot
mine is for 200 ml

>>8215461
Shut up

File: toyokuni3.jpg (296KB, 1017x1500px) Image search: [Google]

296KB, 1017x1500px

>at the end of a bag
>everything is pulverized
>steeps in 30 seconds
>leaves residue outside the strainer
mfw every time

>>8215496
I don't brew gongfu daily, rather I use 2 tsp of leaves for 150ml. So 300 would still be ok, while allowing for an extra serving for a friendly occasion. I plan to get a small gaiwan for myself later on.

>>8215437
>what is your opinion on tea trays?
I would like one but he ones on ali seem to be too small/ low quality, good sites usually don't have free shipping (at least not to my country) and because of the volume/weight the shipping is through the roof, last week talked to a carpenter about him making me one, wouldn't mind spending the 40-50 euro on it but I'm prioritizing getting more tea atm
>>8215461
>won't accept my card
doesn't your bank offer a service in which you create virtual one use only credit cards? thats how I do it
you can also make a paypal and link your debit account

>>8215574
Nah I've tried, doesn't work. It's the banking system and its capital controls that have created problems in online payments. Which is pretty shitty considering I can pay e.g. in aliexpress, ebay, banggood.

File: nichi (2).jpg (476KB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

476KB, 1920x1080px

>first time making tea
>follow some retards advice, putting 1/2 cup of green tea, 2 cups of water
>boil the tea
>wait 15 minutes so it "absorbs" the flavor
>drink it

fuck me
I knew I should have at least checked around before doing something retarded

>>8216260
hahaha retard

>>8205591
Where did you get that kyusu? I want one.

Damn, the customs stopped my ys package, will have to pay the damn jews like 50 euros to get it

>>8217720
do they not mark down? I recently got a $120 sweater marked down to $1 and get through without any issues

>>8217736
Hopefully they do, not very confident though, Ive heard stories where they claim it to be fake, I wish pu didnt look like drugs

>>8217753
my package even had an invoice with the real price on the inside lmao
maybe they just decided to not give a shit that day

>>8217754
just came back from customs, weird, their system crashed, I was asking the lady for some info, and she just told me to give her the invoice and the parcel would be delivered to my house, hopefully I wont have to pay taxes

>>8217736
>do they not mark down?

As someone who sells a lot of things online, this can be problematic.

On the one hand we sellers do want to help out or customers by marking down the value.

OTOH, we can't insure a package for more than the value we mark on it. So if the package gets lost or stolen then there is no insurance to replace it.

Got a giant order from YS this weekend. I can't stop drinking tea now.

I bought every spring 2016 harvest black tea under $10/100g and a small sampling of Wuyi and Dancongs. Also my previous gaiwan broke so I bought an easy pour gaiwan which is pretty fun to use. I will post reviews if anyone is interested or I get bored one night.

>>8218364
Id love to hear them, always looking for something nice to tack on to my next order

Anyone have any advice for preparing milk tea? I have some Nepali CTC black tea, but the four times I tried preparing milk tea, it came out mostly tasting like milk with a very mild tea flavor.

>>8218506
maybe brew the tea longer, because of the milk id assume bitterness isnt an issue

>>8218506
You have to overbrew the tea (like crazy I'd pressume) and use evaporated milk. The exact steps you need to Google.

Taiwan Jin Xi'an Milk Oolong Tea smells like butter.

This is my first oolong and I'm not very impressed.

>>8219200
I've tried a bunch of Oolongs now and honestly the only good ones were the oxidized and roasted ones, especially the ones with sweeter notes.

>>8219200
The Taiwan Oolongs have a lot of praise, but I just don't get it. Da Hong Pao and Tiguanyin are my favorite oolongs, with the former being my favorite tea in general.

Anybody here order from Oleg before?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1735412?spm=2114.10010108.100005.2.PXxTmj

>>8219686
Never but his prices seem adequate for what he's selling, dont think the factory cakes are fake at least

>>8218506
You'll definitely need to concentrate your tea if you're going to be making a milky cocktail out of it.
Use less water, more leaves, brew longer.

