Thursday, April 26, 2007

Aged Dan Cong tasting


Since is the season of Dan Cong harvesting. I am conducting a tasting in 3 stages of aged Dan Cong. One, Two and Three years old differences. All are from the same farmer and same valley in Feng Huang Shan, around 1500m.
It will probably take 2 days for the tasting...


Using my own 300ml Dan Cong pot. Cool infusion method.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Monday, April 23, 2007

Some Ideas to share, before drinking puerh


I got a lot of these semi-glazed earthenware from a trip to Kwangju, Korea last year. After observing traditional way of making KimChi, which they aged kimchi in earthenware around 6 ft deep and 3 feet wide, half buried in the ground. Some of it are aged for 5 years before transfering into smaller jars. I immediately think of puerh storage, when I saw those giant tanks and the kimchi process.

Nowadays, i will take the tea out from storage, and put it into 8g jars at least 2-3 days before consumption. This way, the tea can have a chance to breath and get ready. Cigar connoisseurs will perform the same steps (or not more complicated) to their habañas also.


After the deadly rainstorm a week ago. My garden finally started to blossom. I have been waiting for this perfectly-framed apple blossoms thru the red tea room for the whole year.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

My New favorite pot...


Since Juliet: http://themandarinstea.blogspot.com/2006/06/befitting-of-shakespearian-drama.html is still in Yixing teapot hospital, for a golden make-over. I've been looking for a medium size pot for younger green puerh.
And here is my new love! A 160ml, medium fired, heavy walled pot. I am absolutely fascinated with her performance, wondering how her color will change, with my continue seasoning and the miracle of patina.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Mystery Oolong....



A Divine Taiwanese Traditional High Fired Oolong. Michael (Tea Galley) and I were speechless to each others from the experience. Our heads nodded, satisfaction is on our faces. He generously vacuumed 7g from his less-than-25g-collection, announcing this will be a fine enjoyment at home, alone!

Aged High Fire oolong is my first love. Aged high graded Taiwanese Oolong is "By faith, not by quest." This traditional highly crafted workmanship in Taiwan is fading year by year. http://chadao.blogspot.com/2006/04/yixing-pot-old-and-new.html

Although there is still a large number of older generation in Hong Kong and SE Asia which still praise for this gem. Sadly, the newer tea communities can hardly get their hands on this highly crafted, time consuming products. If we thought puerh is difficult, High fired aged oolong will be overwhelming....
The 4 main keys to the process are:
1. Picking - the right tea, the right place and the right timing.
2. First processing - After processing the tea. The first firing to prepare for the first 6 months aging.
3. Fine roasting - A refining steps of roasting to bring out the best of the tea for storage in Mid-Autumn.
4. Storage - A complete moisture sealing and aging.

To obtain the best effect, the master roaster will refine firing the tea for over 48 hrs or more, in small steps. Not to over roast, but to bring out the tea like an opera. With height and drama, the tea will give you an emotional ride. And this is exactly what this Mystery tea had given me.

A high elevation, high quality Lishan ( I am guessing ) from older bushes. The tea should be at least 2 years aged or older. Strong, large pallets with oily sheen covering each of them.
Heated pot aroma of grain, seaweed and clean refreshing high mountain air. With floral of orchid rushing from the back.

Rinse and sit for 30 sec. Rolling water. Set aside for 4th brew after cleanser: The smell of ocean and dried moss, followed by sweet fruits and blossom.
1st brew. 15 sec. Gentle rim pouring: Seaweed, honey and roasted sun dried plums. Chinese medicine at the back. Clean and refreshing.
My wife wrote a Chinese calligraphy for it: "Body in Forest, Mind in Ocean."
2nd. 30 sec. I like this stronger: Floral, orchid, dried moss, fresh peaches. Strong on the front and sweet at the back. Long lasting aroma filling my breath, mixing with the first brew.
3rd. 45 sec. Powerful. Chinese medicine with deep floral overall, roasted grain. I am blushing with sweat on my back.
4th. 45 sec. Boiling water. Soft rim. Bitterness turns into wave of sweetness. Ripe honeydew melon, floral. deep mountain creek. Sunshine on moist moss. Summer Afternoon high mountain clear creek cool water. Refreshing. Another calligraphy from her: "Raining day, praising a cup of tea. Cloudy afternoon, flowers blossoming in my garden."

I am very impressed. Both from her reaction and the tea. We looked at each other and nodded in tranquility for a moment.
The rinse now. Green melon and spring blossom, light and refreshing. We ended the afternoon quite drunk from the experience.
Aroma lasted for a long couple of hours, leaving us with a very deep impression of what a great tea can do to your mind and body. And the timeless tradition of all the right combination to make a tea for the Mandarins.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

80s Mystery Tea...


After 4 months of waiting, we finally added a new addition to our "Tea Room"- A Yellow Rosewood Console.
To celebrate the "opening". I dig up an 80's "Qing Stamp" bing purchased some years ago.

Unfortunately, the result is not as exciting as the new arrangement.....


2nd day on it. Although this bing is loaded with 1st grade spring leaves, it is leaking in character and complexity.
 
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