Friday, February 21, 2014
New Yixing tea pots 2014 Spring
This is my most favorite one out of this entire batch of new tea pots...
http://www.teahabitat.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5&products_id=423
Friday, December 27, 2013
Trip to China
3 more days to place your order before leaving
I will be going to China on 01/12/14. Yes, I have been waiting for this trip for a long while. Landing city is Guangzhou as usual where the biggest tea market world is located. I will try to visit a new tea mountain which I have not pick out a place yet. In the 4 weeks long period, I will find that a mountain with tea with great food! Here is the shipping schedule for the time being: last day to ship orders is 01/11/14, orders received between 01/12/14 and 02/08/14 will be shipped on 02/09/14. Hurry in to get your teas!
We will keep rolling out a new Tea Of The Day everyday during the trip, they will be shipped after I return to the states.
Tea ware sale
Tea Habitat is having a tea ware sale as the new year special. Take 20% off all tea wares! Sale last til 01/11/12. Don't miss the chance to get those special items you have been eying! Yes, even the stoves are on sale.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Back to normal
Monday, November 11, 2013
Plumeria Fragrance dan cong oolong
I have been drinking only one tea in the last few days,
2012 Zhong Ping Ji Dan Hua - Plumeria Fragrance
The fragrance is more lovely than I remembered. A tea without bitterness and astringency is always my preference. My bottom line of a good tea is sweet and rich texture. Aroma in my opinion is gift from heaven, even though most teas do come with some kind of aroma. Beautiful and long lasting fragrance is definitely the cream of the crop.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Tea of the day
Friday, October 25, 2013
Snap shot
I was drinking a cup of 2011 You Hua Xiang - Pomolo Flower Fragrance this afternoon. I just felt like taking a picture of the moment in the sun, a lazy afternoon and a cup in hand, life is peaceful, a slight bliss like a sunbeam shining through my heart. Being alive and healthy is what should I say, a good thing to have...... it can be simple as is.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
2013 He He Chang Hou Run Shu Pu Erh Brick - pre order
Meng Hai He He Chang Tea Factory made Hou Run Shu Cha
Shu pu is quite a controversial topic in the world of pu erh. I personally think like any category of tea, there are great, good and there are sub quality products. This is one of the most balanced cooked/shu pu of the year of 2013, according to a few well known tea collectors. Highest praise for a shu pu I have heard in a long time. Soft, buttery, rich and vibrant, a trace of sweet lotus flower aroma, similar to Jin Zhen Bai Lian, and it can last many many brews. Hou Run means thick and nourishing, best described the tea. My friend called it meaty. On top of the quality, price is right!
250g per brick $40 each
4 bricks in each box 1kg: $140
6 boxes in each case 6kg: $775
We locked down only 4 cases at this price, will be expired by end of Nov, get it while you can. Price may go up double next year.
Free economy shipping to anywhere in the world from China for case orders, ships right away.
For under a case orders, we will arrange for shipments after I come back from China in Feb, shipping charge may apply at our normal fixed shipping rates.
Shu pu is quite a controversial topic in the world of pu erh. I personally think like any category of tea, there are great, good and there are sub quality products. This is one of the most balanced cooked/shu pu of the year of 2013, according to a few well known tea collectors. Highest praise for a shu pu I have heard in a long time. Soft, buttery, rich and vibrant, a trace of sweet lotus flower aroma, similar to Jin Zhen Bai Lian, and it can last many many brews. Hou Run means thick and nourishing, best described the tea. My friend called it meaty. On top of the quality, price is right!
250g per brick $40 each
4 bricks in each box 1kg: $140
6 boxes in each case 6kg: $775
We locked down only 4 cases at this price, will be expired by end of Nov, get it while you can. Price may go up double next year.
Free economy shipping to anywhere in the world from China for case orders, ships right away.
For under a case orders, we will arrange for shipments after I come back from China in Feb, shipping charge may apply at our normal fixed shipping rates.
, 
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Life is too short!
Heart breaking news! Sickness took the life of a young 17 years old girl had yet to bloom into her adulthood just yesterday. It was shocking news to me and many of us who had just begun the fund raising not long ago, wishing every bid we do can make her life a little better. But what a harsh reality it is to her parents whom were living in fear of loosing her, and now must face days ahead without her. Morning~ I say nothing more....
Thank you all for making your purchase in the last few weeks, the fund raising portion will still be sent to the parents to pay for the hospital bills. In our tea circle, so far we have raised over 100k rmb, I don't know the exact total number thought. Thank you for your kind hearts and good deeds! May all of us be healthy and peace in heart~~~
Thank you all for making your purchase in the last few weeks, the fund raising portion will still be sent to the parents to pay for the hospital bills. In our tea circle, so far we have raised over 100k rmb, I don't know the exact total number thought. Thank you for your kind hearts and good deeds! May all of us be healthy and peace in heart~~~
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Water and tea from different years
I have to write this down so I can digest it better.
