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/ck/ - Food & Cooking


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8099034 No.8099034 [Reply] [Original]

/tea/ thread:
What are you drinking? What are you waiting for?
Some info:
http://pastebin.com/EnUxQGdK

>tfw finishing my ripe menghai cake

>> No.8099091

>>8099034
Guys, how about we enhance the pastebin a little?
I'd recommend for Japan:
>Thes du Japon
Wide selection, overall good quality and price. Buy in Yen, as it's cheaper than in Euro/USD.
>Hibiki-an
A little on the expensive side, don't buy the accessiories, as they are overpriced. But they have some not so common teas like Tencha and their interfact is pretty easy.

For China:
>Cha-Shifu
Very well reputed store (see f.e. the German forum Teetalk). Good prices, ships from China afaik. Wide selection. In my opinion not the friendliest seller though
>Chadao
Very well reputed in Germany as well. One of the nicest, good hearted sellers I've ever met. Great selection, fair prices. Probably not so interesting for people outside the EU though.

Also how about we enhance the OP a little with a How-To get buyers advice, as it's quite difficult to help people who have no idea what info we need to help them.

I think I'll have some Tai Ping Hou Kui soon. Will post a pic or two.

>> No.8099184

Just ordered some uji shirakawa gyokuro from o-cha. Having urges to get a new houhin.

>> No.8099265

>>8099184
Can you sell me on japanese tea?
Never had it, been drinking chinese for a while

>> No.8099284

>>8099265
They are more grassy, adstringent and taste very different in general. If you get a Kamairi-cha, it is basically a Japanese version of Chinese green tea, so that might be a good start.
What else do you want to know.
Not the anon you were replying to btw.

>> No.8099288

>>8099284
Does it work better gong fu or with a different leaf water ratio?

>> No.8099309

>>8099288
if you buy from a reputable source (e.g. thes du japon) they have the recommended water/leaf ratio on it. I'd recommend you to start with about 1 or 2g less on 100ml than they recommend.

>> No.8099399

>>8099288
>>8099309
Got some more time now.
Sencha:
Pretty much the most common tea in japan. Generally speaking, the further south it is grown, the sweeter it is, the further north, the more complex and refined it is. Both have their qualities, while the stuff from the south is generally cheaper.
Organic is usually a little more adstingent than regular.
There are good ones in every price league.
Kabusecha:
Between Sencha and Gyokuro
Gyokuro:
Essentially it's a differently finished Sencha, it tastes 100% different though. I wouldn't recommend this for somebody who starts with japanese teas, as they are pretty offputting at first. Don't buy under 20€/100g and don't expect anything great until 50€/100g
Genmaicha:
It contains puffed rice, which makes the tea very interesting. Tastes good to meals. Would recommend for starters that don't look for a "pure" tea experience
Kamairicha:
Closest to chinese tea, as it is produced similarly. Tastes good and
Kukicha/Bancha:
Never had, doesn't look appeticing to me and I'm on a tight budget
Hojicha:
Roasted and that's what it tastes like. Hard to describe otherways
Matcha and Tencha:
Don't get this for the start. Good ones are expensive and you probably won't even like them, until you are used to jap. green teas.

Personally I'm not a fan of japanese black tea and oolong. Both are bland as it gets imo. but you can try them.

>> No.8099548

>>8099091
Op here, create a new one and add the info on the old one to your own, posting on my phone so cant do it myself

>> No.8099706

Japanese greens aren't more astringent than Chinese ones, why do people say this? They might be a bit more sensitive. I find proper brewed Japanese greens grassy, sweet and a bit savoury, not astringent at all tho. Not as complex as Chinese ones.

>> No.8100047

>>8099548
I will once the thread is dieing. Maybe someone else has some more additions. Sadly I don't know any US-based sellers, only stuff in Japan/China and especially Germany.

>>8099706
Do you mean a Sencha is less astringent than a f.e. Longjing/Bi Luo Chun? Because I'd have to disagree there.
But yes, a Kamairi-cha isn't necessarily more astringent than a typical chinese green tea.
Same goes for a chinese Sencha vs. a japanese Sencha.
But I really think the more prominent teas in Japan (mostly Sencha) are more astringent, or at least have a tendency towards it, than those in China. Especially Fukamushi.

>> No.8100450

>>8099034
>puerh cake still in the mail
i cant deal with this i need it

>> No.8100625

Might get a gaiwan today since I'm going with bro to a suburban teahouse which sells one, hopefully some good tea samples as well.

I also have a friend going to Guangzhou next month. Any recommendations on what to get for some poorfag with around 250 Yuan in tea budget?

>> No.8100799

>>8100625
>250 yuan
you cant buy anything like that

>> No.8101250

>>8100047
I didn't say they were less astringent, just not astringent at all. Sounds like you're brewing it wrong or doesn't know what the word astringent means. Matcha have astringency though.

>> No.8101756
File: 1.67 MB, 3264x2448, image.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8101756

Just about to start my birthday cake

>> No.8101772

>>8100625
sry mate, youll only get a cheap green for that, tea in china isnt cheap

>> No.8101883
File: 224 KB, 2048x1152, gaiwan.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8101883

>>8100799
>>8101772
Ah ok, I have no idea about tea prices so I think I'll give up on that.

On another note, I got my gaiwan and some sample puerh coins. Smells and tastes a bit woody, but I like it even after the seventh infusion.

I also bought 500g Earl Grey leaves. Might actually taste compare with some remaining bagged ones I still have to actually feel the difference.

>> No.8102073

>>8101756
Never seen a cake like this before - it looks really fresh. Is it ready for drinking or do you need to age it first? What is it?

>>8101883
Really nice gaiwan. 500g Earl Gray seems like a lot though. Do you drink it often?

>> No.8102204

>>8102073
It's a white tea cake, bai mu dan and shou fei aged about 5 years. Drinking well now, quite fruity to start out with minerals coming out after a few brews. I'm planning to drink half now and store the rest for a couple of years.

>> No.8102259

>>8102204
Oh, that sounds really nice! Where did you get it?

>> No.8102323

>>8102259
This one was from chinalife.com

>> No.8102332
File: 430 KB, 1239x1239, The tea of champions.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8102332

Step aside, bitches...

>> No.8102392
File: 72 KB, 600x600, Kung markatta tea.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8102392

Kung Markatta actually has very good bags of tea. I almost thought I hated tea because it was all >>8102332 at first. Thankfully drinking one quite expensive cup of green tea at a chinese restaurant made me realize it's not all shit.

>> No.8102639
File: 80 KB, 599x585, image.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8102639

>>8102392
>tea bags

>> No.8102703

>>8102323
Thank you! Went to the website and it seems like it was the wrong link but I found it at chinalifeweb.com.

>> No.8103156

>>8102392
>tea bags
>good
not such thing

>> No.8103569

>>8102639
>>8103156
Honestly what is wrong with tea bags I use them cause its super convenient and economical. I know loose leaf is better but why hate it?

>> No.8103624

>>8103569
>what is wrong with tea bags
Everything
>why hate it?
Because it's utter shit

Tea bags is the equivalent to freeze dried instant coffee.

>> No.8103632

>>8103624
Even worse, since tea is way more delicate than coffee.

>> No.8103643
File: 62 KB, 500x669, Nice hair, faggot.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8103643

>>8102639
>>8103156
>>8103624
>>8103632

What a bunch of limp-wristed pussies....