File: 1.jpg (110KB, 960x640px) Image search: [Google]

110KB, 960x640px

>>8219718
Fair enough. If he's adequate, then who is better?

I think I gotta appreciate the photos of himself he splashes everywhere. It will hold himself accountable if the tea is cheap/bad quality I'd imagine, rather than being just another anonymous Chinaman

>>8219748
Not what I meant with adequate, i meant the prices and the products match so its less likely they are fake, the major concern with ali, will probably get one or two cakes from him when my yunnan sourcing parcel arrives so I can see if they are the same (will buy the same menghai cake), ys shipping gets expensive to backwoods yurope

File: 11363746_1412306155760705_2087335821_n.jpg (22KB, 480x480px) Image search: [Google]

22KB, 480x480px

>>8203750
>Nobody has the kind of time, autism or homosexual tendencies needed to sit around and sift Indian slave grass out of their mug all day.

I beg to differ, fuckboy. Now get the fuck out.

>>8219748
that photo of him with the stalin puerh cake always gets me

>>8219775
Ahh, fair enough. I'm a noob to puerh, though not to Aliexpress. Ausfag, hence why I'm checking out Ali for orders.

>>8220279
The packaging sounds like an interesting conversation piece/collectable. I'm considering.
Have you ever ordered from him or have you just lurked?

>>8219200
Light/green Oolongs are pretty meh in my opinion, tieguanyin is ok but that's about it. Heavily oxidized or roasted ones however are some of my favourites tea types overall. Oolong tea is such a broad spectrum, can't judge it on a certain type.

my first time having raw pu erh and it feels like a gunpoeder green i had earlier but it tastes more like old person

>>8220553
Wow, what a great pallate. This board really needs you. Never leave.

>>8220628
i'm a barista
dialing espresso all day fucks up my palate
i just want to put my autism into a drink at home that isn't coffee
i'm trying
i'm pretty sure it's a shit raw anyways

>>8200479
friend from china went back home for a little and brought me back some "high end" tea. its been like 2 months and i havent used it. does tea expire?

>>8220655
>i'm a barista


Nearly every poster on this thread has the excuse of having a HFCS and sodium diet to overcome. You're doing pretty good.

>>8220670
i honestly can't tell if you're being passive aggressive or not
anyways, it was a little sample of this: http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_28&products_id=2345

I'll never get this tea obsession with westerners. You get fancy, expensive tea and then ruin it with fucking milk and shit.

And treat tea like some sacred shit or super high class fancy crap. Most of the time it's just a water substitute in China. Like, sure sometimes you wanna appreciate it and do fancy infusions and stuff, but most of the time you just brew a big pot and put it in the thermos.

Still, there's nothing better than climbing Lao Shan at 5 AM, when the mist is just starting to clear, and all the tea salesmen are out on the mountain pass with their giant woks, frying tea to sell. That smell is intoxicating.

>>8220660
No

>>8220723
Are you implying we're not allowed to enjoy something more than you do simply because we can?

>>8220723
I don't think anybody who buys expensive tea uses milk or sugar on it

Is it weird that I put a lemon wedge in my morning earl grey?

Also anyone drink specific teas at specific times? For me at night it's always a cup of rooibos, for instance.

>>8220872
Is it weird that I take a shit every morning?

File: IMAG0234_BURST007.jpg (209KB, 1723x974px) Image search: [Google]

209KB, 1723x974px

drinking some milky oolong
have you guys tried brewing it at a colder temperature like 194° to get more of the sweetness?
i usually brew all oolong with boiling water but this one seems to lose its sweetness

File: IMG-20161026-WA0001.jpg (504KB, 1456x2592px) Image search: [Google]

504KB, 1456x2592px

>>8221421
I actually brewed some now lmao ( it's actually a blend of milk oolong and other teas). I think the initial steep should be near boiling but for subsequent steeps you can use a cooler temperature. The good thing about milk oolong is that it tastes better the more you steep it.

