14 October, 2008

2007 Jiuwan - Tongqinghao Shupu

If you live in any of the following locations, keep an eye out!

Outbox


Just a flying visit with this inexpensive little shupu. I'm not drinking too many of these teas nowadays, but perhaps I should given their warming effect on cold autumnal days.

I think this sample is from RJ, but neglected to make a note on receiving it - danke schone, if so!

This was a surprisingly active shupu, with a good, thick texture and plenty of sweetness that sits nicely in the throat. If I were looking for a daily office shupu, this would be a good candidate, being priced at less than $8 at Yunnan Sourcing. I've never heard of the factory or the brand before, and imagine that this is from the recent "new wave" of factories.


Headington Hill


Having no photos for this tea, I instead offer you a mushroom from the park. I'd love to be a professional mycologist, but perhaps I'd just eat my way through my specimens, rather than study them...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice Shaggy Ink Cap!!


R

Hobbes said...

Good work that man :)

Anonymous said...

Ahh, mycology! These are Coprinus Comatus!
They are edible and delicious with garlic, chives and a little butter! But they don't keep well, you have to eat them inside 1 or 2 days. They are very common in fall.

Hobbes said...

Ah, Shaggy Ink Cap as R-James detected!

Thanks for the culinary tip, I think I'll head back out into the field and begin the harvest. They certainly live up to their name, as my hands became stained quite black from the sticky ink when I was last there.

Perhaps I should post my other mushroom photographs in order to get eat/don't-eat approval!


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

Anonymous said...

Mmm Inky Caps

Anonymous said...

my conservation and countryside management education has given me quite a mushroomy knowledge, if you need any checked out don't hesitate to let me know, and I will give you the best opinion I can.

I shall add my disclaimer that I take no responsibility if you die, but as there are only 9 deadly fungus in the British isles [I think] you should be good!

Mycology is a subject I could spend hours on it is brilliant!


R

Hobbes said...

I wish more people were educated in such things! It sounds like a great course to take. The closest I got was conservation work in a local trust-land - all good fun, though.

I'm used to likening teas to various kinds of woods, but many are "mushroom-y". Perhaps with a more broad appreciation of the various flavours of mushroom, someone might hazard to liken teas to "inky caps", etc. :)


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

Unknown said...

People do sometimes refer to an earthy or mushroomy aroma, but for me mushrooms have such a variety of tastes and textures it is amazing. From the young birch bolete [a personal favourite] to the puffball [great sliced and fried with garlic and served with bacon and sausage]right through to the crazy looking, bright, but awesomely meaty sulphur polypore [chicken of the woods].

Grab your basket and your mushroom book and go collecting. But always be very careful, and if you are in any doubt about what it is, leave it for the slugs.

Hobbes said...

Good advice!

Sulphur polypore sounds absolutely terrifying, by the way.


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

eileen said...

A diversion from tea perhaps, but why can the slugs have them? Or do the slugs perish?

Unknown said...

What I mean is, slugs feast well on Mushrooms and Toadstools, even where a human may perish or become unwell. I mean no harm on the little blighters, it is just that what we can't stomach makes food for others.

Stephen Shelton said...

Thanks very much!
Received my package today. Enjoying my second cup as I type this note.

Hobbes said...

Great stuff - glad it arrived :)

Unknown said...

To Hobbes

I've been reading some of your shupu reviews today and they are excellent for a newbie like me(as is all of your reviews), and I was wondering if you have any wise suggestions for someone who hasn't really traveled down that road - which shupu should I buy in order to travel safely?

Terje

Hobbes said...

Dear Terje,

I'm glad to read that you're finding it useful!

Shupu can really disappoint. You can stick with things like the (relative pricey) Menghai V93 and be marginally happier.

Never, ever buy cheap shupu from unknown factories - not only is it unpleasant, but it can be really filthy!


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

P.s. I like the Haiwan little gold brick, too.