>> No.8103687

>>8103643
>you're a limp-wristed pussy if you like good food
Get the fuck out of /ck/ already

>> No.8103708

What does pu-er taste like, why do you like it

>> No.8103804

>>8103708
depends it can tasty earthy and woody or like rotten vagina

>> No.8103850

>>8103708
I've only had one pu erh so far and it tasted very earthy, like autumn leaves in a wet forest. But it also tasted surprisingly fresh, not as dirty as it might sound. It was a cooked pu erh. Pretty nice.

>> No.8104050

>>8103804
You've tried rotten vaginas, anon?

>> No.8104070

Is a French press useable for teas as well? I have a small infuser but it seems to be only good for broken leaves like English Breakfast. When I use white teas, the leaves seem to be unable to expand well. I think I'm missing out on a lot of flavors.

>> No.8104082

>>8101756
>all those twigs

>> No.8104095

>>8104070
You should be able to use a French press, just don't press the leaves too much. I don't see why the leaves wouldn't expand unless you're pressing down against them before they finish brewing.

>> No.8104149

>>8104095
When I use my infuser for green and white tea, the tea ends up a compressed big ball of leaves. For black tea with smaller leaves, it isn't that bad.

I also like coffee so I guess the press would be doubly useful.

>> No.8104192

>>8104149
Why don't you just buy a tea pot for $10-15?

>> No.8104247

>>8104192
The infuser I'm talking about came with the tea pot. I just felt that it's wasteful to buy another one, and my friend just gave me a press as a gift.

>> No.8104338

>>8104247
Are you a bum?

>> No.8104422

>>8102332
What exactly is Lipton's market? Is it for people who drink tea like medicine or supplements?

>> No.8104458

>>8104422
Probably. People who say "I only drink tea when I'm sick".

>> No.8104649

>>8104422
People who don't know any better, don't give a fuck, or only drink iced tea?

Or, people like my parents. They use a single bag to make a whole pot of it. Every day.

>> No.8104715

>>8104422
Had that in a youth hostel in england. It was so hilariously bad, I have no idea who actually buys them or why. I never had a worse black tea and I've seen some shit.

>> No.8104716

>>8104050
once i eaten one with pus

>> No.8105131

>>8104422
People who don't know shit. A few of my friends don't drink tea because they assume it's all shitty lipton stuff. They know I'm a tea buff, so they always offer me some when I'm at their house, and always look confused when I refuse to drink their piss water.

>> No.8105722

>>8104422
dumb americunts

>> No.8105816

I got an entire ounce of Chysanthemum thinking, because of its connotations in East-Asia, it would be imperial to do so. I forgot I'm literally steeping the leaves of a flower. It tastes fucking awful.

>> No.8105948

>>8105816
I enjoy chrysanthemum tea. It's light and refreshing. If you don't like it, maybe add some rock sugar which some Chinese do.

But before you dismiss chrysanthemum tea as just steeping the leaves of a flower, do try snow chrysanthemum.

>> No.8106474

>>8105816
dude that shit taste godly

>> No.8106480

>>8105948
>>8106474
Maybe I'm steeping too many flowers? I'm using a gaiwan, how many flowers should I be putting in?

>> No.8106498
File: 4 KB, 125x106, 1465531281232.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8106498

Watched an educational video from chinalife teahouse and learned I had shit taste since I only used tea bags and looseleaf can be as easy and economical as tea bags. /ck/ was right again.

>> No.8106515

Went down to the Tea Centre (Aussie shop) and got me an infuser and some tea samples. Fucking love the teas (esp. Japanese garden, Google it for ingredients) but noticed it has "flavouring" in among the good ingredients, does that mean it's shit?

>> No.8106533

>>8106515
Kind of. I'm not saying you're bad for liking blends, and I can enjoy a good blend once in awhile, but I would recommend getting just straight loose leaf as soon as possible. If you can't find a place that just sells loose leaf, I hear that Asian food stores also have them. The taste often times won't be as sweet as blends, but you're come to appreciate the flavors and see how people can get so obsessed over tea.

>> No.8106564

>>8106533
The Tea samples I have are loose leaf unless I'm understanding wrong. Do you just mean regular green tea etc. With nothing else added? What are the good teas?

>> No.8106626

>>8106564
>Do you just mean regular green tea etc. With nothing else added
Bingo. There's a lot of variety of tea, given its various growing conditions, oxidization process, and production techniques. Green teas are leaves that undergo some oxidization, but the process is stopped (in a heating process called kill-green) before they become red or black teas.
A key differentiation I like to make is between Chinese teas and Japanese teas; the former are pan fried while the latter are steamed, and that creates a different flavor. Of course, there are other tea cultures, but China and (secondarily) Japan have arguably the most diverse.
For Chinese green teas, I recommend starting off with Longjing, sometimes known as Dragonwell, or Tiguanyin (translated as Iron Goddess of Mercy), which is an oolong tea that resembles a green.
For Japanese green teas, I like gyokuro, but it can get a little pricey. There's nothing wrong with a good cup of sencha, either.
Just look up gongfu style, which is ultimately how you want to prepare your teas for maximum autistic and flavorful perfection. In the West, we're used to leaving our tea leaves in the cup or pot, which means the tea is continually steeping. This produces a bitter brew, which is why there's a practice of mixing tea with milk, honey, and sugar. In asian styles of preparation, the leaves are separated from the water at just the right time, under the right temperature, for its specific oxidation level. Brewing a green tea, for example, with boiling water ruins it, but boiling point is perfect for black teas.

>> No.8106744

Alright /ck/, sell me on some good black teas.

>> No.8106816

>>8106744
lapsang souchong

>> No.8106838
File: 91 KB, 960x781, teas.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8106838

>>8106816
Thanks
About to order my first real sampler of teas, am I missing anything here?

>> No.8106854

>>8106838
some oolong, like a tieguanyin

>> No.8106986
File: 656 KB, 1600x1600, yerba_m8.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8106986

>search page for 'yerba' , no results.

wut da fug. you plebs are missing out.

>> No.8107020

>>8106986
>shits that argentines drink
>they have to justifiy drinking such an horrible thing on the internet
lmao

>> No.8107027

I'm drinking a russian caravan with a lemon slice in the cup. Not special but its nice

>> No.8107040

>>8106744
Ruby Black and Bulang Black from Chinalife are both insanly good.

>> No.8107041

>>8106838
You should get a Chinese green like longjing or maofeng

>> No.8107336

>>8106533
>flavored teas a shit because they're for fags and you won't enjoy super complex flavors
>tipping this genuinely
If a person gets enjoyment out of some medley of green tea and spearmint then that's their taste buds. What are you, the flavor-preference police?

They only bother flavoring stale/poor quality tea. That's the reason why flavored tea sucks. Often time it will reflect in the price, especially if they also water it down with cheaper constituents like chunks of dried fruit. Nobody would waste good tea to flavor it.

>> No.8107418

>>8106986
Yerba just means herb you mong, you should have searched for just mate regardless no one refers to it as yerba mate, just mate.

>> No.8107724

do people really drink english breakfast?

>> No.8107762

>>8107336
He's right though

>> No.8108386
File: 19 KB, 300x300, 41S8e7lkbaL.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8108386

Picked up another pound of this stuff.

It's not fine tea, but it's thoroughly drinkable and fits my budget (454g for $9 US). Good liquor without a strong bitterness or any other "off" flavors, low amount of twigs and dust overall, mostly full or at least large partial.

