These approximate 200g pyrex jars appeared in my Asian stores about a
year ago. One style has the dome lid. The other has the thick pancake
lids. Each has three plastic O rings. The Challenger could have used
that extra ring. If the tea was any fresher I'd have to slap it. I
file back the rings so I can get the lid on/off more easily. Beware
you will spill tea the first time. They are the mainstream Chinese and
Japanese teas. I'd guess about 20 in all so far. Everytime I go back
more appears. Two of my favorites are Dong Ding which is the hard to
find mainland version and fluffy green white tip Spring Bud (110g,
maybe the one you mentioned). Xue Feng means Snow Peak which is a
desired high mountain TGY. My local Asian prices are under $9. I
think it is an attempt to provide excellent value at commercial prices.
Foojoy is also doing that with their Classics line but more expensive.
A Taiwan company called Good Young is doing the same thing. These
teas are my everyday Chinese and Japanese staples. You can use the
jars for storage. Us insiders call green oolongs, Pouchongs which is a
specialty of Taiwan.

Jim

stePH wrote:
Today after work I stopped at the "Ranch 99 Market" (an Asian
supermarket on Hwy 99 north of Seattle) and picked up a 7oz bag of
sencha for $3, and a 7.4oz jar (with a glass-and-plastic stopper) of a
very green Ti Kuan Yin for $10.

The jar has a mostly yellow label that appears to be branded "ASIAN
TASTE (R)" and the tea itself is described as "Xue Feng Ti Kuan Yin"
... and some Japanese katakana above it reads something like
"tekkanmen" (more precisely, "te-small tsu, ka-n, me-n") and I've just
noticed a gold "ASIAN TASTE" label on the bottom of the jar as well.

Now having a third infusion -- this stuff is absolutely delicious, and
easily stands up to the "Monkey Picked Tiguanyin" that Michael Plant
sent me a sample of last month (for all I know, it's the same stuff).

I must return to that store soon and try the same brand's Dragonwell;
there's also some green tea there that strongly resembles the "Green
Pekoe Blues" that I got a sample of from Adagio last Christmas. Lots
of other interesting-looking stuff there, too, but I didn't want to go
on a crazy buying spree just yet.

damn, I just love green oolongs,
stePH
in cup: see post :-)