On Oct 1, 4:44*pm, george tasman > wrote:
> Yes, I know this issue must come up regularly -- I'd welocme some
> specific guidelines.
>
> When I wander into any tea seller -- whether Teavana, the rare
> specialty store, Tokyo airport in transit (plenty of quite interesting
> items scattered around its mini-shops, Wegman's and so on or get
> online, how do I get a sense of the freshness of the teas and when
> does it matter most? I don't have the olfactory skills to tell just by
> smelling and I can't always make a sound judgement on the look and
> feel.
>
> Any advice?
>
> Plus, which teas does freshness most matter for buying? I avoid
> purchasing Japanese teas like Gyokuro and while I love white teas, I
> take a very cautious approach. I try to buy just a small sample and
> race back if it's really good. That's not always possible. It's the
> greens and tight rolled oolongs that I have most trouble with. I so
> often pick up a nice looking and reasonably priced Iron Goddess or
> Pouchong that somehow are just that little bit flat. Maybe it's the
> processing or leaf quality but I can't tell.
>
> Lastly, I keep away from Puerhs because I don't have a clue what to
> look for when I am buying -- it's a liitle like Cuban cigars; I know
> that they age well but if the store has let them dry out thay can be
> aged but not fresh, if you know what I mean. Darjeelings are a real
> joy and a disappointment. One of my favorites is Hanrutty but my
> latest purchase is just a dud. I assume the freshness is the problem.
> Is it? How would I tell?
>
> There are a lot of people around like me who are well beyond being
> newbies but not experts. I probably buy ten teas a *month. About half
> of them are ones I haven't tried before. So I am fairly savvy and my
> friends tell me I'm an expert, which I'm definitely not and have no
> ambitions to be. They are limited to teh green tea is good for you
> school of microwaved tea bags and most have never tried a loose leaf
> tea of any knd so when I make them even a jasmine green it's a
> revelation. It's a sorry commentary that they think that makes me an
> expert! But I realy would love to be just a little bit more able to
> make better selections among teas I know enjoy and be able to tell if
> a new one is a good buy or a bad choice. The name isn't the issue
> here. I know there are many great So, friendly help will be
> appreciated.

All good questions. Even with less-than-stellar olfactory sense you
should still smell the tea. Sometimes if it smells good to you that is
all that matters, I've bought what I know to be older tea that still
caught me in some way and it's every bit as enjoyable as the
"freshest" of the season. Sometimes fresh doesn't mean better in
taste, it can be edgier and a little aging knocks that off. I've
bought gyokuro out of season, I'd never let that stop me... but I
won't pay astronomical prices for it either. If it smells off, moldy,
of the flavored tea of the month next to it, flat, then obviously stay
away.

Tea in America is rarely all that fresh no matter the source, it is
more about proper storage. After a few orders from different vendors
you will quickly discern who properly stores and ships their teas.
Upton's has been off at times, Teaspring has only had a couple that
I'd say were older but I've also had some of the freshest yellow tea
ever from them, smaller boutique vendors can be hit or miss but they
often take more care in storage which is a plus.

Not many places are going to nitro seal the whole lot after every
sale, but they also shouldn't have clear glass latch-type containers
with rubber gaskets that haven't been changed in years (there are two
such places in my hometown of Pittsburgh). It is another one of those
variables to tea that make it much more difficult than picking a great
wine.

With a new vendor, or even a known vendor but a new tea or potentially
older batch, I always buy their samples first. The small cost and
small shipping charge is always worth it to not get stuck with 1/4lb.
or more of a bad tea. Your storage at home matters just as much. I
personally split my tea up into two or three containers. One I use
from the other two stay sealed and away, that way I'm not opening the
whole lot daily and the containers can be smaller.

- Dominic