I'm a lazy cunt so I brew my tea with those paper disposable bags and a drip coffee machine (clean, no flavor of coffee in it). I generally steep for however long it takes to drip the water (think 4-6 minutes), plus a minute or two, which gives a nice, neutral brew. I use a good bit of tea, maybe 20-30g, for a full pot of "12 cups" (those are 5 oz cups, so 60 oz or a little less than 1800 ml). I fill up the filter I use, anyway.

Am I doing it right? any suggestions you guys have for a poor, lazy fag?

>> No.8108405

>>8107418
muh bad m8.

>>8107020
wew i'm in northern burgerland m8.

>> No.8108415
File: 2.84 MB, 3888x2592, IMG_4416.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8108415

>>8108386
And a picture of the unsteeped leaves in case anyone is curious what $9/lb tea looks like.

>> No.8108451

>>8106838
That seems like a lot of English style teas. At least get a Chinese lapsang souchong if that one isn't already.

>> No.8108461

Does anyone have any recommendations for sencha on a budget?

>> No.8108462

>>8108386
wow

>> No.8108470

>>8108462
wow what?

also, weighed it out, closer to 15g of tea for 1800ml

>> No.8108474

>>8108470
That brewing process, just wow

>> No.8108480

>>8108474
It gets the water to like 93-95C, which is close enough for me. What more do you want?

>> No.8108500

>>8108480
Just buy a tea pot for ten bucks and brew it the proper way. Jesus Christ. Also a steeping time of 5+ minutes is way too long. Black tea should be brewed for about 90 seconds for the first steeping (add 60 seconds for each new steepnig) you're brewing western style.
I'm sick of people in this thread brewing their tea in fucking french presses and drip machines.

>> No.8108519

>>8108500
>Black tea should be brewed for about 90 seconds for the first steeping
I'll try that next time, I guess. not sure it's gonna give me a strong enough tea for my liking, though.

What's wrong with using a drip machine and carafe instead of a kettle and a teapot?

>> No.8108558

>>8108519
nothing wrong, it's to your liking.
please don't post in this thread anymore.
if you have questions regarding brewing styles, use google.

>> No.8108590

I fell for a meme
white2tea.com/product/2016-poundcake/
I hope it's really complex, or I won't buy expensive cakes anymore

>> No.8108641

>>8108590
Raw? Won't it need another ten years before trying? Or at the very least, five?

>> No.8108752

>>8108641
this

>> No.8108780

>>8099034
I exclusively drink Thiele

>> No.8109198

>>8108590
Isnt the poundcake like 50 dollars?
I know that is a lot of money for tea, specialy for young raw but that isnt that expensive, dont expect the best thing ever, its a solid tea

>> No.8109674
File: 973 KB, 3037x2025, marshalnchaozhou.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8109674

Looking to buy a chaozhou pot for dan cong.
Anyone know reputable stores with decent pieces in stock?

>> No.8110475

Got some chinese greens today, all from 2016.

Long Mei
Mao Feng
Lu Shan Yun Wu

Unfortunately I don't have a tea pot or a kettle right now. I'll try boiling water in small pots, eyeballing the temperature and infusing in a small cup. Any better ideas? Inb4 buy some, I can't afford it now.

>> No.8110527

>>8110475
Grandpa style is always an option.
If you aren't a fan of tea leaves you can create a make shift gaiwan out of any small vessel with a lid or strainer.

>> No.8110645

>>8110475
You can't afford a teapot for ten bucks? Then why did you buy the tea in the first place? You should be stacking tuna and noodles.

>> No.8110913

sup lads, any recs for starting equpment?

>> No.8110932
File: 49 KB, 800x533, image.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8110932

>>8110913
Tea pot with a strainer
Kitchen thermometer

All you need really

>> No.8110961

>>8110932
Dont listen to him get a gaiwan, if you are keen on a teapot buy one without that basket infuser thing, get one with the filter right before the spout

>> No.8110980

>>8106986
I like Yerba mate as well, but I bought a kilo of it and I'm getting sick of it. I try to make it for my friends and family, but no one else likes it. They all say it tastes like dirt, must, or squash. I don't understand

>> No.8111780

>>8110913
>>8110961
This is the correct answer if you want to get the highest versatility for higher quality teas.
If you usually have tea by yourself a 100-150mL gaiwan is a good size.

>> No.8111818
File: 102 KB, 1045x444, tea.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8111818

I'm a tea noob trying to get into it. Do you think this is a good start?

>> No.8111855

>>8111818
Yes.

>> No.8111972

>>8111818
>>8111818
>>8111818
go for porcelain instead of glass
glass gets way hotter than porcelain
I have both

>> No.8112008

>>8111972
How important is it to see the colour change?

>> No.8112020

>>8112008
it's not? yes a glass one is aesthic but way harder to use for high temp teas

>> No.8112036

>>8112008
Alright. I'll get a nice porcelain one.

What about clay?

>> No.8112047

>>8112036
get a yixing one

>> No.8112062

>>8099034
>/tea/
>it's all asian shit
pathetic

>> No.8112066

>>8112062
>its a good taste thread
i know right

>> No.8112096

>>8112047
I've heard about some bad experiences with yixing. Do you own one?

>> No.8112139

>>8112066
oh, so it's because you're insecure

got it

>> No.8112142

>>8099034
just had some kenyan purple oolong

>> No.8112157

>>8112096
the bad experiences that you got are probably from people ripped by buying fake ones
>>8112139
how is that, champ? insecure about what?

>> No.8112174

>>8112096
Don't bother with yixing until you are more experienced.
Each pot is for a different type of tea and decent ones are $100+.
There is also an abundance of fakes.
A porcelain gaiwan is incredibly versatile, affordable, and allows for the most pure tasting experience.

>> No.8112183

>>8112157
>>8112096
I wouldn't recommend someone just starting to pick up a ~150$ brewing vessel instead of just a 12$ gaiwan which is a lot more versatile anyway

>> No.8112333
File: 84 KB, 710x533, Sem Título.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8112333

Will make this order in a few days, what do you think?

>> No.8112514

>>8112333
I like the tea.
Personal aesthetic taste wise I am not a fan of gaiwan with colored interiors as it affects the color of the tea.
That being said it looks like a quality piece and the matching set is very nice.

>> No.8112534

>>8111780
any specific online stores? i checked my local asian supermarket and it doesn't have any gaiwans and just some cups.

>> No.8112536

Any good tea on Amazon?

>> No.8112580

>>8112534
If it is your first gaiwan just go for a simple white interior porcelain one.
Yunnan Sourcing has some good deals, but you can find gaiwan at almost every chinese tea shop.

>> No.8112581

>>8112534
aliexpress or ebay are good sources of gaiwans

>> No.8112921
File: 29 KB, 126x180, fuck you.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8112921

If you drink anything other than pic related, you're weeaboo trash

>> No.8112924

>>8112921
thank you mr trash man

>> No.8112935

>>8112921
Same colour as my pee lol

>> No.8112962

>>8112921
Is that gasoline?

>> No.8112970

>>8112935
>2016
>not staying hydrated and having clear piss
u wot

>> No.8112990

>>8112970
Too difficult my man

>> No.8113018
File: 1.08 MB, 1920x1920, 1474429931104.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8113018

>>8099034
Where can I get bulk amounts of Macha for relatively cheap

>> No.8113086

Other than the custom flavor mixing, is Adagio worth the money? Are they decent quality?

