In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
02:21:45 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:

> Blair P. Houghton > wrote:
>>I did a little shopping online at SpecialTeas.Com today:
>>
>>[list of teas]
>
> Well that was quick.

Please don't post any more lists of yummy teas. They're causing some of
us hardship, as we feel compelled to order some for ourselves!

> I ordered it Sunday and it was in my mailbox today.

That's standard for Special Teas. I decided to try Upton, for the first
time.


> the Makaibari, must have been out of stock, because
> they substitued Kenilworth OP and deducted the price of the
> Makaibari.

You ordered a Darjeeling and they sent a Ceylon?

Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
>02:21:45 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:
>> Blair P. Houghton > wrote:
>>>I did a little shopping online at SpecialTeas.Com today:
>>>
>>>[list of teas]
>>
>> Well that was quick.
>
>Please don't post any more lists of yummy teas. They're causing some of
>us hardship, as we feel compelled to order some for ourselves!

Sir. Put down the Internet and walk away.

>> I ordered it Sunday and it was in my mailbox today.
>
>That's standard for Special Teas. I decided to try Upton, for the first
>time.

And what happened?

>> the Makaibari, must have been out of stock, because
>> they substitued Kenilworth OP and deducted the price of the
>> Makaibari.
>
>You ordered a Darjeeling and they sent a Ceylon?

I guess. It's free, as they didn't charge anything
for the replacement; they could have just said "out of
stock" and deleted the price and done nothing to make up.
I like their idea better.

The website still has the Maikabari listed, so maybe they
just didn't have the $2 sample sizes. I've got lots of tea
to try, or I'd call them and see what the deal with it is.

--Blair
"Step *away* from the interaction."

In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
23:52:35 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:

> Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>>
>>Please don't post any more lists of yummy teas. They're causing some of
>>us hardship, as we feel compelled to order some for ourselves!
>
> Sir. Put down the Internet and walk away.

No way!

>>I decided to try Upton, for the first time.
>
> And what happened?

I placed the order late Wednesday night, and expect to see the package
Monday or perhaps Saturday.

>>You ordered a Darjeeling and they sent a Ceylon?
>
> I guess. It's free, as they didn't charge anything for the replacement;

I missed the part about it being a sample.

> I like their idea better.

Yes, it sounds good.

> I've got lots of tea
> to try, or I'd call them and see what the deal with it is.

Happy brewing.

In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
23:52:35 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:

[second follow-up]

> Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>>
>>I decided to try Upton, for the first time.
>
> And what happened?

I ordered late Wednesday night and the package arrived Saturday morning.

I got

Darjeeling: Sungma second-flush DJ-170, SFTGFOP1S
Ceylon: Kenilworth "Wilson Select", OP1
Java: Sperata "high-grown", OP
Kenya: "Golden Kenya", TGFOP

Sungma: I don't really have the words to describe the taste other than to
say it's as good as I remembered. It's tiny leaves and tips and feels
quite fluffy when I measure it. Unfortunately, it costs six or seven
times as much as Lipton Premium but, as a consolation, I can't get Lipton
Premium or Brooke-Bond Supreme in town any more. It's exactly what I
wanted.

What is that DJ-170 anyway?

Kenilworth: It has a "darker" flavor than I'm used to, perhaps with a hint
of chocolate. I think next time I'll order a variety described as lemony
or citrusy. It's not extraordinarily better than the cheap stuff in a box
($6/lb) but, as a consolation again, I can't get the cheap stuff in town
any more, either. I certainly won't have any problem drinking it.

I haven't tried Upton's Kenya or Java yet; having been quite pleased with
Special Tea's varieties in the past, I know I'll like them. Unless
someone wants to hear about it (or them), I won't provide another of these
superficial reviews.

Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
> Darjeeling: Sungma second-flush DJ-170, SFTGFOP1S
> Ceylon: Kenilworth "Wilson Select", OP1
> Java: Sperata "high-grown", OP
> Kenya: "Golden Kenya", TGFOP
>
>Sungma: I don't really have the words to describe the taste other than to
>say it's as good as I remembered. It's tiny leaves and tips and feels
>quite fluffy when I measure it. Unfortunately, it costs six or seven
>times as much as Lipton Premium but, as a consolation, I can't get Lipton
>Premium or Brooke-Bond Supreme in town any more. It's exactly what I
>wanted.

I just realized the Sungma is the last one of my goodie box that
I haven't tried yet...

>What is that DJ-170 anyway?

No idea. Looking through Upton's catalog (what a mess*)
that sort of number seems to appear only on the Estate
Darjeelings, but not on all of them. They have a whole
separate system of product numbering, so the "DJ" numbers
have to be something else.

* - they have so many teas that they really should either
add more hierarchy or at least widen the list displays so I
could get more of them on the screen to compare them...that
"0-20...21-40" stuff is NEVER the solution to breaking up
lists, especially where number 137, say, could be a better
choice than number 14.