File: tumblr_oeome43Qrc1r7k0ggo4_400.gif (2MB, 268x268px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 268x268px

I dont GET tea and i dont think i ever will

I think you all just live in freezing cold climates thats why you enjoy tea

I live in the south and tea doesnt make any sense to consume

so you guys need to stop pretending like tea is a thing and just admit that youre freezing cold

>>8221455
I will admit that I don't drink tea (or not as much) during the summer. But it doesn't mean tea is not a thing. In the southern US they have all kinds of different teas that they serve cold or iced. Maybe that would be better for you.

File: 14280545_1115059188530796_7702831009934344192_n.jpg (165KB, 750x937px) Image search: [Google]

165KB, 750x937px

theres no health benefits to tea, once you steep the leaves and put them under high temperature you kill off all the antioxidants

the only people getting any antioxidants are the people who cold brew their shit

also not even very much considering how few leaves youre fusing into the water compared to lets say using a juicer to juice dozens of plants at one time for the nutritional value

its effectively doing nothing because the content is so little

>>8221468
yes iced tea its unhealthy and it sucks

>>8221447
>The good thing about milk oolong is that it tastes better the more you steep it.
It doesn't work like that, anon.

>>8221455
all the sand coons drink tea cause it causes you to sweat meaning your body is gonna try to cool down

>>8221470
Iced tea is not unhealthy. Maybe you're thinking of sweet tea where they put a pound of sugar in the tea then I would agree with you it's unhealthy. Iced tea is just cold aromatized water. Do you have a problem with aromatized water? Does it bother you that people drink tea because of the subtle aromas? Or simply because they enjoy it? Maybe this place isn't for you I suggest you find some place else where you would be happier.

>>8221482
How does it work like then? Please explain

File: jessica-jung.jpg (110KB, 719x960px) Image search: [Google]

110KB, 719x960px

>>8221513
why dont you just drink infusion water with cucumber and mint and strawberries

why the FUCK would you use old shitty moldy brown leaves from fucking cambodia

with caffeine and pesticides and oxalates

tea has an aroma alright, one that tastes like dirt and mud.

plenty of better aromas out there

>>8221524
>hating tea
>in a tea thread
really original shitpost, I award you 5 meme points.

>>8220660
Yes, some faster than others. Two months is probably fine, but the taste starts to diminish after around six months for most teas I've found.

File: 83f88688506cba0650cad82ce3560a36.jpg (33KB, 564x477px) Image search: [Google]

33KB, 564x477px

>>8221524
That comes down to a question of taste and preference. Are you gonna bash people who enjoy stanky artisanal cheese? Should we eat Kraft singles and shitpost on a Mongolian horse milking board like you? How about you drink your watermelon cucumber mint infusion and fuck off
Pic related

File: jessica-jung-weibo.jpg (86KB, 640x853px) Image search: [Google]

86KB, 640x853px

>>8221556
naw i think its more like thats all theyve ever done their whole life and they have easy access to tea and affordability

i think tea and coffee objectively taste bad

infusion water though is good even without adding sweetener

stop posting that nasty robo gook there will ya

>>8221567
Tea and coffee objectively taste bitter but that does not necessarily equate to bad. Maybe you should develop your palate before making final judgements on things. You are not an authority on food or drinks your opinion does not matter.

>>8218499
Awesome, here's one from last year. The 2016 harvest has a slightly stronger aroma/flavor but not too much of a difference. Still my go to daily drinker, especially grandpa style.

Jing mai wild arbor spring 2015

>Dry leaves: slight raisin, sweet

>First infusion: Light raisin

>Second infusion: strong initial malt flavor, light raisin after taste

>Third infusion: very strong malt flavor, honey, light raisin

Overall decent daily drinker. For the price you can do better but you can't do worse. Compared to other Chinese black teas not as malty but slightly more honey/raisin.

I have pictures for the dry leaves and infusions for some reasons they aren't uploading here. I'll post more once I drink more.

>>8221567
your shitposting is confusing
you post with a weeb pic and in a tea thread of all places
if you keep that up you could work for CTR

I am in Taiwan. What should I buy?