>> No.8113392

>>8113018
>where can I get shit tea
Literally anywhere

>> No.8113500

>>8113018
You dont, thats the kind of stuff that is nest consumed as fresh as possible

>> No.8113519

>>8113018
yunnansourcing has 1KG of organic matcha for 57 dollareedoos

>> No.8113705

>>8107724
If I'm at a hotel and that's my only option, then maybe?

>> No.8113792

>>8113519
Note that this isn't the typical japanese matcha.
The yunnan sourcing matcha is grown in China and made from a different tea.
That being said it is probably interesting and good quality.

>> No.8113814
File: 110 KB, 495x708, image.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8113814

>>8113792
Who the hell in their right mind would like to consume the whole leaf of Chinese teas? Just imagine all those chemicals.

>> No.8113846

>>8113814
did you know... YOU are made of chemicals?

makes you think

>> No.8113867

>>8113846
>I'm made out of EU-banned pesticides and heavy metals like lead
Wow, that REALLY makes me think

>> No.8114087

>>8113867
>Certified Organic to USDA and EU Standards by IMO (Switzerland)
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/greentea/3475-certified-organic-matcha-green-tea-powder-usda-and-eu-certified.html

>> No.8114098

>>8114087
Pesticide free then, how about heavy metals?

>> No.8115100

>>8106986
Protop: never buy brazilian mate, it have a lot of dust and your bombilla becomes clogged.
Anyway Taragüi es the best.

>> No.8115115
File: 96 KB, 900x900, 8c5dec8d40f9e0311cb0026dac1b753a.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8115115

Have anyone tried soursop green tea? This stuff is amazing. I need to get it online since I can't find it in any local store anymore.

>> No.8115331
File: 9 KB, 300x300, 41BIDrS5qYL._SY300_.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8115331

Newbie here. How do you guys measure your water/tea ratios? I bought a teapot weeks ago (with a removable infuser) and when I try brewing green tea for two people (since I can't seem to use it for one; water won't reach infuser) there doesn't seem to be much infuser space for tea to spread out.

The way I've been doing it is using a mug to measure out two 1/5th cups of cold water and two cups of boiling water (for green tea; I assume that's roughly the right temperature) and putting them in the teapot. Then putting two teaspoons of tea in the infuser and putting that in.

Feels like I'm doing it the tedious way (since I don't have a temp gauge yet) but also should I just get a smaller teapot? Should I increase/decrease water/tea ratios? Ideally I'd love to fill the whole put with water and know instinctively how many teaspoons of tea to use for that amount of water, but I can't.

>> No.8115499

>>8115331
120 ml per cup and 5g of tea, but i use a gaiwan.

>> No.8115558
File: 190 KB, 1152x768, 20110697.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8115558

>>8115499
5g is a bit much isn't it? I measured out 3 tsp of this stuff once and it came out only 2-3g. Then again it's plebeian flavoured tea and not traditional stuff so maybe different?

>> No.8115902

>>8115558
reee buy gaiwan make autismo tea or gtfo

>> No.8116577

>>8115331
green tea, but what kind? sencha dont expand too much for example.

>> No.8116620

>>8115331
http://chinalifeweb.com/guides/the-tea-brewing-chart/
This answers all your questions

>> No.8116913
File: 196 KB, 1024x682, golden-snail_1024x1024.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8116913

anyone try whispering pines? the grandmas on steepster seem to like all of their shit.

>> No.8116956

>>8116913
One of my friends actually knows the owner and I've only heard good things. I've never tried any of their stuff though because the prices seemed a little high.

>> No.8117080

>>8116620
Dont use this guide as the bible, use it as guidelines until you get a feel on how you prefer it

>> No.8117090

>>8099284
>They are more grassy, adstringent and taste very different in general
They do some cool shit with those aromas, but it's an aquired taste. If you're trying to ease into it, you could try going for Korean teas first. They tread the middle ground between Chinese and Japanese teas.

The Taiwanese produce great Oolongs, if that's what you're into.

>> No.8117322

>>8115115
What's it like? Do they use the dried fruit or the leaves of the plant?

>> No.8117341

>>8117322
They use the dry fruit pulp, it's very fresh and exotic, taste like pineapple and citrus, hard to describe if you never tried soursop.
If you see it at your local store, give it a try.

>> No.8117342

>>8117080
The Bibles are guidelines as well since it's not written by God or the son of God. Unlike the Quran.

>> No.8117343

>>8116913
looks like baby tarantula legs

>> No.8117387

Are there any good autumn teas? I mostly drink sencha lately but a tea shop nearby has some autumnal herb stuff blended with some type of green tea. Think that's worth a second glance or no? I've also had some shitty black 'pumpkin' tea but it was awful.

>> No.8117410

>>8117387
What do you mean with autumn teas? Teas fitting for autumn?

>> No.8117423

>>8117342
>The Bibles are guidelines
I think you mean parables.

>> No.8117425

>>8117410
Pretty much. I love pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, maple, etc. Looking for something a bit less uh, aggressive than a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.

>> No.8117488

>>8117423
Not necessarily. Some are literal.

>> No.8117493

>>8117425
Puerh literally tastes like autumn leaves/autumn forest. Check that out if you want to enter the world of proper tea instead of those flavoured ones. Darker Oolongs also have a very comforting flavour profile.

>> No.8117508

>>8117493
Nice, I've had 'puerh' before from wegmans but it was broken into leaves like other teas, I assume more proper puerh would come in cakes. I'll have to order some like I've been meaning to for a while now.

>> No.8117511 [DELETED] 

>>8116620
Why is there huge difference between Gong Fu and Western brewing?

>> No.8117534

>>8117425
>>8117493
Also Lapsang Souchong which is literally wood smoked.

>> No.8117588

>>8117508
Good Puerh can be bought as separate leaves as well. You don't need to buy an entire cake. Just find a good shop/source.

>> No.8117597

>>8117588
Separated*

>> No.8117620

>>8117588
lieslieslies, no proper puer drinker will buy broken leaves, so no shop will offer it. It could literally be anything if you dont at least see the cake where its coming from

>> No.8117661

>>8117534
this, and da hong pao too

>> No.8117673

>>8099034
I put my sock in some hot water, tastes great!

>> No.8117674

Can I use two cups and a strainer to emulate gong fu style of brewing? My gaiwan set is still shipping.

>> No.8117836

>>8117620
>>8117620
Are you retarded? You can buy loose leaf Pu erh from Chinalife. If you're claiming Chinalife isn't having quality stuff then you're talking out of your ass.

>> No.8117859

>>8117674
Don't see why not, I've seen folks here recommend any regular cup and saucer for a ghettowan

>> No.8117868

>>8117674
It should work.
You might have to slightly modify parameters based on heat retention.

>> No.8118432

>>8117387
Maybe try osmanthus oolong while the afternoons are still warm, and move onto more roasted golden leaf oolongs as the fall progresses. Shui Xian when it starts it to get cold and wet.

>> No.8119046

>the puerh cake is not here
JUST

>> No.8119088

>>8117341
Will do anon.
I heard about the fruit from my parents trying to grow it at their place so you piqued my interest.

>> No.8119222
File: 199 KB, 1300x957, chinese-dark-tea-pu-erh-mandarin-packed-dried-peel-bamboo-background-36060919.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8119222

What's a good temperature and water/leaf ratio for one of these puerh-stuffed mandarin oranges?

