OOTD- oolong of the day

**grasshopper** · 12-31-2009, 12:42 PM

Floating Leaves in Seattle
Arghblech, I for one am not sick of tea! I visited Shiuwen at Floating Leaves while I was in Seattle. We had a fine time drinking oolong. It is a family place: everyone brings the tykes! I am tyke-challenged, but I survived.

She'd asked me to bring her samples of aged pu'ers, and this I did. I asked to try the Fou Shou, having never had it. I was a little disappointed: it did not have a powerful flavor burst and it seemed short-lived. Shiuwen did not seem proud of that particular product. She did tell me that a new and much improved Fou Shou is on its way, and she seemed quite excited about it. This all occurred probably two weeks ago, so maybe she has it in stock by now. After the Fou Shou, we drank Traditional Dong Ding. Wow--it is some good stuff. Very strong, great flavor. Fruit, crisp and dry. "Crisp" and "dry" are, for me, the two most important attributes of excellent balled/fisted Taiwanese oolong.

I arrived right at opening time. Soon, folks were coming in and going out, some staying for just a minute, others sitting down to enjoy a cuppa.

The physical location of Floating Leaves has moved, although it's still in the same friendly Ballard neighborhood. It was a large establishment. The new location is scaled back--much smaller. This difficult economy has hurt many people, and I worry about fine folks like Shiuwen. I hope Floating Leaves survives forever.

I'll be in Seattle again in a week or so, and I'll stop by Floating Leaves then. I'll check to see if Shiuwen has tried the pu'er samples I left with her, and I'll ask is she has any new oolongs that particularly excite her. I know she is a fan of Bao Zhong, but I am more a fan of Wuyi and Dan Cong.

Best to all, and Happy New Year! ~Grasshopper

**thanks** · 01-01-2010, 04:56 AM

Speaking of Floating Leaves (and honestly on this thread, when are we not?

). This morning I had a lovely session with what's left of my pound of 08 Taiwan Wuyi. It's roast has mellowed slightly and melds almost perfectly with the tea base. Like most baozhongs I've had, after the first couple of infusions the roasted flavors all but wear off revealing the true tea's base. Luckily I quite enjoy this tea's base flavor, but I feel it would benefit quite a bit from another year or two of mellowing out. I've found it's rare for myself to truly enjoy some modern baozhongs that seem to focus on aroma more than anything as after the first few infusions the tea turns into an astringent, bitter light floral mess. This tea truly is the best value I've ever found in oolongs, still proving to be an excellent everyday tea.

**arghblech** · 01-01-2010, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by thanks

This morning I had a lovely session with what's left of my pound of 08 Taiwan Wuyi... Luckily I quite enjoy this tea's base flavor, but I feel it would benefit quite a bit from another year or two of mellowing out.

Geez man! You'll never know whether it would be better in a year or two because you drank it all!!

Did you really almost finish that pound? You haven't had it that long have you?

**silvertip beard** · 01-01-2010, 10:39 AM

It was the overwhelming praise of Thanks that led me to get the 2008 Taiwan Wuyi in the first place. So, thanks, Thanks!

2008 Taiwan Wuyi is a great value at $3/oz.! I think Shiuwen still has some more of the 2008 Wuyi at half price!

I agree on its aging potential, so I bought a few pounds of it for myself for Xmas. If worse comes to worse, I'll send you some in a couple of years, thanks.

**strat1117** · 01-01-2010, 03:51 PM

Monkey Picked, 3rd infusion:

**grasshopper** · 01-02-2010, 07:01 PM

Winter '08 Special Acquisition Li Shan from Shan Shui, purchased Feb. '09

Citrus and cinnamon in flavor and aroma. Long finish. Really delcious beverage.

**thanks** · 01-03-2010, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by arghblech

Geez man! You'll never know whether it would be better in a year or two because you drank it all!!

Did you really almost finish that pound? You haven't had it that long have you?

Well, I've got about 200g +/- left, so I'm done using it as my "pretty much almost everyday tea". I've had it... long enough?

Originally Posted by silvertip beard

It was the overwhelming praise of Thanks that led me to get the 2008 Taiwan Wuyi in the first place. So, thanks, Thanks!