File: 7lZwLKc.jpg (85KB, 511x606px) Image search: [Google]

85KB, 511x606px

>>8221725
Go to a market.

What do you like personally?

>>8221725
Of you have time go to wisteria tea house

>>8221421
Sometimes I like brewing at lower temps, as you said its more floral and sweet but most times i prefer boiling, I dont dislike the sort of sourness and earthyness oolongs sometimes get

File: tmp_1389-coffee-or-tea1090505069.png (40KB, 620x566px) Image search: [Google]

40KB, 620x566px

>>8221455
>>8221504

Tea vs. coffe is an east / west thing, not a north / south thing.

>>8221953
>ireland and uk is eastern
ok m8

>>8220723
>t. westerner

>>8221504
>sand coons
You should say "dune coons", it just sounds better!

>>8221470
>theres no health benefits to tea, once you steep the leaves and put them under high temperature you kill off all the antioxidants

>the only people getting any antioxidants are the people who cold brew their shit

>also not even very much considering how few leaves youre fusing into the water compared to lets say using a juicer to juice dozens of plants at one time for the nutritional value

>its effectively doing nothing because the content is so little

Holy shit I think you're actually retarded. Either way you don't know anything about nutrition or the chemistry of it. With that logic all foods become nutritionally void when cooked.

File: 3b7ae9ff80df3828c05db6378ba086c6.jpg (35KB, 360x542px) Image search: [Google]

35KB, 360x542px

>>8217228
Local shop named "Made in Japan". Sold japanese wares and has a Final Fight arcade machine in store.

There's actually this Chinese tea house nearby so I'm thinking of visiting soon. Here's their puerh menu, anything interesting? I haven't tried raw puerh so I'm considering one.

>>8203705
You must be the life of parties.

File: 1458568007301.jpg (72KB, 500x375px) Image search: [Google]

72KB, 500x375px

>>8221455
I live in Oz and drink it all year round. Coming into summer now. It's good to have first world features like air cons

>>8221567
You might like this. Calcium Hypoclorate when mixed with bit of acid like lemon is a great antioxidant. You'll get a bit of vitamin C from the lemon too.

Looking to get into tea, where can I get a good sampler? My friend who knows a bit about it says that whatchas starter set is way overpriced, is there a better set somewhere?

If not, what is a list of a couple varieties of each type of tea that I could buy a little of to see what I like?

>>8222891
desu I would just look at teas you think you would like and buy them. Crepes tea house has really good prices for the quality, I get a lot of mine there.

Some of the adagio samplers are alright. I bought a puer sampler from them and haven't tried them all, but it's all been really good.

File: pixel tea shop.gif (1MB, 500x374px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 500x374px

>>8202557
looks comfy

unsweetened iced tea master race

but seriously though I would like to try hot tea but I don't know where to start. I've never had it and I don't want to ruin my first impression by getting the wrong kind. what would you recommend to someone who only drinks iced tea and has never had hot tea?

>>8223285
I haven't tried this specifically, but most advice I've taken from Serious Eats came with success.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/how-to-make-the-best-cold-brew-iced-tea.html

In fact, I'm going to try it. I make iced tea haphazardly, and agree with their aim (refreshing, not astringent). I really need to stop chilling hot brewed tea.

Does it matter what kind of teapot you brew green tea in?
I know fine bone china is better for black tea, but is there something similar for green teas?

>>8224077
glass teapots and thin gaiwans are good for green tea since they lose the heat very fast after brewing

>>8223285
Get some loose leaf darjeeling or something, then make sure you brew it properly

>>8223274
That's a coffee shop.

>>8225202
gotta get that assam nigga

>>8225871
you are correct
Better go rename that file

wanted to make gongfu style without an actual gongfu tea set

https://www.amazon.com/Kamjove-Gongfu-Teapot-Infuser-TP-757/dp/B00MA4WSU4/

how is this?

>>8227105
You dont need a set just a gaiwan and a cup, that said there's nothing wrong with that kind of infuser, they work fine

>>8227105
Should work fine. Never tried one tho.