>> No.8119277

I'm looking to get my professor some green tea as a gift for helping me out this semester. I'm not at all privy to tea, but I assume that my professor is quite knowledgeable about it. What would be a decent, small green tea present in the 15~ dollar range?

>> No.8119456

>>8119277
Sure that you can get a decent Gyokuro with that, or a Longjing.

>> No.8119464

>>8119222
What are you using to make it? I believe Puerhs steep at boiling just like a black tea.
>>8119456
Seconding that. Gyokuro is a premium grade shaded sencha, and you can't go wrong with longjing.

>> No.8119467

>>8119456
forget the add, if you go for the Longjing get sure that is really fresh.

>> No.8119506

>>8119456
>>8119464
Thanks guys. What seller would you recommend I buy from if I'm shopping in the US? Again I apologize for the newbie questions, but there are multiple sites on the pastebin and I don't know where to start.

>> No.8119553

>>8119464
>What are you using to make it?
Just a simple mug infuser.

>> No.8119571

>>8119506
not in the US but try yuuki chai, they ship really fast anyway.

>> No.8119577

Can confirm, ordered from Yuuki-cha last Wednesday and got my shipment today, choosing the middle shipping option.

>> No.8119604
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8119604

>>8119571
>>8119577
Again, thanks so much guys.

>> No.8119642

>>8119553
If you're going to leave it in while you're drinking, my rule of thumb is just enough to fill the bottom. If you're going to take it out after it's finished steeping, I'd say a tablespoon. You can probably get three or four good infusions out of it.

>> No.8120096

>>8116913
Honestly, looks just as good as good as Yunnan Sourcing but double the price. For example, http://yunnansourcing.com/en/spring-2016-harvest-loose-leaf-teas/4037-classic-laoshan-black-tea-from-shandong-spring-2016.html this is comparable to this https://www.whisperingpinestea.com/collections/puretea/products/ailaoshan-black.. This is my favorite tea right now. It's much better than the harvest being sold on verdant tea and cheaper. I've had almost all of their black and green tea if you want some suggestions. Whispering pines just has better A E S T H E T I C S.

>> No.8120113

>>8099034
I'm drinking a delicious high focus citrus tea with a splash of of milk to chill it down to drinking temprature.
I'm also pairing it with a light airy milk chocolate.
I'll post picture as soon as my phone turns on

>> No.8120199
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8120199

>>8120113
Here we are

>> No.8120251

>>8120113
What is high focus citrus tea?

>> No.8120272
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8120272

>>8120251
Bought this from a local chink.
It's pretty rare herbal citrus blend

>> No.8120282

>>8120272
i am gonna stab you in the urethra

>> No.8120308
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8120308

>>8120282
Not if i stab you in the dickhole first

>> No.8120310

Am I a pleb for liking bagged tea?

>> No.8120339

>>8120310
turbo pleb actually

>> No.8120344

>>8120310
You're only a pleb if you stick with it. I drink Chinese/Taiwanese/Japanese loose leaf at home but I actually have a bagged Darjeeling at work which is OK when I need some tea.

>> No.8120407
File: 24 KB, 541x250, ss+(2016-09-23+at+12.02.15).png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8120407

>>8120096
I'm looking to get pic related and a black and an oolong from yunnan sourcing. I really enjoyed the sample of this http://www.adagio.com/black/black_dragon_pearls.html that I got a year ago. I'll probably also place an order with what-cha for some of the vietnamese stuff and some wacky mystery teas.

>> No.8120679

>>8099034
Gyakuro and white tea from yuuki-cha
Their white is so hard to get.
Real floral, beautiful golden liqueur and a lingering, delicate flavor. Doesn't have much of a smell before it's brewed other than a mild hay smell.
This years gyakuro didn't impress me, not as flavorful for some reason.
What do you guys use to make tea?
A small Kyusu and a cheap electric kettle for me

>> No.8120703

im looking for a red (rooboi) tea that's naturally sweet that i had once but forgot the name of

>> No.8121444

>>8120703
that is not red tea

>> No.8121462
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8121462

Complete tea pleb here, only ever used teabags and want to take my tea game a few notches up.
What is recommended newbie setup? I understand one of the gaiwan things is necessary for starters? Also, any good internet tea shops in yurop? All answers are much appreciated

>> No.8121490

>>8121462
Read the thread instead of asking questions that have been answered several times.

>> No.8121556

>>8117836
>Chinalife
sure pal, believing claims of old trees and being flashed by all the media and smooth talk. ill never try a shitty vendor like that and i can tell without trying that its made for westerners with no experience and baseline in puer, wonder whos talking out of his ass

>> No.8121574

Do you lot prefer sheng or shu pu erh? I've been trying out a couple shengs from white2tea and they're pretty damn nice. Still need to try a wider range, but so far I prefer these flavors over what I get from shu.

>> No.8121584

>>8121574
shu is cheaper but doesnt age well and tends to develop offtaste, it also tries to imitate aged raw, so aged raw is obviously what most people are looking for

>> No.8121700

>>8121556
while I agree that chinalife has a lot of mumbo jumbo describing the age of the trees and the 1000 discernible tastes their content is very good for beginners who want to get into chinese tea, never bought from them and certainly wouldn't buy puer from them but I believe the tea they offer is good quality from what I've heard

>> No.8121941

>>8121556
They barely stock Pu erhs so I don't see your point really. The tea they carry is still quality stuff. Why would a beginner who's never had anything but tea bags buy cakes for several hundreds of dollars?

>> No.8122207

>>8121941
ill rephrase our conversation up for you, because you seem to lack basic comprehensive reading skills:
>you: you can also buy great ground saffron
>me: no you cant, its too expensive and nobody would sell nice saffron ground up
>you: Walmart has ground saffron and its awesome
>me: walmart sucks
>you. walmart barely stocks saffron

???
do you want to argue about quality or tell me it doesnt if beginners get scammed because they dont know better? Thats fucking stupid. As a beginner you buy some menghai cakes or tuos and are lucky if someone tells you loose leaves and dodgy shops claiming health-benefits,ancient history,tastenotes etc are shit, especially if you are supposed to pay top dollar for random scam-cakes or a pile of shitty looseleaf from all over the place.
now have a nice evening fag

>> No.8122459

Is it recommended to brew your second and subsequent infusions very shortly after your first, or is it fine to leave the leaves in the pot for a bit?

I feel like I'm getting too much of a caffeine rush from three infusions in ~30 minute time, so I'd like to space them out more.

>> No.8122496

I grow nana mint for tea, whenever I want some I can just grab some leaves straight off the plant.

>> No.8122804

I have $40 in paypal. Where can I get some tasty loose black tea? Haven't had anything good in a while but I usually go for adagio or local shop (no paypal).

>> No.8122812

>>8122804
https://secure.uptontea.com/store/toc.asp?parent=Teas&child=Black

I hear this place is good, low shipping cost also.

>> No.8122907

>>8122812
overwhelmed

>> No.8123277

>>8122207
You seem pretty mad. You should try not being so emotionally invested in petty arguments. However you missing out on my point isn't the fault of my reading comprehension. You claimed Chinalife is a "shitty vendor" who's trying to scam people by selling them shit Pu erh to westerners because no true scotsman. Chinalife barely stock Pu erh, they mainly stock Oolongs, greens and red. Pu erh isn't their main market, hence your argument about them trying to rip people off by selling loose leaf Pu erh is halting at best. What health benefits of tea that they claim are wrong? I've asked this several times when people in this thread get all butthurt about them claiming health benefits, nobody have so far been able to answer. Maybe you can be the first?

