Hello all,

I know there are some very seasoned Pu-Erh veterans around here, and
after continued reading about it I've decided to give it a second go.
(My first Pu-Erh experiences some years back were not so great) I
decided to order one of each of the Pu-Erh's that Uptons offered seen
here (except for the last one, the celestial tribute):
http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/sea...=items&begin=0

Are these a good re-introduction? What should I be looking for out of
them? Are they even decent? Which out of these would be your choice? As
always, my thanks for any and all help and knowledge you can offer.

- Dominic
Drinking: Congo Bongo Tea... some strange coconut/black tea.

Dominic 3/3/06


> Hello all,
>
> I know there are some very seasoned Pu-Erh veterans around here, and
> after continued reading about it I've decided to give it a second go.
> (My first Pu-Erh experiences some years back were not so great) I
> decided to order one of each of the Pu-Erh's that Uptons offered seen
> here (except for the last one, the celestial tribute):
> http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/sea...atchAll=1&sear
> chOptionCategory=1&searchOptionItemName=1&searchOp tionItemDescription=1&search
> OptionDocuments=1&searchOptionLimitCategory=Teas%3 EPu%2DErh&searchOptionPriceR
> ange=0&sType=items&begin=0
>
> Are these a good re-introduction? What should I be looking for out of
> them? Are they even decent? Which out of these would be your choice? As
> always, my thanks for any and all help and knowledge you can offer.
>
> - Dominic
> Drinking: Congo Bongo Tea... some strange coconut/black tea.
>

Dominic,

I looked at the Upton page from your link. I don't think the several teas
listed there represent Pu'erh well. I've tried several of them in the
past.They are not bad, but they will not give you a hint of what a fine
young green cake can taste like. They seem cooked, all of them. I recommend
that you try one of the many available "buds only" cakes. These are very
easy to like and will give you a good feeling for the green musty sweetness
that Pu'erh can be. There are other more flavorful and more complex young
green Pu'erhs available as well. For me they fall into taste categories:
Those that feature flavors akin to fruit or flower or smoke or even cigar
ash, or some combination thereof. The latter types can be quite off putting.
There is much to tell and much to learn and much to experience. We haven't
even mentioned the glorious subtlety and gentle strength of the older
versions of those green Pu'erhs.

Michael

Dominic T. wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I know there are some very seasoned Pu-Erh veterans around here, and
> after continued reading about it I've decided to give it a second go.
> (My first Pu-Erh experiences some years back were not so great) I
> decided to order one of each of the Pu-Erh's that Uptons offered seen
> here (except for the last one, the celestial tribute):
> http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/sea...=items&begin=0
>
> Are these a good re-introduction? What should I be looking for out of
> them? Are they even decent? Which out of these would be your choice? As
> always, my thanks for any and all help and knowledge you can offer.


Hi Dominic,

The Upton Puerhs are mediocre IMHO. here are a few suggestions, these
are all available in sample sizes so they wont break the bank:

http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_zhuan_cha_man.cfm
This is a nice mild green puerh that is wont shock your senses like
some greens do.

http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_zhuan_cha_ban.cfm
This brick is a favorite of mine, slightly smokey in a good way.

http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_nan.cfm
An interesting green puerh that clearly evolves through multiple steeps

http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_7572_blue.cfm
http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_1996_mh.cfm
Either one of these would represent a good cooked puerh to try.

http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...duc ts_id=137
http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...duc ts_id=209
These are both nice "Silver Needle" puerhs which are more gentle to the
uninitiated.

http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...duc ts_id=296
This hints at what a nice well aged puerh can become, probably not the
best choice for a beginner due to the price.


Enjoy the reintroduction,

Mike
http://www.pu-erh.net

Dominic T. wrote:
> Great! Thanks, I only spent a small amount at Upton's and ordered some
> tea canisters too... so It won't kill me. Of the ones I did buy, which
> ones will be the better ones, so I have some Idea of what I should be
> expecting?

Not sure which ones you bought but the only one that I think is decent
is the Organic Pu-Erh Mini Tuo Cha, Special Grade, the rest are run of
the mill loose blacks. None of these were green puerhs which represent
a whole different spectrum of flavors.