>>8227105
First, 700ml is gigantic for gongfu, I would go for the 300ml or 500ml one. Notice that only the bottom part is the ml described. The infuser part holds around 90-150ml, depending on size and type. You can also find it much cheaper if you don't mind waiting for shipping from china.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-sale-500ml-Heat-Resistant-Glass-Tea-Pot-Flower-Tea-Set-Puer-kettle-Coffee-Teapot-Convenient

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GRANDNESS-TP-140-Kamjove-Art-Tea-Cup-Mug-Teapot-300ml-10-14-fl-oz-Teaports

http://yunnansourcing.com/en/495288017-portable-brewing-devices-and-travel-sets?orderby=price&orderway=asc

>>8227208
Do you guys just drink one tiny pot of tea and call it quits? Sounds peculiar.

>>8227369
Read up on what gongfu is

>>8227369
Multiple short infusions, drank 3-4 liters yesterday all made in a ~100ml gaiwan

What are your experiences with non-puerh post-fermented teas? I recently ordered my first from YS, a Hunan heicha that tastes like brown sugar. Pretty different from pu.

File: 20161028_155623.jpg (3MB, 4128x2322px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 4128x2322px

Got my YS brand raw cake yesterday, 2012 impression, still pretty green, 4 years isnt that long especially stored in kunming.
I like it, starts out nocely bitter and gets smoother and more floral as the infusions go on. Very nice

File: 20161028_155652.jpg (4MB, 4128x2322px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 4128x2322px

>>8227492

>>8227369
Yes, we dress up as little girls and play tea party. The Chinese term for this play is Gong Fu. It's widely accepted over there but it's generally frowned upon in Europe and America. It's a mix of tea drinking and cosplaying if you will.

File: 1474091323297.gif (999KB, 500x268px) Image search: [Google]

999KB, 500x268px

Waiting on some gyokuro, wanted to try it at least once. Is it gonna blow my mind?

So I just did my first gong fu session. I'm a bit disappointed with the result, it's good but it isn't that much of a difference from my usual western brewing. Having said that I probably need a couple of sessions before getting it right.

>>8227208
Anon, 200ml is standard and the infuser on that amazon one is 200ml.

>>8227641
First time, I doubt it will. It's one of those tastes you have to work at a bit.
If you're used to drinking sencha you'll probably get it. If not, prepare yourself for an intense grassy flavor shot, rather than a long refreshing drink.
Don't try and brew it western style, it's a waste.

>>8227641
Gyokuro just tasted like a very sweet Sencha to me, but I usually buy my tea online and I got the Gyokuro from my local tea shop, so I don't know if it was just a shittier grade. Anyway I wasn't amazed with the one that I had.

My white2tea order came in. Starting off with Repave. Enjoying it so far. Not a mind blower, by any means, but a very solid puer

Also have Pin, New Amerykah 2, Poundcake, and Milk Cream and Alcohol

>>8221567
>i think tea and coffee objectively taste bad

Are you really that dumb you can't figure out that "objectively taste" (as well as "I think"--you don't need to qualify an objective fact with "I think." 2+2=4 regardless of whether anyone "thinks" it does.) contradicts itself? There are people who think the most popular foods on earth taste bad, and vice versa. There are many many people who enjoy the taste of tea and coffee, regardless of your subjective opinion of their tastes. And there's a possibility you've never even had good tea or coffee.

File: travellingsamovarpuerh.jpg (388KB, 2048x1152px) Image search: [Google]

388KB, 2048x1152px

Went to a tea shop and tried some loose raw puerh. It's a surprisingly rare place that has this somewhat gongfu style serving in Australia. For my first raw puerh I like it. Still young I would guess so there's this initial bitterness but a nice earthy taste as well.

Initially the owners asked whether I really want raw puerh, after I finished they said most people tried raw the first time and got turned off by the initial bitterness. They also gave me small cups of ripe puerh, purple Yunnan, and Taiwan high mountain Oolong for tasting, very nice people.