>I haven't tried Upton's Kenya or Java yet; having been quite pleased with
>Special Tea's varieties in the past, I know I'll like them. Unless
>someone wants to hear about it (or them), I won't provide another of these
>superficial reviews.

"Java tea".

Love the irony.

--Blair
"Something about a tippy-flowery
arabica that wants a smirk."

"Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> >What is that DJ-170 anyway?

It's the invoice number. Meaning that teas with the same invoice number was
picked at the same time at the same area of the tea garden, and usually sold
together at an auction. So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
can be rather different.

>> * - they have so many teas that they really should either
> add more hierarchy or at least widen the list displays so I
> could get more of them on the screen to compare them...that
> "0-20...21-40" stuff is NEVER the solution to breaking up
> lists, especially where number 137, say, could be a better
> choice than number 14.

They do give you the option to sort the teas by price etc, and also to have
wider breaks. But I agree that they could arrange their online catalogue a
little less messy.

Lars
(Bergen,Norway)

In article > (Tue, 08 Jun 2004
21:22:17 +0000), Lars I. Mehlum wrote:

>
> "Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
> .. .
>>
>> >What is that DJ-170 anyway?
>
> It's the invoice number. Meaning that teas with the same invoice number was
> picked at the same time at the same area of the tea garden, and usually sold
> together at an auction.

Hey, thanks. Are the EX-### codes also invoice numbers? As Blair
Houghton points out, some of the Darjeelings have DJ- numbers, some have
EX- numbers, and don't have either.

> So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
> can be rather different.

I assume you mean two from different invoices?

>> [Upton web-site listings]
>
> They do give you the option to sort the teas by price etc, and also to
> have wider breaks.

I saw the wider breaks but I'd also like have have choices such as 50/page
and everything-at-once.

> But I agree that they could arrange their online
> catalogue a little less messy.

It's not bad as online catalogs go but it could use improvement. It won't
give me any pause in ordering from them again.

"Hamilcar Barca" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hey, thanks. Are the EX-### codes also invoice numbers? As Blair
> Houghton points out, some of the Darjeelings have DJ- numbers, some have
> EX- numbers, and don't have either.

I'm not sure, I wonder if it has something to do at which auction it is
sold? Anyway, I'm going to visit Darjeeling and some tea gardens in a weeks
time, so I will find out! Those without numbers might be blends, or just
that the vendor (or broker) didn't bother to inform the customer about it.

> > So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
> > can be rather different.
>
> I assume you mean two from different invoices?

Exactly. Two different invoices can have rather different character.

Lars
(Bergen, Norway)

"Hamilcar Barca" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hey, thanks. Are the EX-### codes also invoice numbers? As Blair
> Houghton points out, some of the Darjeelings have DJ- numbers, some have
> EX- numbers, and don't have either.

I'm not sure, I wonder if it has something to do at which auction it is
sold? Anyway, I'm going to visit Darjeeling and some tea gardens in a weeks
time, so I will find out! Those without numbers might be blends, or just
that the vendor (or broker) didn't bother to inform the customer about it.

> > So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
> > can be rather different.
>
> I assume you mean two from different invoices?

Exactly. Two different invoices can have rather different character.

Lars
(Bergen, Norway)

In article > (Tue, 08 Jun 2004
21:22:17 +0000), Lars I. Mehlum wrote:

>
> "Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
> .. .
>>
>> >What is that DJ-170 anyway?
>
> It's the invoice number. Meaning that teas with the same invoice number was
> picked at the same time at the same area of the tea garden, and usually sold
> together at an auction.

Hey, thanks. Are the EX-### codes also invoice numbers? As Blair
Houghton points out, some of the Darjeelings have DJ- numbers, some have
EX- numbers, and don't have either.

> So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
> can be rather different.

I assume you mean two from different invoices?

>> [Upton web-site listings]
>
> They do give you the option to sort the teas by price etc, and also to
> have wider breaks.

I saw the wider breaks but I'd also like have have choices such as 50/page
and everything-at-once.

> But I agree that they could arrange their online
> catalogue a little less messy.

It's not bad as online catalogs go but it could use improvement. It won't
give me any pause in ordering from them again.

"Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> >What is that DJ-170 anyway?

It's the invoice number. Meaning that teas with the same invoice number was
picked at the same time at the same area of the tea garden, and usually sold
together at an auction. So two first flush SFTGFOP's from the same garden
can be rather different.

>> * - they have so many teas that they really should either
> add more hierarchy or at least widen the list displays so I
> could get more of them on the screen to compare them...that
> "0-20...21-40" stuff is NEVER the solution to breaking up
> lists, especially where number 137, say, could be a better
> choice than number 14.

They do give you the option to sort the teas by price etc, and also to have
wider breaks. But I agree that they could arrange their online catalogue a
little less messy.