> I hope to. Your site has been a great resource, and when I read the
> "about you" page I think we may be long lost brothers. Tea, Yixing,
> Kites, Fish (chichlids, swordtails, gourami's), Home automation,
> computers, Bonsai, and music are my hobbies... that was a little
> freaky. There aren't many folks with that same grouping of interests
> I'm sure.

Actually you are about the 3rd or 4th guy I* have run across with a
similar mix of interests, but nonetheless it is kind of freaky. Email
me offline sometime....

Mike
http://www.pu-erh.net

Mike Petro wrote:
> Not sure which ones you bought but the only one that I think is decent
> is the Organic Pu-Erh Mini Tuo Cha, Special Grade, the rest are run of
> the mill loose blacks. None of these were green puerhs which represent
> a whole different spectrum of flavors.

I bought one of each one that they carry, except for the celestial
tribute. That was what I was hoping to get a feel for which would be
the best of the bunch on.

> Actually you are about the 3rd or 4th guy I* have run across with a
> similar mix of interests, but nonetheless it is kind of freaky. Email
> me offline sometime....

I almost wrote that maybe it wasn't such a coincidence and that all of
those disparate hobbies might have some common thread tieing them
together... but I thought that was just a crazy thought of mine. Must
not be so crazy afterall. I will email you sometime, it would be
interesting to learn more.

- Dominic

"Mike Petro" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
here are a few suggestions, these are all available in sample sizes so they
wont break the bank:...


Mike,

I'm getting ready to order some samples from Jing's. Any recommendations
from their aged pu-erhs? I had a small aged sample from Teaspring when I
first tried Pu, and got some tou chas in San Francisco's Chinatown that
seemed older than what I was used to, but I've mostly had younger pu-erhs.
Thought I should sample some with a few years on them. Unfortunately the
budget won't allow anything real old.

Thanks,

Blues

Currently drinking Guricha from Den's Tea. It's a sencha processed in a
Chinese style. One of my new favorite greens.

>I'm getting ready to order some samples from Jing's. Any recommendations
>from their aged pu-erhs? I had a small aged sample from Teaspring when I
>first tried Pu, and got some tou chas in San Francisco's Chinatown that
>seemed older than what I was used to, but I've mostly had younger pu-erhs.
>Thought I should sample some with a few years on them. Unfortunately the
>budget won't allow anything real old.

Hi Blues,

Unfortunately Seb doesn't really offer samples of puerh older than 10
years or so except by special request. While these are quite good they
do not yet reveal the true pleasure of a properly matured puerh yet.
If you are placing an order with Seb anyway try these two
http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_1999.cfm
http://www.jingteashop.com/pd_jing.cfm
They are both from 1999 and are quite good, but I really wouldn't call
them "aged" puerh yet, they are more of an adolescent puerh.

Consider Grandtea, Yat has recently started selling sample sizes of
20-30 year old tea. This is a good way to see what its all about
without taking on a second mortgage.
http://www.grandtea.com/scripts/prod...?idCategory=73

Guang at Hou De also offers sample size of 20-30 year old puerh. Guang
has delivered some fine samples in the past. I recommend the 70s GYG,
it is not the best of the genre but it is pretty good for the price
range.
http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...duc ts_id=296

Cheers,
--
Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net

> Hi Blues,
>
> Unfortunately Seb doesn't really offer samples of puerh older than 10
> years or so except by special request. ...(snip)

> Guang at Hou De also offers sample size of 20-30 year old puerh. Guang
> has delivered some fine samples in the past. I recommend the 70s GYG,
> it is not the best of the genre but it is pretty good for the price
> range.
> http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.p...duc ts_id=296
>
> Cheers,
> --
> Mike Petro
> http://www.pu-erh.net

Mike,

Thanks, Mike. Placed my order with Jing, some samples, a bing and a few
tuos totaling about 750g. I'm looking forward to sampling a variety of
young pu-erhs. I also ordered the 70's GYG from Hou De. It seemed a bit
frivolous for someone of my means to pay that much for 10g of tea, but at
least I will be able to say I've tasted 30 year old pu-erh.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Blues

Drinking 2004 Xiaguan Gold Ribbon Tuo Cha
Listening to Dylan and the Band - After the Flood
Maybe an odd mix, but why not?