File: __totoki_airi_idolmaster_and_idolmaster_cinderella_girls__8dd76497df24d237d5446d864acd3783.jpg (96KB, 640x800px) Image search: [Google]

96KB, 640x800px

>>8228992
Sounds like a really nice experience, I wish I had a tea shop like that near me. And that cake looks great!

>>8227652
don't want to sound dumb but it's about the experience too. Of course the taste matters but using a gaiwan or a kyusu is pretty fun in the beginning.

>>8229256
I only drink by myself tho. One aspect I really like is that you're not gulping down three-four 500ml mugs in one sitting. The pissing really gets out of hand.

>>8228189
western style here meaning ~3min?
another anon with his first gyokuro here and I think gongfuing Japanese greens doesn't work too well. I would try 40-60sec.
any opinions on this?
also how much g should I use for 400ml. it's the smallest pot I own.

>>8229697
I usually brew my Sencha pure western style. Two heaped teaspoons per ~500ml 75 degrees water for 2 minutes first steep then 3 minutes second steep. People might say that's incorrect but it turns out great for me. No bitterness, no astringency.

File: silver needles.jpg (255KB, 2048x1152px) Image search: [Google]

255KB, 2048x1152px

>>8229229
Very nice indeed, the chocolate cake actually combines well with the puerh.

It's hard to find tea shops here too. Coffee shops are everywhere and if they serve tea it's almost always teabags or from T2 (artificial flavouring). The owners also thought of having a coffee machine but stuck with tea and hurt their bottom line somewhat, which is sad since they took their tea seriously.

They also let me know of another tea shop which carries good Oolong teas so I will try to make some time to go there.

Anyway, tonight's drink is the last sampler I had, the silver needle white tea brewed around 80-85 degrees. Very nice, floral and sweet.

I'm looking for a nice looking 100 ml Gaiwan. Anyone suggestions?

>>8229883
Any*

Or less is also fine, like ~80 ml

Anyone ordered from teaware.house?

>>8229883
Depends on what you mean by nice looking, personally I prefer them very simple looking so I shop around on alibaba for cheap white ones, most online tea sourcers usually carry teaware, ys has some inexpensive ones in pretty colors

>tfw bought tea bags and only found this thread after wasting my money
Well fuck. Maybe I'll be fine with it because I'm new to tea and can't tell what sucks?

I'm not sure how salvageable this is, but I bought earl gray and green tea, both Bigelow brand. Aside from cyanide, do they benefit from adding things, like how chamomile is objectively better with honey?

>>8230040
I've seen old ladies have Earl Grey with a lemon wedge (no milk). Otherwise just full cream milk. Green tea is best with nothing. Pairs well with fresh fruit if you're having it with lunch.
Used to have chamomile with honey as a kid. Might go try it again next time I find it.

Just finish the bags. I have bags to take with me to work.

>>8229811
Which city is this? I'll give them my business.

>>8230040
Just drink up and buy loose leaf next time, just make sure you don't overbrew it

>>8230061
>not having chamomile w/honey to unwind
Relive your childhood my man, it's the highlight of my day. Expect to be surprised by how flower-like it tastes though, it's a bit of a surprise when you stop drinking it and start again years later.

>not having a briefcase full of somehow airtight compartments each dedicated to a certain kind of tea
step up son

>>8230079
>compartments dedicated to tea
>stores chamomile
Absolute
Mas
Man

>>8230094
Mad*

>>8230069
Travelling Samovar at Carlton North, a few minutes bus trip from Melbourne CBD. Open Wednesdays-Sundays.

Do visit them if you can.

>>8230094
>>8230096
I don't have such a briefcase, I was joking. I'm so sorry for getting your hopes up. I'll lie on the floor and consider my life.

>>8230101
Tea is no joking matter m8

new thread
>>8230174

>>8229905
Yes, I've ordered from there twice. It takes a while to arrive because it's shipping from china, but it's been good quality and a very nice selection. Plus free shipping above 40 dollar orders which is a great incentive.

>>8200479
DUDE LOOK AT THAT BUD LMAO!