As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
(which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone point
me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some listing of
truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have searched
through archives of this list - but not been able to find something
comprehensive....

TIA!

Mike

On Jul 11, 10:34 am, Mike Morton > wrote:
> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone point
> me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some listing of
> truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have searched
> through archives of this list - but not been able to find something
> comprehensive....
>
> TIA!
>
> Mike

I would have no reservation in trusting http://www.jingteashop.com/pd-white-...-needle-aa.cfm

- Dominic

Mike Morton > writes:

> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone
> point me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some
> listing of truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have
> searched through archives of this list - but not been able to find
> something comprehensive....

Well, Spring Garden, in the Vancouver area, had some great Yinzhen
last summer, though they don't have a web site. (The mother of one of
the owners actually *grew* the stuff.) I posted their contact details
last year, so you should be able to find that info in the archives.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

On 2008-07-11 10:55:55 -0400, Lewis Perin > said:

> Mike Morton > writes:
>
>> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
>> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
>> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
>> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone
>> point me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some
>> listing of truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have
>> searched through archives of this list - but not been able to find
>> something comprehensive....
>
> Well, Spring Garden, in the Vancouver area, had some great Yinzhen
> last summer, though they don't have a web site. (The mother of one of
> the owners actually *grew* the stuff.) I posted their contact details
> last year, so you should be able to find that info in the archives.
>
> /Lew
> ---
> Lew Perin /
> http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

Do you mean the Spring Cottage Tea House in Richmond? that is what I
found in a previous post of yours anyhow? If that is it, I am heading
to Van in beginning of Sept to get my daughter to University out there
- and I would love to make a side trip based on what you posted...

Thanks!

On 2008-07-11 10:55:27 -0400, "Dominic T." > said:

> On Jul 11, 10:34 am, Mike Morton > wrote:
>> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
>> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
>> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
>> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone point
>> me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some listing of
>> truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have searched
>> through archives of this list - but not been able to find something
>> comprehensive....
>>
>> TIA!
>>
>> Mike
>
> I would have no reservation in trusting
> http://www.jingteashop.com/pd-white-...-needle-aa.cfm
>
> - Dominic

Beauty - just bought
PQM Meng Ding Huang Ya
ED Top Grade Bai Sha Lu
Gan De Ti Guan Yin
Fu Ding Bai Hao Yin Zhen

Cannot wait for them to get here now - that should keep me busy for a while!

Thanks Dominic.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-Spring-Yun...742.m153.l1262

ordered this in april and was very impressed. price is very good for
white.
not sure if it is the exact type you were looking for.


alanj

On 2008-07-11 12:57:45 -0400, said:

> http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-Spring-Yun...742.m153.l1262

ordered
>
> this in april and was very impressed. price is very good for
> white.
> not sure if it is the exact type you were looking for.
>
>
> alanj

Not the exact type - but it was a real high quality reputable white
that I was looking for - so that will do the trick - I found that
particular white that I was looking for @ teaspring as well - and I am
told that they have good teas too - I may purchase from there as well.

Mike Morton > writes:

> On 2008-07-11 10:55:55 -0400, Lewis Perin > said:
>
> > Mike Morton > writes:
> >
> >> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> >> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> >> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> >> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone
> >> point me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some
> >> listing of truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have
> >> searched through archives of this list - but not been able to find
> >> something comprehensive....
> > Well, Spring Garden, in the Vancouver area, had some great Yinzhen
> > last summer, though they don't have a web site. (The mother of one of
> > the owners actually *grew* the stuff.) I posted their contact details
> > last year, so you should be able to find that info in the archives.
> > /Lew
> > ---
> > Lew Perin /
> > http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html
>
> Do you mean the Spring Cottage Tea House in Richmond? that is what I
> found in a previous post of yours anyhow? If that is it, I am heading
> to Van in beginning of Sept to get my daughter to University out there
> - and I would love to make a side trip based on what you posted...

Yes, sorry my memory mangled their name. Have fun out there!

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

On Jul 11, 10:55*am, "Dominic T." > wrote:
> On Jul 11, 10:34 am, Mike Morton > wrote:
>
> > As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> > representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> > there. *I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> > (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone point
> > me in the right direction here? *Even better, is there some listing of
> > truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? *I have searched
> > through archives of this list - but not been able to find something
> > comprehensive....
>
> > TIA!
>
> > Mike
>
> I would have no reservation in trustinghttp://www.jingteashop.com/pd-white-tea-silver-needle-aa.cfm
>
> - Dominic

I tried 4 yinzhen silver needles recently,
two from inpursuitoftea, one from hou de,
and one from jing tea shop as in the link
above. The best of them was the more
expensive bai hao from IPOT. It's about
2 times more expensive than the one
from hou de. But it is the most balanced,
with a rich taste but without "sharpness"
that is very common in white teas. Hou
De silver needles tastes fresher and
sweeter, and closer to Pai Mutan teas.
In fact I think IPOTs Pai Mutan might
be the best deal of all these teas because
it only gives up a little bit of smoothness
but has everything that's great about
bai hao yinzhen.

