Tracking down teas from Chen Huan Tang (a.k.a. Laoshi)

[GaoShan]

Among my tea-related regrets is not buying some of the Dong Ding from Chen Huan Tang when it was available from Tillerman. Does anyone know if I can find it elsewhere? Shui Tang in Switzerland has a blog post about CHT's Dong Ding, with links to a Dong Ding Da Pang. However, it's been several years and I'm not sure if it's the same tea.

Blog post:
www.shuitang.ch/blogs/news/170610951-re ... -ding-berg
Link to tea:
https://www.shuitang.ch/products/dong-ding-qingxin-damo

Are there other sources? I'm also interested in buying small samples from people if they're willing to sell.

The reason I'm asking about this now is that I may have the opportunity to buy this tea for my business, but only in larger amounts. It seems foolish to do this if I don't even know if I'd like the tea!

Also, please feel free to post this request elsewhere if it doesn't fit in this subforum.

[botlofchaz]

Its been a while since I've thought about these teas. Have fond memories of drinking Laoshi's teas when I was first starting drinking tea more seriously. Unfortunately don't have any left to share or send your way. I remember the dong ding being quite good, and certainly at a good price point for what tillerman was selling it for. I liked the Qilai even more...would love to have that tea again.

Hope you are able to track some down. And would be interested to order some if you do ever source it.

[GaoShan]

Its been a while since I've thought about these teas. Have fond memories of drinking Laoshi's teas when I was first starting drinking tea more seriously. Unfortunately don't have any left to share or send your way. I remember the dong ding being quite good, and certainly at a good price point for what tillerman was selling it for. I liked the Qilai even more...would love to have that tea again.

Hope you are able to track some down. And would be interested to order some if you do ever source it.

I think Tillerman was able to get good prices because Chen Huan Tang was his teacher in Taiwan. The few vendors that may be selling his tea (under the name Atong) have prices hovering around $1/g. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, none of these vendors has a CHT Dong Ding or Chilai Shan except maybe the one I mentioned above, whose tea is also around 1 Euro/gram.

Basically, I might be able to get these teas, but at higher prices.

[Bok]

Don't think there is any other way than to see the man himself.

He is very old school, not sure you get any retail price at all, if he has never seen you or talked to you... if he sells at all. Just the way tea business works in Taiwan. Does not help that as far as I know he does not really speak English and all his "assistants" are basically also older uncles hanging around in his shop

[GaoShan]

Don't think there is any other way than to see the man himself.

He is very old school, not sure you get any retail price at all, if he has never seen you or talked to you... if he sells at all. Just the way tea business works in Taiwan. Does not help that as far as I know he does not really speak English and all his "assistants" are basically also older uncles hanging around in his shop

That's discouraging news. I'm sure going to his shop would be an interesting experience if you speak Chinese (which I don't). I'll try contacting him and will see how it goes. I'm not hoping to get a wholesale discount and assume I'd pay the same price as other retail customers. As I mentioned earlier, I expect this tea will be expensive.

Do you know if I can find Chen Huan Tang's Dong Ding anywhere else so I can try it first?

[Victoria]

@GaoShan I will reach out to tea friends who visit Taipei and or have ordered from Chen Huan Tang directly and get back to you. Also, I can share my last (via Tillerman) order his Meishan High Mountain Oolong and Qilai High Mountain as well. You’ll enjoy both. In the past I’ve gotten Chen’s roasted and wiry DongDing and an unusual LiShan both at +- 35-45% roast levels that he is typically know for.

[GaoShan]

GaoShan I will reach out to tea friends who visit Taipei and or have ordered from Chen Huan Tang directly and get back to you. Also, I can share my last (via Tillerman) order his Meishan High Mountain Oolong and Qilai High Mountain as well. You’ll enjoy both. In the past I’ve gotten Chen’s roasted and wiry DongDing and an unusual LiShan both at +- 35-45% roast levels that he is typically know for.

Thank you! I'd be happy to sample those teas. I've sent you a private message with more details.

[Benjamin]

Don't think there is any other way than to see the man himself.

He is very old school, not sure you get any retail price at all, if he has never seen you or talked to you... if he sells at all. Just the way tea business works in Taiwan. Does not help that as far as I know he does not really speak English and all his "assistants" are basically also older uncles hanging around in his shop

This was my experience with him as well. I've had a few oolongs from him that really surprised me how good they were though, so I should probably see what he's been up to lately - it's been a few years.

[Bok]

Don't think there is any other way than to see the man himself.

He is very old school, not sure you get any retail price at all, if he has never seen you or talked to you... if he sells at all. Just the way tea business works in Taiwan. Does not help that as far as I know he does not really speak English and all his "assistants" are basically also older uncles hanging around in his shop

This was my experience with him as well. I've had a few oolongs from him that really surprised me how good they were though, so I should probably see what he's been up to lately - it's been a few years.

Worth to mention though that his prices are well above comparable quality teas, fame premium to pay