>> No.8123435

>>8101883
What is that teacup? I've been looking to get a glass one about that size.

>> No.8123545

>>8123277
i sure can, its a straight up lie that cant be proven wrong, like, nutrition is so complicated and mortality/health such a complicated field to seperate single variables from, that its as much of a stretch, to claim health benefits for a caffeinated drink like it would be for alcohol for example. If a red wine/cheese/oliveoil vendor woud claim health benefits, youd be careful (i hope), same goes for tea, its an advertisement strategy that no reputable vendor would use.

>> No.8123560

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2IJdfxWtPM

>> No.8123600

>>8123545
What is a straight up lie? You have to be more specific. You can't disprove claims without arguments. Also your example with wine and especially olive oil is awful since the health aspect is a big selling point of this food item.
http://www.monini.com/en/monini/knowing-oil/olive-oil-and-health.html
Hm, three pages of nutritional information.
Example,
>In addition, quality extra virgin olive oil is good for you because it is good: adds and enhances the taste of food, and is the condiment that has the best balance of fats. In fact it is low in saturated fat, the main cause of increased levels of cholesterol in the blood, high in mono unsaturated fat, which is oleic acid, and contains essential fatty acids omega 6 and omega 3 in a proper relationship to each other, and almost identical to the fat in breast milk, thus, positively influencing our body.

Now tell me, what health benefit claims from Chinalife are straight up lies? The fact that tea contains ponyphenols? The fact that tea contains vitamins? And how does this differ from Moninis claims of health benefits from their olive oil?

>> No.8123603

>>8123600
Polyphenols*

>> No.8123615

>>8123600
not the guy you are replying to but the whole argument started from their puerh, which while I dont know how good it is it has a very inflated price and claims that it is from 1000 yo trees, I dont think they are straight up lying, they are just gullible enough to believe what chinese farmers/tea merchants say

>> No.8123651

>>8102073
I like Earl Grey so the amount is not a problem, I also shared them with some friends who like it. I did actually compare tea bagged Earl Grey (from Aldi) and the loose leaf I bought. Not going back to tea bags for sure after that.

>>8123435
Not a teacup, friend bought the A modo mio cappuccino art set which contains a few of those 125ml cups.

Right now I'm almost out of Sencha so I'm interested in trying either some milky Oolongs, Houjicha, or jasmine teas. I'll probably decide after I finish the leaves first.

>> No.8123684

>>8123651
Hojicha is pretty cheap so I'd get that with something else as well. I'm not a fan of jasmine teas but I find white jasmine tea really nice and delicate.

>> No.8123720

>>8123600
ok, so if your winevendor tells you about all the healthbenefits thats not a redflag?
If your oliveoilvendor is telling you about the healthbenefits and about the origin and how original and organic and nice everything is, you buy it?
i moonwalk out, because its suspicious af, and means you will overpay, also the healthbenefits are literally not proven nor can they be with todays standards.positive parts can be proven but the negatives probably outweigh

>> No.8123723

>>8122207
You sound like that same retard who posts on /lit/ claiming his understanding of Plato is far superior to everyone else's.

>> No.8123882

>>8123720
It's not a red flag or a reason to cause suspicion when someone lists scientifically proven or scientifically established theories and probabilities, like, for example, that antioxidants and vitamins (in tea, olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli or whatever) impact our health in certain ways. Again, you're still not backing up any of your statements. If you "feel" that people who claim their products have certain health properties and that they overcharge you because of it, then that's just your feeling, not a necessarily reality. You make a lot of statements but you're not bringing any real arguments or science to the table, only your baseless assumptions.

>> No.8124845

>arguing in a thread about tea

>> No.8124909

What sellers other than Upton should I have bookmarked?

>> No.8124931

>>8106986
enjoy you're cancer

>> No.8125020
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8125020

>>8124909

>> No.8125232

What do you lot think of crimsonlotustea.com?
I've never tried puerh and I'm curious, any recommendations, tip, ect?

>> No.8126052

>>8125232
never heard of them

>> No.8126071

>>8125232
check teadb
https://teadb.org/puerh-compendium/
https://teadb.org/puerh-vendor-guide/

>> No.8126119

>>8126071
Thanks mate.
>>8126052
I had them recommended to me on a different chan's tea board, haven't tried them yet.

>> No.8126188

I enjoy a cup of tea, but honestly, my tastes are fairly simple. Bigelow Constant Comment or Plantation Mint are good.

>> No.8126352

>>8126119
i'm probably gonna get this: http://white2tea.com/product/basics-puer-tea-sample-set/ when i do try out pu erh
seems like a decent deal plus their shit is A E S T H E T I C

>> No.8126487

>>8126352
This looks interesting. I'm a total novice when it comes to Pu erh, I mainly drink greens and Oolongs. Is white2tea a good vendor? Do you guys think this would be a good introduction to Pu erh?

>> No.8126917

>>8126487
W2t serms to be well regarded on the tea blogs/community, never ordered from them personally but 2dog's blog is pretty based, he knows his tea

>> No.8126992

So I bought a packet of Milk Oolong and I don't really like it. But since the flavour is so sweet and milky maybe I can use it as an ingredient in a kind of drink or whatever? Any ideas?

>> No.8127524

>>8126992
Try it as a mixer for alchohol or a lemonade perhaps

>> No.8127533
File: 832 KB, 2560x1440, BT1.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8127533

What i am for boys?

>> No.8127721

>>8127524
I've brewed it very strong and mixed it with sugar and honey. Tomorrow I'll mix half tea half milk and see if my cheap take on bubble tea will be drinkable.

>> No.8128462

Any of you have any tip on brewing tieguanyin on a gaiwain? It seems like i am doing something wrong, it always ends tasting quite weak.
I use water at 100 C and about 3-5g

>> No.8128472

Thinking about ordering: http://yunnansourcing.com/en/gaiwans/3729-classic-white-porcelain-small-gaiwan-60ml.html

I like the price, appearance, and material, but do you think it will be too small (brewing for just myself)?

How many grams of tea do you expect I would be using with 50 ml of water?

>> No.8128531

>>8128462
Try 90-95 C water and 5 g of tea.

>> No.8128957

>>8128472
it looks good enough, the same as the ones from aliexpress you still should use like 3g

>> No.8129157

>>8108590
I am almost sure at this point white2tea is a scam for dumb hipsters that fall for meme packaging.

>> No.8129679

>>8129157
take a while to realize eh?

>> No.8129696

What are some good sites for Gaiwans? I'm looking for a nice 100ml one. Preferably a store in Europe or low shipping costs.
No aliexpress or ebay.

>> No.8129720

I want to make a large amount of a refreshing tea (iced) that doesn't cost a ton and I don't want to put a lot, or any sugar in it. Probably a shitty way to describe what I'm looking for, but could anyone help? I could use the huge box of green tea leaf bags I got from the dollar store.

>> No.8129796

>>8129720
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00921MFKG/

>> No.8129807

>>8129796
>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00921MFKG/
Thank you. But with what, now?

