What types of tea would you like to see? More of the 'usual' (Matcha, Sencha/kabuse, Gyokuro), or more unique, interesting teas?
Anything you would like to learn that we can do our best to figure out while we are there?
Headed to Japan in a few months to source tea....
more unique teas would interest me. but of course they have to taste good as well 
regional teas, interesting cultivars, unusual processing, etc.
good luck and enjoy your trip!
regional teas, interesting cultivars, unusual processing, etc.
good luck and enjoy your trip!
Exactly why I do (so far) dislike Japanese Oolongs or Black teas - not enough punch for the money! Teas in the same category from China or Taiwan just have so much more depth and subtleties (if roughly in the same price category). They are better than some default Assam from other places, but not as much it would justify the much higher price.
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swordofmytriumph
- Posts: 429
- Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 5:19 am
- Location: Seattle, USA
I’d love to see some different, weird and wonderful stuff! I’m all about trying unique things. FYI I love that you do have some interesting unique stuff on your website, been planning an order once I make some room to put it on my tea shelf! 
I get you Bok, I get you; but remember that you're an experienced tea drinker, especially of oolongs (which are very accessible to you in Taiwan), and us younger tea padawansBok wrote: ↑Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:13 amExactly why I do (so far) dislike Japanese Oolongs or Black teas - not enough punch for the money! Teas in the same category from China or Taiwan just have so much more depth and subtleties (if roughly in the same price category). They are better than some default Assam from other places, but not as much it would justify the much higher price.
still enjoy the unique and weird stuff sometimes.-
swordofmytriumph
- Posts: 429
- Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 5:19 am
- Location: Seattle, USA
Much to learn we still have.
I would love to discover the rather recent Sun Rouge sencha cultivar through a selection of, let’s say, 3 to 5 different process treatment (futsumushi, fukamushi) or various place of origin (Uji, Saitama, Kagoshima,...) or anything relevant to show the possibilities of this cultivar.
I know it is more of a geeky concern, but... here am I...
I know it is more of a geeky concern, but... here am I...
Thanks for all the feedback! We will definitely make sure to ask the farmers we are meeting with about their more unique offerings as well as oolong/black offerings. Will also ask about the Sun Rouge Sencha cultivar and see if we can source anything interesting in this range.
This all helps as we set up meetings for while we're there (happening now) as well as for the impromptu meetings that naturally occur once you're in the proper locations.
This all helps as we set up meetings for while we're there (happening now) as well as for the impromptu meetings that naturally occur once you're in the proper locations.
Ideally I'd love a nice mix of good quality for the price in the basics and some rare offerings besides that (new/heirloom varietals, unusual processing, maybe a nice oolong or heicha to compare against Taiwanese/Chinese offerings). If you end up around Shizuoka prefecture you could try to meet with Mr Toshifumi Shibamoto, he's a third generation farmer that likes to experiment with processing. Seems to be pretty well known in the Polish tea circles at least, haven't found any info on him outside that.