Lars
(Bergen,Norway)

Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
> Darjeeling: Sungma second-flush DJ-170, SFTGFOP1S
> Ceylon: Kenilworth "Wilson Select", OP1
> Java: Sperata "high-grown", OP
> Kenya: "Golden Kenya", TGFOP
>
>Sungma: I don't really have the words to describe the taste other than to
>say it's as good as I remembered. It's tiny leaves and tips and feels
>quite fluffy when I measure it. Unfortunately, it costs six or seven
>times as much as Lipton Premium but, as a consolation, I can't get Lipton
>Premium or Brooke-Bond Supreme in town any more. It's exactly what I
>wanted.

I just realized the Sungma is the last one of my goodie box that
I haven't tried yet...

>What is that DJ-170 anyway?

No idea. Looking through Upton's catalog (what a mess*)
that sort of number seems to appear only on the Estate
Darjeelings, but not on all of them. They have a whole
separate system of product numbering, so the "DJ" numbers
have to be something else.

* - they have so many teas that they really should either
add more hierarchy or at least widen the list displays so I
could get more of them on the screen to compare them...that
"0-20...21-40" stuff is NEVER the solution to breaking up
lists, especially where number 137, say, could be a better
choice than number 14.

>I haven't tried Upton's Kenya or Java yet; having been quite pleased with
>Special Tea's varieties in the past, I know I'll like them. Unless
>someone wants to hear about it (or them), I won't provide another of these
>superficial reviews.

"Java tea".

Love the irony.

--Blair
"Something about a tippy-flowery
arabica that wants a smirk."

In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
23:52:35 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:

> Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>>
>>Please don't post any more lists of yummy teas. They're causing some of
>>us hardship, as we feel compelled to order some for ourselves!
>
> Sir. Put down the Internet and walk away.

No way!

>>I decided to try Upton, for the first time.
>
> And what happened?

I placed the order late Wednesday night, and expect to see the package
Monday or perhaps Saturday.

>>You ordered a Darjeeling and they sent a Ceylon?
>
> I guess. It's free, as they didn't charge anything for the replacement;

I missed the part about it being a sample.

> I like their idea better.

Yes, it sounds good.

> I've got lots of tea
> to try, or I'd call them and see what the deal with it is.

Happy brewing.

In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
23:52:35 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:

[second follow-up]

> Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>>
>>I decided to try Upton, for the first time.
>
> And what happened?

I ordered late Wednesday night and the package arrived Saturday morning.

I got

Darjeeling: Sungma second-flush DJ-170, SFTGFOP1S
Ceylon: Kenilworth "Wilson Select", OP1
Java: Sperata "high-grown", OP
Kenya: "Golden Kenya", TGFOP

Sungma: I don't really have the words to describe the taste other than to
say it's as good as I remembered. It's tiny leaves and tips and feels
quite fluffy when I measure it. Unfortunately, it costs six or seven
times as much as Lipton Premium but, as a consolation, I can't get Lipton
Premium or Brooke-Bond Supreme in town any more. It's exactly what I
wanted.

What is that DJ-170 anyway?

Kenilworth: It has a "darker" flavor than I'm used to, perhaps with a hint
of chocolate. I think next time I'll order a variety described as lemony
or citrusy. It's not extraordinarily better than the cheap stuff in a box
($6/lb) but, as a consolation again, I can't get the cheap stuff in town
any more, either. I certainly won't have any problem drinking it.

I haven't tried Upton's Kenya or Java yet; having been quite pleased with
Special Tea's varieties in the past, I know I'll like them. Unless
someone wants to hear about it (or them), I won't provide another of these
superficial reviews.

Hamilcar Barca > wrote:
>In article > (Fri, 04 Jun 2004
>02:21:45 +0000), Blair P. Houghton wrote:
>> Blair P. Houghton > wrote:
>>>I did a little shopping online at SpecialTeas.Com today:
>>>
>>>[list of teas]
>>
>> Well that was quick.
>
>Please don't post any more lists of yummy teas. They're causing some of
>us hardship, as we feel compelled to order some for ourselves!

Sir. Put down the Internet and walk away.

>> I ordered it Sunday and it was in my mailbox today.
>
>That's standard for Special Teas. I decided to try Upton, for the first
>time.

And what happened?

>> the Makaibari, must have been out of stock, because
>> they substitued Kenilworth OP and deducted the price of the
>> Makaibari.
>
>You ordered a Darjeeling and they sent a Ceylon?

I guess. It's free, as they didn't charge anything
for the replacement; they could have just said "out of
stock" and deleted the price and done nothing to make up.
I like their idea better.

The website still has the Maikabari listed, so maybe they
just didn't have the $2 sample sizes. I've got lots of tea
to try, or I'd call them and see what the deal with it is.

--Blair
"Step *away* from the interaction."