>> No.8129839

>>8129807
Do you mean what teas? I got mine to burn through the frilly flavored teas that have been sitting in my cupboard untouched for a year and a half. I would probably start with the dollar store tea bags and if those don't satisfy, start from here: https://secure.uptontea.com/store/catalog.asp?begin=0&parent=Teas%3EGreen%3EChina&category=Green&sortMethod=0&categoryID=28

>> No.8129858

>>8129807
Not that guy, but I also own a Takeya flash chiller and it's pretty nice, but not necessary. There are two ways to make cold tea: (1) leave tea leaves in cold water for a few hours or overnight, and (2) steep tea leaves in hot water like you normally would and then pour it over ice to chill it instantly. The Takeya pitcher is handy because it can take boiling water with no issues, and of course comes with it's own infuser. If you just want to make overnight cold tea, any pitcher will do.

As for the tea itself I'd recommend genmaicha, Yuuki-cha sells 200 grams of it for about $10, but you could probably find it cheaper someplace else.

Cold brewing results in low to no bitterness, so the natural sweetness of the green tea will be noticeable and you probably won't feel the urge to add sugar.

Barley tea is also good (and really cheap), if you're fine with no caffeine.

https://www.amazon.com/Maeda-En-Barley-Reisuiyo-11-2-Ounce-pack/dp/B00553SOB4/ref=sr_1_19?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1474875708&sr=1-19&keywords=barley+tea

>> No.8129902

Anybody here tried sobacha (buckwheat tea)?

>> No.8129917

>>8120272
I'm drinking the same one but English Breakfast. It's fragrant and feels loaded with caffeine.

>> No.8130041

>>8129858
Never tried genmaicha or jap tea in general but can confirm green tea is one of the best for cold brewing, the fresh vegetal flavours works great cold and it wont get bitter

>> No.8130410

>>8112333
Pulled the trigger on this, the wait is killing me

>> No.8130542

Reminder that 'tea' that doesnt have the leaves of Camella Sinensis are not teas.

>> No.8130741

What are some good teas that are low on (or without) caffeine? I know of hojicha and kukicha, but I want some good green tea. Where it comes from doesn't matter, as long as it's tasty.

>> No.8130895

>>8130741
Green teas have generally a high caffeine content. Some people think it doesn't but that's just because it's also high in theanine which is a calming substance. Oolongs are generally lower in caffeine.

>> No.8130965

>>8130741
Bancha supposedly doesn't have much either and that can be pretty green.

>> No.8131021
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8131021

Do "sweet" flavored teas actually have sweetness taste in them? Because I drank pic related and vanilla Chai tea before and I could never taste the "sweet" part of either of them. I only receive the scent of it before I put it in the water and nuke it in the microwave for 2 minutes

>> No.8131260
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8131260

>>8131021
>bags
>pomegranate, raspberry and strawberry
> microwave

>> No.8132152

>>8131260
he wants to trigger you its obvious

>> No.8132825

dont die on me

>> No.8132873

Just ordered my first Gong Fu set. I'm excited to see how big the difference really is from Western brewing. How many of you guys brew Gong Fu and how many of you guys brew Western? Or maybe both depending on the occasion?

>> No.8132893

>>8132873
i always brew gonf fu style, western only if i am lazy or in a rush.
but i feel sacrilegious to brew something like puerh western style.

>> No.8132913

>>8099399
>genmaicha
Getting colder outside. Time to buy some and get comfy. That and lapsang souchong are my snow on the ground teas

>> No.8132922

I have a peppermint plant, do I dry the leaves first before steeping or is the drying only for long term storage purposes? Or should I steep them fresh?

>> No.8132924

>>8099399
>it tastes 100% different though
No it doesn't, unless the sencha you have been drinking is crap. Gyukuro has the same flavor themes as any sencha, just better.

>genmaicha and lapsang souchong
very comfy

>> No.8132931

>>8126992
Make it iced. They sell it as a tea type option at some boba tea shops. Boba is optional.

>> No.8132936

>>8132893
I can't see myself brewing my green tea gong fu style before heading off to work early in the morning tho

>> No.8132966

>>8132873
I have a gaiwan and some cups, but I end up brewing western a lot of the time. I don't have many teas that really need it.

I drink a lot of Japanese greens and I have a dedicated unglazed kyusu for those. So that's somewhere in between.

>> No.8132973

>>8132966
Planning to buy a kyusu for my Japanese greens as well. How do you brew them? Sencha for example.

>> No.8132974

>>8132922
drying is for long term storage. you can brew em fresh

>>8132913
I only brew standard Indian blacks and geaicha western. rest gongfu

>> No.8132992

>>8132973
I'm usually drinking it alone so I have a fairly small 280ml kyusu and ~120ml cups. I brew one cup at a time with probably around 4g of leaf, but it depends on the sencha. Around 70C seems to work best with my water. I do two steeps, drink those cups, then usually do two more. Sometimes a fifth if it's really good. Usually a 40-60 second steep for the first, short or almost instant for the second. Third and onward varies, but generally slightly hotter water and maybe a minute or slightly more. It's fun trying to figure out the variables sometimes.

>> No.8133021

>>8132992
How come the second time is just a couple of seconds of steeping? What's the science behind this? So far I brew my Sencha western style in a teapot and I do it the same way as with my Chinese greens, but with ~75 degrees water instead of 80. The pot is 500ml and I use two heaped (basically a mountain on the spoon) teaspoons of Sencha, I don't really know how many grams it is. My first steep will be two minutes and my second will be three. This works for me and both brews will taste good, but it's also fundamentally different to your brewing style, so what's up with that?

>> No.8133042

>>8133021
Not that guy but multiple vendor websites I've visited have recommended a near instant second steep, and it's the method I use too. My assumption is that the first infusion sort of wakes up the leaves, so by the second infusion they take no time at all to release their flavour.

>> No.8133080

>>8133042
Yeah, I've seen that as well. That's weird tho since my second steeping is three minutes and that comes out good.

>> No.8133091

>>8133021
Preference and the quality of the leaf, I guess. I know before I really got into importing some I had made sencha similar to how you describe. I always thought it only had that astringent grassy flavor to it. That certainly is a part of the flavor, but a lot of Japanese vendors recommend something like the method I use. It seems to be aimed more at bringing out the umami elements. Especially for the deeper steamed stuff.

>>8133042 is right about the second steep.

>> No.8133105

>>8133091
The thing is my brew doesn't turn out astringent. Well well, I will try your style when I get a kyusu and maybe that brew will be even more flavourful and delicious. You don't know the real flavour of your brew unless you've brewed it the correct way I guess.

>> No.8133117

>>8133105
I don't doubt that western style can work, probably depending on the specific sencha too. So it isn't really wrong as long as you like how it turns out. But yeah, try the shorter steeps sometime and see if it makes a difference.

>> No.8133123

I think a longer second steep may also lead to less subsequent infusions.

>> No.8133124

>>8120407
Try e-mailing the guys from Yunnan Sourcing. They'll give a recommendation and they're super pleasant.

>> No.8133127

I think the longer first brew serves the purpose of a rinse+first steep, because it is a tea that is steeped few times no point in rinsing and throwing it away when you can just add extra time to the first one to open up and rehidrate the leaf

>> No.8133133

>>8133127
You don't rinse green tea.

