I purchased some High Mt Oolong the other day from a small tea shop in
Seattle. It was sooo good. The flavor reminded me of flowers! I also
purchased tea by the same name elsewhere in Seattle...not the same, not the
same flavor or aroma! Could it be that one tea was old? They both looked the
same dry and prepared. I am also presuming different regions in Taiwan (or
wherever it comes from) produces tea with different tastes, depending on
soil, climate, water etc etc. So, what's the deal here? Was I mislead?
What should High Mt. Oolong really taste like?

Another name "Clouds in the Mist" tea describing high altitude tea
from mainland China. When it comes to your local tea shoppe your
mileage may vary. Mine serves an unimpressive Bai Hao Oriental
Beauty. I just bought some commercial brands of High Mt Oolong. As
for any version of tea if you find one you like stock up. You
probably wouldn't like the taste of my Darjeeling and me yours.
Consistency is the name of the game in commercial teas and everything
else is potpourri. Oolongs are often treated with floral scents. I
wouldn't expect all high mt oolongs to taste the same or any others at
a given sea level. I haven't sampled enough but it might be a coded
word for poor quality oolong.

Jim

"Darawen Littlestich" wrote in message ...
I purchased some High Mt Oolong the other day from a small tea shop in
Seattle. It was sooo good. The flavor reminded me of flowers! I also
purchased tea by the same name elsewhere in Seattle...not the same, not the
same flavor or aroma! Could it be that one tea was old? They both looked the
same dry and prepared. I am also presuming different regions in Taiwan (or
wherever it comes from) produces tea with different tastes, depending on
soil, climate, water etc etc. So, what's the deal here? Was I mislead?
What should High Mt. Oolong really taste like?

Darawen --

It is quite likely that the two stores had different sources for their "High
Mt. Oolong" -- and so naturally they would be different. If they were two
branches of the same store, then I suppose one could be fresh, the other stale,
but they would likely have the same source.

As Jim says, when you find something you like, get it! Well, for as long as
you can anyway. Eventually, teas can go stale or your favorite can sell out..

There are probably hundreds of different Taiwanese "High Mtn. Oolongs," of
course. I've had a couple of nice ones over the past year (local dealers).

Joe Kubera

I just tried a new commercial brand of High Mtn. Oolong from China.
It taste like a good decent Black Dragon but nothing too really
distinguish itself. It might be more mellow than the BDs I like.
However a lingering green note not astringent. The price is right
$8/8oz in a nice glass apothecary jar that would be worth that alone
in the stores. This is new packaging I haven't seen before. I've
never had any Taiwan HM. Are there any mountains that high? I just
tried a wonderful Formosa Jade Pouchong which makes the yellow tea,
$10/2oz not cheap. A real neat kelp like infusion (I imagaine a
lurking moray eel) and the leaves the color of emeralds. You can get
three infusions. Unfortunately that's not the way I drink tea. One
cup then another type. I'll save this one for friends.

Jim

(Joseph Kubera) wrote in message ...
Darawen --

It is quite likely that the two stores had different sources for their "High
Mt. Oolong" -- and so naturally they would be different. If they were two
branches of the same store, then I suppose one could be fresh, the other stale,
but they would likely have the same source.

As Jim says, when you find something you like, get it! Well, for as long as
you can anyway. Eventually, teas can go stale or your favorite can sell out..

There are probably hundreds of different Taiwanese "High Mtn. Oolongs," of
course. I've had a couple of nice ones over the past year (local dealers).

Joe Kubera