I hate to say it but depending where people are, flying to LA might actually be more cost effective as you point out
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I hate to say it but depending where people are, flying to LA might actually be more cost effective as you point out
Interesting. I just ordered a few samples there, also from their Yancha (i won't hold my hopes high though...), and what i found very interesting the traditional rolled Wulong and Tikuanyin - maybe they come close to what these teas once tasted.
brutusK wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 12:33 pmThe vendor recommendations here are on point. I will say though that even within a given vendor, dancong can be hit or miss, even at similar price brackets: having tried a few of the teas at teahabitat I would gladly pay for some sold at 2.5$/gram, but others sold at $2.3/gram are a hard pass for me. And when there's no individual sample sizes, it gets hard to try a lot of these sold only in 1-2 ounce packages![]()
Recommendations of vendors are good, but I'd also ask for recommendations of specific dancong oolongs within a vendor too if you aren't interested in dropping hundreds of dollars in sampling an ounce each of a few teas only to find out you disliked half of them.
Only the low to medium grade is finicky, good quality Dancong is forgiving to brew.LuckyMe wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 4:36 pmPart of what makes Dan Cong challenging, at least in my experience, is that its a very finicky tea to brew. It doesn't really do well western steeped or grandpa style. Gotta gongfu and lock in the right steeping parameters.
I've had some exquisite dan congs from Verdant Tea but I usually just buy samples because the top-shelf stuff ain't cheap.
Hmm.. when distilled water is recommended by TeaHabitat for Tong Tian Xiang - Through the Heaven Fragrance and Dao Hua Xiang - Rice Flower Fragrance I’d say that’s pretty finicky. I’m curious @Bok which DanCong you are especially enjoying? Curious, because we both like roasted DongDing/High Mountain oolong and all the DanCong I’ve had so far has been on the light side. Maybe I’ll explore some darker ones.Bok wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 7:49 pmOnly the low to medium grade is finicky, good quality Dancong is forgiving to brew.LuckyMe wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 4:36 pmPart of what makes Dan Cong challenging, at least in my experience, is that its a very finicky tea to brew. It doesn't really do well western steeped or grandpa style. Gotta gongfu and lock in the right steeping parameters.
I've had some exquisite dan congs from Verdant Tea but I usually just buy samples because the top-shelf stuff ain't cheap.
Thanks for your choices in return.Victoria wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 10:55 pmInteresting top choices Bok, I will revisit those, thanks. I've tried your top three from someone coming through LA with family in Fenghuang shan. Unfortunately, they were not top grade, so I'll see if I can try them at a TeaHabitat tasting soon. Regarding what you say are lower-medium quality DanCong -if the price is any indication; the Dao Hua Xiang I have was one of Imen's most expensive DanCong 78$ for 1 oz., and the Huang Zhi Xiang Shi Gu Ping is as expensive as your first two top picks. The Phoenix Shit though is 110$ per ounce.
Bok wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2019 11:12 pmAlso I would like to mention that I really do think Chaozhou clay enhances those teas quite a bit! Except the greener versions. Tried it with modern and vintage CZ clay, both feel more balanced and rounded, yet without taking away anything I'd like to keep.
The greener ones actually did well in Hokujo... and Duanni, but that might be a highly personal preference of mine.
Hi. I am kind of new here. Been silently looking at this forum for quite some time. Never posted. I might be interested in getting into a group buy on Dancong too!theredbaron wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:48 pmThanks a lot. That seems to be the consensus.Brent D wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 3:58 pmI have spent a good amount of time trying to source quality DC. Nothing I have been able to get ever holds a candle to tea habitat. I am currently working my way through about a dozen different samples from hojo, but im afraid Imen has ruined me.
Do be careful when looking for "budget" Dancong. Doping is rampant with scents and chemical flavoring.
There is a group buy that I am working on getting into. Hopes are high![]()
I may be interested in that group buy, would that be from a good source?
I think it depends. Vintage or old pots in general see hit and miss, but I agree the majority of Vintage CZ is often on the lower end of the spectrum. Antique ones on the other hand can be exquisite. Same goes for Yixing, old does not necessarily equal better, there is a greater chance, but no guarantee.theredbaron wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 5:24 ami find that Chazhou definately enhances Daocong quite noticeably. However, i do think that as compared to Yixing, where older pots are better, vintage Chazhou pots are not a huge advantage, as long as the clay of the new pots is pure.
Thank you Víctoria. I appreciate the word of caution, it is a good reminder. I have had bad experiences in the past and sometimes it’s easy to forget and get carried away. I do so enjoy Dancong especially Mi Lan XiangVictoria wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 6:52 amWelcome to TeaForum Lasa. A word of caution regarding DanCong, I recommend you begin your journey with a reputable known source. Because real DanCong is from a single tree or bush and is sought after, there are many speculative vendors lurking around. I suggest you start at the top with this tea. My 2 cents.