>> No.8133164

yunnansourcing have ripe puerh sale with RIPE12 coupon.
if anyone's hesitating on their newbie purchase

>> No.8133237

>>8133133
yes, but only because you dont get as many infusions so you should make the most of it, also most greens and whites are more tippy and take less time to rehidrate and open up.
Regardless it's useful for everyone to experiment with brewing parameters and not follow guides and manufacturer's tips like the law

>> No.8133242
File: 49 KB, 327x142, uwot.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8133242

>>8133164
>tfw ordered a few days ago

>> No.8133243

>>8133164
How much off?

>> No.8133255

>>8133243
12%

>> No.8134133

>>8133255
Jesus Christ they stock a lot of tea.

>> No.8134361
File: 1.26 MB, 3264x1836, 1474871933087.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8134361

Peeled the sticker off of my new kyusu and this happened. Is there any way I can remove those spots

>> No.8134366

>>8134361
looks like glue, just rub warm water

>> No.8134423

>>8134361
Yeah, sort of reminds me of my first girlfriend. Just give it a wipe down with warm water and a soft cloth.

>> No.8134443

>>8132873
I brew gongfu in my gaiwan for green teas and Chinese reds. If it's an Indian black tea, I brew western in the cup. I'd like a teapot, but I don't see the point unless I'm drinking with another person.

>> No.8134448

>>8134361
goo b gone

>> No.8134452

>>8099034
Relatively inexperienced with Chinese tea. I've found that pu urh is by far my favorite.

I would like recommendations. I'm looking for the dankest, most earthy, foresty, mushroom-like pu urh that you know of. What should I get for that?

>> No.8134469

>>8134452
Technically it's not a Pu-erh, but Lu Bao is a heavily fermented black tea that has that taste.

>> No.8134498

>>8134366
>>8134423
I don't think it's glue, there's no stickiness and it's smooth to the touch. Rubbing it with a paper towel and warm water didn't change anything. It's as if the finish was lifted off.

>>8134448
I have some of this, so I could try it.

>> No.8134532

>>8134452
try 'health tea house' from aliexpress, they have those dank, stored 10 years in god knows what conditions 100g cheap ripe cakes. fishy aroma guaranteed, so air it out a day or two.
but if you didn't yet tried raw puerh, I'd say you're missing out.

>> No.8134775

>>8134498
how much did you pay for it?

>> No.8134782

>>8099034
I hope this is still up when i get home so i can post my tea collection :^) though my pantry looks a mess

>> No.8134791

>>8134775
http://www.yuuki-cha.com/teaware/japanese-teapots/kinchaku-banko-yaki-teapot

>> No.8134831

I dont know a lot about kyusus but for 30 dollars I wouldnt expect perfection, if it bothers you that much contact them but its on the lid, it wont affect anything anyway

>> No.8135019

What are you lads drinking today? I just got some Lù'ān guāpiàn last weekend. It's got a good flavor, but I'd need another cup to comment on it fully.

>> No.8135052

>>8135019
Finished my only puer cake and Im waiting (im)patiently for my restock to come by drinking greens and whites cold brewed and grampa style

Also this blogpost has got me thinking, never realized how tea drunk I got until I was forced to be without puer for a while
http://www.marshaln.com/2011/02/its-not-about-the-flavours/

>> No.8135112

>>8135052
Interesting article, and that feeling certainly resonates with me; Lu'an guapian's flavor reminded me of other Chinese greens like longjing, but nevertheless had a uniqueness to it that must be attributed to this feeling. The mention of qi near it's conclusion reminded me a bit of the tea classic's metaphysical justification for tea appreciation.
I never got too into Pu-er, I mainly just stick with green teas. Though I did begin to read a fascinating book on the subject, and should really get around to finishing it. It's called "Ancient Caravans and Urban Chic" and is about the development of Pu-erh tea culture and the rise and fall of the Pu-er market in Yunnan. It was surprisingly enjoyable, as the author followed an extended metaphor likening individual purchasers within the poorly regulated Pu-er tea market with jianghu in wuxia. Definitely check it out.
I apologize if I sound like an autist; I'm in full essay mode right now.

>> No.8135170

>>8134791
just hit them up. I've never had trouble with them

>> No.8135171

rate my Upton order

ZK11T - 125g tin: China Keemun First Grade
x1 @ $10.80 ea.

ZO80T - 100g tin: Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong First Grade
x1 @ $10.80 ea.

TE21S - 15g sample: Monk's Blend (Earl Grey)
x1 @ $1.00 ea.

TE01S - 15g sample: Season's Pick Earl Grey Crème Vanilla
x1 @ $1.00 ea.

TE11S - 15g sample: Extra Bergamot English Earl Grey
x1 @ $1.00 ea.

ZG23S - 15g sample: Organic China Green Sencha
x1 @ $1.00 ea.

TJ10T - 125g tin: Japanese Sencha
x1 @ $10.60 ea.

>> No.8135182

>>8135052
>muh feels
>i could probably pick the faggot leaves from the faggot store i go to from others
double blind test or shut up

>> No.8135195

>>8135182
Who are you quoting?

>> No.8135202

>>8120407
>>8133124
I'm the anon you replied to. I think you should try the laoshan black if you want malty black tea with dark chocolate notes, as per that adagio tea description. If you want something more malty and less chocolatey then try their imperial gold needle. Best bang for the buck goes to the Jingmai mountain wild arbor. Excellently malty and cheap, my daily drinker. If I need a little more caffeine check out the Wu liang Hong Mao feng, also a great choice for a daily drinker. Also like this anon said, email Scott from YS. He's a cool dude and always down to help/recommend new things. I'm 100% a YS shill, I really enjoy their tea and they have excellent prices.

>> No.8135210

>>8135195
The article.

>> No.8135218
File: 79 KB, 800x800, hario_tea_pot_fukami_chn-45t.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
8135218

I have this teapot. Would adding more leaf, and steeping for less time, approximate the ancient chinese bullshit? Right now I generally do 5g per ~450ml for 3 minutes.

>> No.8135253

>>8135218
Id say so, the infuser basket seems big enough for the leaves to expand

>> No.8135294

>>8135218
>glass
lmao

>> No.8135442

>>8135294
Who are you quoting?

>> No.8135458

>>8135442
It was almost funny the first time, don't push your luck.

>> No.8135782

New to tea brewing.

What would be the best way to go about making a large amount of tea in bulk (upwards of a gallon or so) to then chill for 4 star+ restaurant quality iced tea?

>> No.8135803

>>8135782
Pick a variety that goes well iced - I would recommend gunpowder green or a tisane like spearmint - and look up the amount you need per a given volume. Scale up to the volume you will be using. Then cold-brew it by leaving the whole thing in a fridge for like six hours.

>> No.8135829

>>8135803
I didn't even know cold-brewing was a thing.

So I can just get any container of the size I want with an infuser and throw it in the fridge for [x] number of hours?

It's that simple?

>> No.8135875

>>8135829
Tis.

http://takeyausa.com/shop/flash-chill-2qt

>> No.8136200

>>8135171
2/5 too much Earl Grey

>> No.8136233

>>8135112
Thanks for the tip, will check out

>> No.8136712

Has anyone had the 2006 old bear fangcha from white2tea? I heard good things on teadb and it sounds like a raw puerh I'll actually enjoy

>> No.8136808

>>8136712
never had it but there are a few reviews on steepster
http://steepster.com/teas/white-2-tea/54918-2006-white-2-tea-old-bear-fangcha

>> No.8137086

bought some grocery store tea. having a cup right now.