I ordered eight different
teas from jing tea shop recently and
this yinzhen silver needles was the only
disappointment - the other 7 teas are
excellent, but the silver needles have
a slightly sweet/sour taste and leaves
aroma that I haven't noticed in other
silver needles, and is generally blander
than either hou de or ipot tea; but, to
be fair, it's also less expensive.

On the other hand, their Pai Mutan is
quite amazing, especially at the price,
and in fact far better than their Yinzhen
Silver Needles.

I only made a few pots so far so maybe
it will grow on me, but hou de and ipot
silver needles were perfect right away -
I find it very hard to screw up silver
needles if I don't totally overbrew it.

On Jul 11, 4:05 pm, Rainy > wrote:
> I only made a few pots so far so maybe
> it will grow on me, but hou de and ipot
> silver needles were perfect right away -
> I find it very hard to screw up silver
> needles if I don't totally overbrew it.

In fairness Jing's makes it clear that this year has been particularly
bad for it and that is why they have sourced this one from elsewhere.
I actually posted that link because of the explanation given as to
this years crop, but I could see how it doesn't stack up especially if
any of the ones you tested were from last years harvest. Thanks for
the info though, I tend to just trust Jing's fairly implicitly.

- Dominic

On Jul 11, 4:57*pm, "Dominic T." > wrote:
> On Jul 11, 4:05 pm, Rainy > wrote:
>
> > I only made a few pots so far so maybe
> > it will grow on me, but hou de and ipot
> > silver needles were perfect right away -
> > I find it very hard to screw up silver
> > needles if I don't totally overbrew it.
>
> In fairness Jing's makes it clear that this year has been particularly
> bad for it and that is why they have sourced this one from elsewhere.
> I actually posted that link because of the explanation given as to
> this years crop, but I could see how it doesn't stack up especially if
> any of the ones you tested were from last years harvest. Thanks for
> the info though, I tend to just trust Jing's fairly implicitly.
>
> - Dominic

That may be the case although Hou De's tasted
really fresh. At any rate I'd highly recommend
Jing's other teas to anyone, this is one rare
exception. In fact it's still better and cheaper
than whites you can get from places like Ten
Ren or Kam Man. I just realized that smell of
this Yin Zhen reminded me of whites and
Long Jing at Kam Man (It's a really great store
in Manhattan - just not that great for teas..)! -ak

On Jul 11, 4:34*pm, Mike Morton > wrote:
> I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
>
> Mike

Hou De Asian Art carries highest quality teas, including
http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...roducts_id=920

On Jul 11, 10:34*pm, Mike Morton > wrote:
> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> there. *I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone point
> me in the right direction here? *Even better, is there some listing of
> truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? *I have searched
> through archives of this list - but not been able to find something
> comprehensive....
>
> TIA!
>
> Mike

Best Teahouse of Hongkong has a branch in Canada, you can access the
info from he
http://www.besttea.com.hk/eng/branch.htm

The silver needles they sell:
http://www.besttea.com.hk/eng/tea_leave/f00170202.htm

I have tried several silver needles in the market, the silver needles
from Best Teahouse are one of the better ones I've tried. Many vendors
sell Silver Needles only in name: silver needles they are in
appearance, but the tea is closer to a green tea than white...

Kevo

On Jul 11, 8:25 am, Mike Morton > wrote:
> On 2008-07-11 10:55:55 -0400, Lewis Perin > said:
>
>
>
> > Mike Morton > writes:
>
> >> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
> >> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors out
> >> there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin Zhen
> >> (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can someone
> >> point me in the right direction here? Even better, is there some
> >> listing of truly quality vendors that ship into Canada around? I have
> >> searched through archives of this list - but not been able to find
> >> something comprehensive....
>
> > Well, Spring Garden, in the Vancouver area, had some great Yinzhen
> > last summer, though they don't have a web site. (The mother of one of
> > the owners actually *grew* the stuff.) I posted their contact details
> > last year, so you should be able to find that info in the archives.
>
> > /Lew
> > ---
> > Lew Perin /
> >http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html
>
> Do you mean the Spring Cottage Tea House in Richmond? that is what I
> found in a previous post of yours anyhow? If that is it, I am heading
> to Van in beginning of Sept to get my daughter to University out there
> - and I would love to make a side trip based on what you posted...
>
> Thanks!

