My personal sources:

http://www.pu-erhtea.com/Pu-erhTea.htm
Few grades or vintages mentioned. This site is in Kunming, Yunan, and
has been very good to deal with. James has been very reliable and
trustworthy. The teas have been good, but young, and the prices better
than here in the US. There is something almost spiritual about opening
up a box covered with Chinese stamps and postmarks to find several
golden melons and a Yixing teapot.

http://www.mandjs.com/ProductsList.a...h%20Teas&ID=82
This is another Chinese site. They have a very good selection and are
good about disclosing the true nature of there offerings. Very good
about quoting both grade and vintage. Do not pay too much attention to
the shipping costs listed on the website, email them for a shipping
table instead. Michael also does a lot of business on ebay as well.



Some standard US sources (in no particular order):

http://www.generationtea.com/store/default.php?cPath=4
Nice selection, no mention of grades, some vintages quoted.

http://store.yahoo.com/teastores/puerhteas.html
AKA IPOT- Nice selection, no mention of grade or vintage.

http://www.holymtn.com/tea/pu-erhtea.htm
Nice selection, most grades and vintages are quoted.

http://natureproducts.net/Medicine/bamboo_tea.html
Unusual offerings like Pu Erh flowers etc.

http://www.tributetea.com/puerh_tea.asp
Nice slection, no real grades mentioned, some ages quoted but no
vintages.

http://www.imperialtea.com/AB1002000...Category_ID=21
AKA ITC - Very nice selection, some grades and ages quoted, very few
vintages quoted.


>> since i'm in a pu-erh mood like others on this list, i decided to share some
>> of my experiences as i learn about pu-erh also.
>>
>> my favorite so far - black mushroom shaped pu-erh from holy mountain (can be
>> found elsewhere as well)
>> earthy, little woody but not musty
>>
>> second favorite - the $1 tuo-cha from ten ren. similar to mushroom but a
>> little less smooth, still excellent
>>
>> mini tuo-cha from special teas are ok but they really seem to need a 10
>> second rinse else they are very musty. looks to be made from broken or
>> chopped leaves if i remember correctly.
>>
>> i also have a green pu-erh brick from holy mountain though i made it only
>> once, and it was very bitter. vintage 1992 - how should this be brewed?
>> 1 tsp, boiling water, 3 minute steep
>>
>> my least favorite pu-erh is the plastic wrapped tuos from ten ren - i don't
>> see them online though they are available at ten ren's shop in san
>> francisco. quite earthy but has a very strong, overwhelming mushroomy scent
>> and taste. i love mushrooms though this is too strong for my taste.
>>
>> -ben
>>
>>
>>

Mike Petro

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