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mbanu wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:59 am

.... If someone asked for a list of the best trout to try before they die, and someone said, "A big one with a weird scar that I caught in 1985, absolutely delicious", even if they'd dried part of it, the way that fish tasted in 1985 can't really be replicated. They could point you to where they caught it back then, but that won't necessarily mean you will get the same experience they did.

Related to this, the setting of a tea often has something to do with the enjoyment, because tea is a kind of collaboration. If you change the setting, the tea will also change....

mbanu wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:59 am

I think a ranked list might be based on a misunderstanding about tea. Even though a tea has the same name, it is a different tea every year, and doesn't stay the same after it is made. It's sort of like fish in that way. If someone asked for a list of the best trout to try before they die, and someone said, "A big one with a weird scar that I caught in 1985, absolutely delicious", even if they'd dried part of it, the way that fish tasted in 1985 can't really be replicated. They could point you to where they caught it back then, but that won't necessarily mean you will get the same experience they did.

Related to this, the setting of a tea often has something to do with the enjoyment, because tea is a kind of collaboration. If you change the setting, the tea will also change. A common way people discover this is when they have a tea that they enjoy drinking alone, and find it does not seem to work well at a party, or vice-versa. Maybe it is harder to get the brewing correct, or it does not lend itself to waiting for breaks in a conversation to drink.

So when trying to understand a tea and its drinkers, it is important to try to understand the whole picture together.

tolean wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:54 am

https://m.teavivre.com/product/view/fud ... -cake.html
Fuding White Tea Cake 100g

One of the best pressed white tea cakes i found. I had some more expensive, eco, bio etc... This one is the best price/quality i've found until now. Bought like 5 cakes to have it when it was on sale

Victoria wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 12:46 pm

While I agree that tea varies season to season, year to year, a very good purveyor can manage to source the best of the season, while maintaining a very high standard, or choose not to source that season at all. I’m especially a fan of First Flush White Darjeeling sourced by Thunderbolt Teas out of Darjeeling. Sort of expensive (but not when compared to say Wuxi Yancha) but well worth the price. My current favorite whites for the last few years have been, in order of preference;

Castleton Moonlight Imperial
Margaret’s Hope Moonlight Tea

I’ve also had at our tastings here various compressed aged white teas that were very good but can’t remember their sources.

P.S. I see you have created similar ‘best’ topics for other teas. I recommend you spend some time reading through -What X Are You Drinking- and -Vendor Discussion & Recommendation- under the Tea forum.

teatray wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:39 pm

While there's some wisdom in the critical replies above, I can't see what's wrong with sharing one's favs with proper context & perspective, understanding that there may be availability issues, seasonal variation, etc. The categories (esp. white/green) might be a bit broad, but heck, the Chinese have a traditional list of Ten Famous Teas among all tea (albeit limited to their country, but that's a small constraint in this context; also there's variation on what's included, so Wikipedia lists all 12 that are frequently mentioned).

But then again, proper context & perspective is hard to get. I suppose the majority of consumers just don't sample widely enough to have a true understanding even of their favorite regions. The favorite teas might depend too much on what vendors one knows (and doesn't) and how consistently they perform with this type of tea. People in the tea business on the other hand have inherently biased perspectives, even if they are honestly contributing. Much of the tea supply is shrouded in mystery... difficult teas to get, only if you have connections, very limited availability, keep it a secret, watch out for fakes, etc. etc. I'd much prefer transparency over mystery, but it is how it is. Whoever profits from it, it's not the farmers (if they're honest) nor the consumers. And it seems to make sharing lists more difficult... too bad.

Bok wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:35 am

This is not to be derogatory or negative, what I mean is it’s best to avoid this kind of search as it’s mostly fomo and creates desires that can only end up in frustrations for you.

Be curious, sample widely and good teas will come to you.