tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post4422882626017244468..comments2023-07-05T09:38:23.624+01:00Comments on The Half-Dipper: 2011 Charen "Guafengzhai, Luoshuidong, Dingjiazhai Autumn" and "Laoman'e Summer"Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-70803771857124991342013-06-05T09:21:41.973+01:002013-06-05T09:21:41.973+01:00Dear DP,
Thanks for the update - what a fascina...Dear DP,<br /><br /> Thanks for the update - what a fascinating change. Since writing this article, I haven't tried any of Eugene's teas, and perhaps it's time I did so; I keep seeing the name of a "Miles" cake (his son?) cropping up from time to time.<br /><br /> As far as Luoshuidong, whenever I hear teafolk refer to the region, it is always with a sense of disdain! Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-64609419759753520382013-06-03T05:24:58.711+01:002013-06-03T05:24:58.711+01:00Autumn TeaUrchin revisited: Well, guess it is time...Autumn TeaUrchin revisited: Well, guess it is time for me to eat crow. It's been awhile since I have had any time to check out the tea blogs. You weren't kidding when you said to treasure my sleep. The baby wasn't concerned about me having time for tea or sleep or anything else for that matter.<br /><br />Anyway, just returned from Yunnan a couple weeks ago. Before I left, I decided Shangershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685822518875371875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-80290406062232407922013-02-21T19:28:38.305+00:002013-02-21T19:28:38.305+00:00Hobbes,
Taste, feeling, and quality like so many t...Hobbes,<br />Taste, feeling, and quality like so many things is completely subjective, Luckily I have only tried the Tea Urchin's spring teas. To be completely honest with you, Eugene and Belle's teas have more heart, and complex flavor than any other tea that I have ever tried. (and believe me, I have raided the depths of Yunnan sourcing, San Francisco's China town, and ebay)If you Theodorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798771661483811035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-33674139617995208912012-07-03T13:39:07.326+01:002012-07-03T13:39:07.326+01:00Many congratulations on your new addition to the f...Many congratulations on your new addition to the family! Much changes, little remains the same - in a lovely way, as you'll no doubt have concluded. Treasure your sleep when you can get it! I remember a few weeks of sleeping involuntarily after lunch...<br /><br /><br />Toodlepip,<br /><br />HobbesHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-70637956084427066142012-07-03T06:58:05.049+01:002012-07-03T06:58:05.049+01:00Hey Hobbes,
Storage really is important. The 3 tea...Hey Hobbes,<br />Storage really is important. The 3 teas from EOT that I referred to all had a floral/chemical flavor to them. Almost like it was stored in a clothes closet and soaked up the detergent smells. I have had one Jingmai tea like that from a friend of a friend. It was really disappointing to me that they had the storage issue because I was looking forward to them. I won't mention Shangershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685822518875371875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-88328593862452901412012-07-02T16:07:31.892+01:002012-07-02T16:07:31.892+01:00Dear Shangers,
I am always amazed at the abilit...Dear Shangers,<br /><br /> I am always amazed at the ability of shengpu to acquire the strangest of storage notes, funky or otherwise. :)<br /><br /> The cakes I have from Nada in 2008-2011 have been aging well, although, unsurprisingly, they are in the "dry" genre - clean, slow-to-age, but remaining nice and potent.<br /><br /> I'm looking forward to trying Eugene's cakes Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-66770333792607713812012-07-02T08:46:35.420+01:002012-07-02T08:46:35.420+01:00Hey Hobbes,
Yes, I actually read your tasting note...Hey Hobbes,<br />Yes, I actually read your tasting notes on the others before I posted. I didn't see a review the teas that I bought in quantities in the notes. For instance, the Charen Mangzhi. Of his Autumn teas, I found that one to be the strongest flavor overall. I did like the GSZ as well though. Also, we tried the maocha of the Xikong from Xinshenglihao at my home before he bought it. IShangershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685822518875371875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-69922912774282853762012-06-27T17:22:44.687+01:002012-06-27T17:22:44.687+01:00Dear Shangers,
Thanks for the comments, they ma...Dear Shangers,<br /><br /> Thanks for the comments, they made for excellent reading. I tend to have the same problems in writing about Essence of Tea cakes, because I'm a bit biased towards the ventures of friends. That said, the cakes have been good from 2008-2011, and my praise has been justified up to 2011, I think. The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, after all.<br /><br />I&#Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-8372076753888666792012-06-25T12:32:28.391+01:002012-06-25T12:32:28.391+01:00Sorry for the removed comments. Couldn't stand...Sorry for the removed comments. Couldn't stand looking at the format... <br /><br />Oh, btw... yes his Spring teas are good this year... Some are outstanding...<br />-DPShangershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685822518875371875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-22604176344055327182012-06-25T12:29:51.790+01:002012-06-25T12:29:51.790+01:00Disclaimer: I am friends with Eugene.
Interesting...Disclaimer: I am friends with Eugene.<br /><br />Interesting review. I thought for awhile about whether or not I wanted to comment because, as you know, Eugene is one of my closest friends and I didn't want what I said to come across as disingenuous. That certainly will not be the case, as Eugene himself would admit that I am one of his toughest critics. Overall, I do agree with your Shangershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685822518875371875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-22625974131184845312012-06-24T16:36:54.720+01:002012-06-24T16:36:54.720+01:00Shah8 - there's a reason for this, as numerous...Shah8 - there's a reason for this, as numerous conversations with friends who frequent tea regions have alluded to - in 2006, they were often harvesting near the villages. These days, a 3 hour hike into the mountain for some maocha is almost routine. The added distance does all kinds of things to the leaves, if you're not careful about how you handle the recently harvested leaves.MarshalNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16776398824139018801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-77484695734397846262012-06-23T00:18:54.062+01:002012-06-23T00:18:54.062+01:00I don't really buy this. Up to 2006, it doesn...I don't really buy this. Up to 2006, it doesn't seem like there were that many issues with processing Yiwu, as opposed to any other region. There were more issues with non-plantation Bulang!<br /><br />I think it's simple excess demand. Perhaps the demand makes facilities for processing more hard to come buy, as many people have to wait to get their leaves done.<br /><br />--shah8Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-28450891382190574012012-06-22T12:34:10.298+01:002012-06-22T12:34:10.298+01:00Greetings, Sir!
I hope that all is warm and comfo...Greetings, Sir!<br /><br />I hope that all is warm and comfortable in Hong Kong. Given your access to good tea, I wouldn't say no to your generous offer! I've been back to those Changtai-pressed private selections many times.<br /><br /><br />Toodlepip,<br /><br />HobbesHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-55473562398947588552012-06-22T09:54:57.805+01:002012-06-22T09:54:57.805+01:00Hi Hobbes,
Hope all is good and well at your end.
...Hi Hobbes,<br />Hope all is good and well at your end.<br /><br />A bit on my fav yiwu area, guafengzhai. These few years we've seen prices catching up to laobanzhang even. Getting good maocha in these area with great demand is all about timing, connections and money. There are also areas in guafengzhai itself which are superior than others.<br />Let me get you some 2012 spring when I get my sp1keyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03208125950452022524noreply@blogger.com