2024 Zi Ya - ya bao
What White Are You Drinking
The worst teas I've ever had were all old white teas -- there's so much left to chance, which leaves many opportunities for things to go wrong.Baiyun wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 7:23 pmSome tea given to me by a non-tea drinker it was gifted to, a medium aged lower grade white affair.
After very slowly chipping away at the cake over time, I finally decided to throw it out because it feels off in the stomach.
I never enjoy throwing tea away, but I have come to suspect that the wrapper some tea comes in cost more than what is inside.
Perceived quality seems inversely correlated to the size of gold lettering.
Not much to contribute to this topic, as I haven't had any fresh white teas this year. Silk Road Teas has a good old white tea- a baimudan instead of a shoumei, but in great shape for its age! I'm not sure if this is due to the foresight of David Lee Hoffman or the stewardship of the Heagertys.
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White tea's uniqueness comes from how & when it is picked & its lack of oxidation. Perhaps it is not meant to be aged. I managed to find white tea from Nepal that stores well in thin foil packs. (I have kept some unopened for up to 2 full years that did not lose flavor.) That seems like a miracle.
So, I am grateful. However, I used to be always looking for more. (Very common behavior.) Leads to so many things, like Earl Grey Green Tea etc. Combine things purported to be good to have a new thing that is better. Next new thing, puerh cakes in 4 sections, White, Black, Yellow, & Green Pu....
I value white tea for how it feels in my mouth. My oldest brother used to look for tea w/ the most delicate taste. I said any tea might taste delicate if watered down. Having flavor but feeling light is what I look for in a white tea. I don't think of aged teas as feeling light. (I've had some that are smooth but the feel in the mouth might be heavier than "light-bodied".)
Of course, somehow somewhere we encounter the "exceptions that prove the rule" & an aged, light-bodied, flavorful white tea was drunk by someone. (Of course who knows whether it was really white! )
So, I am grateful. However, I used to be always looking for more. (Very common behavior.) Leads to so many things, like Earl Grey Green Tea etc. Combine things purported to be good to have a new thing that is better. Next new thing, puerh cakes in 4 sections, White, Black, Yellow, & Green Pu....
I value white tea for how it feels in my mouth. My oldest brother used to look for tea w/ the most delicate taste. I said any tea might taste delicate if watered down. Having flavor but feeling light is what I look for in a white tea. I don't think of aged teas as feeling light. (I've had some that are smooth but the feel in the mouth might be heavier than "light-bodied".)
Of course, somehow somewhere we encounter the "exceptions that prove the rule" & an aged, light-bodied, flavorful white tea was drunk by someone. (Of course who knows whether it was really white! )
Rohini Jethikupi Witte Darjeeling, First Pick 2024
https://www.hotsoup.nl/nl/rohini-jethik ... innen.html
https://www.hotsoup.nl/nl/rohini-jethik ... innen.html
Rohini Jethi Kupi Early First Flush White Darjeeling 2023 - https://www.hotsoup.nl/nl/herkomst/rohi ... -2023.html
Of course 2024 is better.
Of course 2024 is better.