Fangcha - 1999 Not too impressed. May be I am too green and inexperienced
myself and I should try sometime later.

I enjoy mine, but against the Menhai Beengcha 1999, it seems a bit weak.
Haven't tried it in months. I'll have another go.

I got back to Fangcha recently and I have to say that lowering the
temperature and tasting it constantly did the trick.
It awoke my army experiences in my memory, so I called it a "soldier's
tea" - it is straightforward with a threat to get violent if you step over
the line, as a true soldier should. It also has that "tank" smell - the
smell of squashed grass, sap from splintered tree trunks, raw earth clinging
to the tracks and sharp scent of used shells seeping from inside. I think I
should try the older Fangcha - I think Dave has one from 1991 for the same
price.

I bought some 10 years old green puerh "Yunnan toucha" from Imperial Court
in SF and Roy showed me a good way to brew it in gaiwan rather than in
chahu. I like this method because you can easily see the color saturation
and aquire the feeling for the brewing process rather fast. This tea is very
subtle in taste, but quite a symphony of the aftertaste, that lasted for
hours. I was very surprised how well it agrees with Marlboro. I do not smoke
often, but once in a while enjoy a cigarette or two. I had a smoke an hour
after the tea and it was pleasant and strong experience. 120 g, $7.00

Another tea I bought this time was 15 years old green puerh "Bamboo tea" -
paper-wrapped tablets in bamboo cylinder. It was nice but I think Dave's Dai
Bamboo tea is way better. Approx. 250g $20.00 This tea also has a "black"
puerh variety.

Sasha.