I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).

Best Tea House is also very good, but their Silver Needles can't quite
compare and their prices are usually higher for similar quality.
However I would absolutely recommend them for their vintage Pu-erh
variety, and they sell an excellent English-language, full-color, 287
page, hardbound textbook/reference guide on pu-erh called "First Step
To Chinese Pu-Erh Tea" by Chan Kam Pong (ISBN 978957896-2).

-Charles

Iggy wrote:
> I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
> Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
> their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
> made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
> silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).

When brewing tea, do you measure by weight or by volume?

I've recently read that because some teas are bulkier than others, using
a scale is the best way to measure tea for brewing.

In which case, you won't get more cups from your Silver Needles than you
would from Orange Pekoe.

Dave S.

On Jul 18, 7:41 pm, Dave S > wrote:
> Iggy wrote:
> > I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
> > Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
> > their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
> > made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
> > silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).
>
> When brewing tea, do you measure by weight or by volume?
>
> I've recently read that because some teas are bulkier than others, using
> a scale is the best way to measure tea for brewing.
>
> In which case, you won't get more cups from your Silver Needles than you
> would from Orange Pekoe.
>
> Dave S.

Definitely a scale to get a good sense of true weight at least in the
beginning until you get a good feel for it. Even then I tend to re-
weigh a new vendor/years tea because it can vary by quite a lot. There
is a fairly recent thread about scales and dealextreme.com which is
where I buy mine from.

- Dominic

I tend to count the plump fat silver needles variety. OP is more
dense than SN so more 'heavy'. Anyway my measuring stick is that
looks about right in the palm of my hand which does vary from tea to
tea based on experience. I think taste buds are more accurate than
any scale.

Jim




Dave S wrote:
> Iggy wrote:
> > I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
> > Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
> > their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
> > made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
> > silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).
>
> When brewing tea, do you measure by weight or by volume?
>
> I've recently read that because some teas are bulkier than others, using
> a scale is the best way to measure tea for brewing.
>
> In which case, you won't get more cups from your Silver Needles than you
> would from Orange Pekoe.
>
> Dave S.

Iggy > wrote in
:

> On Jul 11, 8:25 am, Mike Morton > wrote:
>> On 2008-07-11 10:55:55 -0400, Lewis Perin > said:
>>
>>
>>
>> > Mike Morton > writes:
>>
>> >> As I am sure many of the members here are aware, finding a true
>> >> representation of a tea is tough to do with all the online vendors
>> >> out there. I am looking for a recommended vendor of Bai Hao Yin
>> >> Zhen (which I am to understand is a high quality white?) - can
>> >> someone point me in the right direction here? Even better, is
>> >> there some listing of truly quality vendors that ship into Canada
>> >> around? I have searched through archives of this list - but not
>> >> been able to find something comprehensive....
>>
>> > Well, Spring Garden, in the Vancouver area, had some great Yinzhen
>> > last summer, though they don't have a web site. (The mother of one
>> > of the owners actually *grew* the stuff.) I posted their contact
>> > details last year, so you should be able to find that info in the
>> > archives.
>>
>> > /Lew
>> > ---
>> > Lew Perin /
>> >http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html
>>
>> Do you mean the Spring Cottage Tea House in Richmond? that is what I
>> found in a previous post of yours anyhow? If that is it, I am
>> heading to Van in beginning of Sept to get my daughter to University
>> out there - and I would love to make a side trip based on what you
>> posted...
>>
>> Thanks!
>
> I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
> Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
> their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
> made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
> silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).
>...
> -Charles

Thanks, Lewis Perin and Iggy for the Spring Cottage Tea House
recommendation. I just placed an order for White Tea and Jasmine Pearls.

Spring Cottage Tea House now has an email address:
ChineseTea007_at_yahoo.com.hk
Replace _at_ with @

Lurker > writes:

> Iggy > wrote in
> > [...]
> > I'd second the Spring Cottage Tea House recommendation. We buy our
> > Silver Needles there every year, and no other source has come close to
> > their quality. Their year's shipment came in a few weeks ago and we
> > made a special trip to buy our pound for the year (it's $100/lb, but
> > silver needle is so fluffy that a pound is a LOT of tea).
> >...
>
> Thanks, Lewis Perin and Iggy for the Spring Cottage Tea House
> recommendation. I just placed an order for White Tea and Jasmine Pearls.
>
> Spring Cottage Tea House now has an email address:
> ChineseTea007_at_yahoo.com.hk
> Replace _at_ with @

Wow, that's a huge concession from Stephen at Spring Cottage - he
*hates* computers!

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html