2008 Taiwan Wuyi is a great value at $3/oz.! I think Shiuwen still has some more of the 2008 Wuyi at half price!

I agree on its aging potential, so I bought a few pounds of it for myself for Xmas. If worse comes to worse, I'll send you some in a couple of years, thanks.

'Tis really no problem, sir! I paid $1.20 more than that price per oz., but even at three times the price it would be worth it IMHO. If I run out in a couple of years (which is definitely likely, hahaha), I could send you some of my sun yi shun liu an which will be about 8 years old in that time for a fair trade.

**netsurfr** · 01-03-2010, 11:24 AM

Taking a break and sampling some "Select Premium Bao Zhang" from a Taiwanese vendor. This is a floral variety and the leaves from it are absolutely perfect. It is obvious that they are hand picked and processed. The oxidation on this tea is a bit light for me (I know that this variety is supposed to be that way) but the floral notes are amazing.

Have about 600 lbs of tea and teawares to inventory and get logged onto the site.
I teaware additions will add a nice variety.

**P_K** · 01-03-2010, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by netsurfr

Have about 600 lbs of tea and teawares to inventory and get logged onto the site.
I teaware additions will add a nice variety.

To think that you used to have a tea shop in your house.....and now you live in a tea shop!

**netsurfr** · 01-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by P_K

To think that you used to have a tea shop in your house.....and now you live in a tea shop!

You are not far off! Fully 1/3 of my townhouse is occupied by tea and teawares now.

Although, while my living room was occupied by an additional 5 boxes of teas for the last few days, my wife was beginning to fear the takeover of the main floor with tea and teawares. Fortunately, she is very understanding!!!

**P_K** · 01-04-2010, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by netsurfr

You are not far off! Fully 1/3 of my townhouse is occupied by tea and teawares now.

Although, while my living room was occupied by an additional 5 boxes of teas for the last few days, my wife was beginning to fear the takeover of the main floor with tea and teawares. Fortunately, she is very understanding!!!

Wow! I sure hope your wife has a growing appreciation for tea....because eventually, she might be sleeping on it!

Today's oolong - Zen8tea Dayuling handpicked-

This is a very nice oolong. Eggy....cassia-y and floral. Very unique and a nice change of pace in a world where many greener oolongs taste quite similar.

**arghblech** · 01-04-2010, 04:37 PM

I ruined some perfectly good Everyday Dan Cong from Jing Tea Shop today for my second session.

**silvertip beard** · 01-04-2010, 04:58 PM

Taiwan Wuyi today.

**arghblech** · 01-05-2010, 08:32 AM

Drinking some of that ol' Hairy Crab from Dragon Tea House. Nice florals with a bit of petulance underneath. I'm only 2 infusions in and I can sense that this tea will become bitter if I don't pay attention. Delicious though.

Later today I'll try the Wuyi Qi Lan that came in the same box.

**arghblech** · 01-06-2010, 05:24 PM

2008 Lishan from Floating Leaves.

**silvertip beard** · 01-06-2010, 05:56 PM

Yiwu before Wuyi. Good tea day.

**netsurfr** · 01-07-2010, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by arghblech

2008 Lishan from Floating Leaves.

I think I have a Lishan sample from a Taiwanese vendor. Need to give that a whirl. I've read good things about it.

**arghblech** · 01-08-2010, 10:09 PM

Today was a comparison of Wuyis.

The Qi Lan Wuyi I snagged recently from Dragon and the 09 Taiwan Wuyi from Floating Leaves.

Much nicer fragrance to the Qi Lan but the sweetness never materialized. It is very sensitive to steep time which left me with some astringent and sour brews. The Taiwan Wuyi delivers the sweetness and is more delicate but I also have many many more sessions with this one under my belt. The Taiwan Wuyi is not as heavily roasted.

**Proinsias** · 01-12-2010, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by arghblech

I ruined some perfectly good Everyday Dan Cong from Jing Tea Shop today for my second session.

That's a tea I like to have around. Cheap, tasty and great for converting people to the wonders of good tea - most people don't believe it's not flavoured.

I just got a box of aged oolong from J-Tea. Drinking some 1979 aged beauty at the moment and it's lovely. Very reminiscent of aged pu and all round lovely so far, seems frighteningly cheap for 70's tea. It's got quite a qi kick to it too. Can't wait to get into the rest of the aged oolongs.