Do *NOT* get any of Upton's sampler sets. They often feature atypical
teas (e.g., a first-flush Darjeeling that tastes like a second-flush
and a high-fermentation China Oolong), low-grade teas (their Oolong
set recently downgraded from Formosa Oolong Choicest to F. O. Choice,
though anything under Fancy isn't worth the time or money), and they
come in loose-lidded, useless containers (I once completely ruined
some $30 Ti Kwan Yin in one, while some $12 Ti Kwan Yin gotten at the
same time stored in Holy Mtn's Mihon Can was still perfectly fragrant
and tasty).

The only other samplers I have ordered are the pu-erh and Oolong
samplers from Holy Mountain. I was altogether happy with the Oolong
(save that the Oolong "choice" was not good), and thought that the
balance of expensive and affordable teas of similar styles in the set
made it very well-rounded. The pu-erh was very nice on the whole,
though I think that, considering I had no use for scented tuocha, I
didn't get my money's worth. However, their pu-erh sampler offers
samples of teas otherwise only availible in largish (and expensive)
cakes (the You Zi Cha was odd, but worth trying. The Tibetan Mushroom
pu-erh was probably my favorite, though the "large-leafed pu-erh from
old trees" was also outstanding).

As to things I have heard of, but not experienced: Specialteas and
IPOT offer your standard sampler kits, and ITC usually includes 1oz of
four teas, for $20+ (emphasis on the "+"). Recently, IPOT has had a
sampler set in which you get two Formosa Oolongs (a Pouchong and a
medium-fermentation) together for $50, wheras they would normally cost
a little less than $70. Those are a quarter-pound per tea, though. A
company known as the Oolong Tea Store offers a free sample of most of
its teas, the customer only pays shipping.

The only other unusual thing to mention is that Grey and Seddon offer
samplers of their tea for a flat price of $25 per sampler (including
shipping, which is noteworthy for an Australian company shipping to
the US). These samplers seem well-rounded, but the unusual part is the
quantities: they usually include a large amount of one tea (say, 100g)
and then smaller samples of several other teas (about 25g per tea). It
is unusual for them to offer individual samples of their tea, save
with expensive teas (like their Chinese greens and the Da Hong Pao
they recently put up).

On the whole, I would advise against samplers. Usually, you can get
better teas (ones better-suited to your tastes) and avoid spending
money on teas you don't want by ordering individual samples. These are
the circumstances under which I would order a sampler: (1) you want
*every* tea in the set (you *will* waste money otherwise, no matter
how many other arguments there are in favor of this), (2) either there
is a substantial discount (e.g., that IPOT samper I mentioned), you
don't know where to start (as in choosing among ITC's green-tea
selection), or there are teas in the sampler not availible otherwise
as a sample (like a pu-erh cakes).

Good luck to you on your effort to expand your tastes. If only
everyone had the time and inclination to do likewise . . .

Many happy infusions,

ZBL

(JBSummer) wrote in message >...
> I am trying to expand my tea tastes and figure a sampler would be a good way to
> start. I have found plenty of suppliers online but am wondering if any stand
> out so far as good quality is concerned...
>
> Thanks
>
> Jim