Almost by definition there were no expensive teas in Chinatown for the
consumer. Chinatown did have a selection but if money is burning a
hole in your pocket you'd shop elsewhere. If I've learned any thing
about tea there is no correlation between price and taste. From the
seventies till the mid nineties tea turnover was flat ie something new
you hadn't seen before. In the past five years selection has increased
many fold along with the price. The nicest surprise are Taiwan teas.
I was so impressed by a commercial A-Li-Shan and DongDing I cleared the
shelves which wasn't cheap at $10/100g. This is the first tea I
decided I couldn't live without. If I ever know when I drink my last
cup of tea this will be it. I'm starting to ponder those type of
questions now. I understand the tremendous variety of tea and the
search for another cup. When people present the case tea is greener on
the other side of the fence I remind them of what is on this side.
Chinatown is behind the eight ball on puerh. However if I understand
the argument correctly the middle class on this side of the Pacific
will want their share. Any part of the tea culture(s) stands on it's
own and I think the comparison to other activities just doesn't mean
much. My Chinatown has a cheap LiuAn which will cost you more from
anywhere else. If I'm looking for a Bentley I'll find someone who took
it in trade for a MiniCooper.

Jim

Michael Plant wrote:
> Space 6/22/05
>
....I delete me...
> Jim,
>
> Of course I agree with you on the Chinatown thing, but as for the better and
> best Pu'erhs, think of it this way: Could you walk into to any car dealer
> and pick up a Bentley? No. You'd have to go pretty far out of your way. So
> it is with Pu'erh. You can get reasonably good Pu'erh in any Chinatown, but
> for the truly good stuff, you need to range further out. After all, the
> average Chinese living in your area is no more likely to appreciate or buy
> excellent Pu'erh than the average Gringo is likely to.....well, don't get me
> started.
>
> If you find the point to my comments above, please share them with me.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Michael