The same water can be good for one tea and not great with the other even though they are from the same region but from a different year. This is mind boggling to me.
From a recent tea frenzy made with Frasier mountain spring water, I was amazed how great a tea become with this water, mostly 2012 crops, but disappointed by the result when using the same water with dan cong teas from another year say 2011. While using filtered water boiled in bamboo charcoal, the result is the opposite, 2011 crop taste better than 2012. This baffles my brain, not knowing why.
Perhaps, the weather, rain fall and over all atmosphere condition had conditioned the growth of tea plants, hence the essence of the same tree differs year from year. And because of this, the contents in natural spring water acts like a catalyst when combined with tea. We know soil content is a notable element which is part of the essence of tea, it is understandable local spring water enhances local teas, this matter should be consistent too, because environmental change occurs simultaneously to both spring water and tea plants at the same time in the same region. However, when combining water and tea from different region, you have an open box of Pandora! Tying regions together is one way to go, but must add to the variable is the tea tree contents changes year to year, rematching the right water is now a new task.
Another question is spring water should be difference from year to year as well, same water from same source brewing tea of different years of the same region, should that also have compatibility issue? ie, water from phoenix mountain of 2012 brews Zhi Lan Xiang of 09 may have huge difference compare to water from phoenix mountain in 2012 brews the exact same tea and same year. That is ignoring the 3 years of aging.
Tea, making a good cup of tea, bringing the best out of a tea is a never ending game! Just as you think you know enough about tea, something new surfaces to challenge your knowledge. Too many questions, too little time to drink tea in a life time! :P
The same water can be good for one tea and not great with the other even though they are from the same region but from a different year. This is mind boggling to me.
From a recent tea frenzy made with Frasier mountain spring water, I was amazed how great a tea become with this water, mostly 2012 crops, but disappointed by the result when using the same water with dan cong teas from another year say 2011. While using filtered water boiled in bamboo charcoal, the result is the opposite, 2011 crop taste better than 2012. This baffles my brain, not knowing why.
Perhaps, the weather, rain fall and over all atmosphere condition had conditioned the growth of tea plants, hence the essence of the same tree differs year from year. And because of this, the contents in natural spring water acts like a catalyst when combined with tea. We know soil content is a notable element which is part of the essence of tea, it is understandable local spring water enhances local teas, this matter should be consistent too, because environmental change occurs simultaneously to both spring water and tea plants at the same time in the same region. However, when combining water and tea from different region, you have an open box of Pandora! Tying regions together is one way to go, but must add to the variable is the tea tree contents changes year to year, rematching the right water is now a new task.
Another question is spring water should be difference from year to year as well, same water from same source brewing tea of different years of the same region, should that also have compatibility issue? ie, water from phoenix mountain of 2012 brews Zhi Lan Xiang of 09 may have huge difference compare to water from phoenix mountain in 2012 brews the exact same tea and same year. That is ignoring the 3 years of aging.
Tea, making a good cup of tea, bringing the best out of a tea is a never ending game! Just as you think you know enough about tea, something new surfaces to challenge your knowledge. Too many questions, too little time to drink tea in a life time! :P
Thursday, October 03, 2013
The simplest way to enjoy a cup of Dan Cong oolong tea
Gong Fu tea takes time and concentration, a good mood and good company also desired if possible. If you think gong fu style is the only way to make a good cup of dan cong oolong, here is an easy way out, the result is also very tasty. Some times I think it is even better this way.
Take 2 to 2.5 grams of dan cong tea leaves, for commercial grades you can use up to 3 grams. Any more than that might be too strong.
Use a large and THIN gaiwan, 200 ml would be ideal. A big thick coffee mug does not bring out the same result.
You can see the ratio in the picture below
Fill up the gaiwan with boiling water with the water landing on the side of the gaiwan not hitting the leaves directly. Do not cover.
Good tea leaves are packed with substance hence heavy in weight, it sinks to the bottom of the cup quickly, the quicker it sinks the better the quality of the leaves, it must have a rich texture!
Do not disturb the tea while steeping, drink as you go, each level of tea has its own complexity, as the taste intensify, your sense of taste awakens.
Fill up for another cup of tea and more
What can be easier than making a cup of tea by just adding hot water! I actually like drinking old bush dan cong teas this way more than gong fu nowadays. It allows the personality of tea to reveal naturally under any parameter.
This method also works very well for WuYi rock teas and quality green teas, not recommended for teas that are high in astringency and bitterness.
Take 2 to 2.5 grams of dan cong tea leaves, for commercial grades you can use up to 3 grams. Any more than that might be too strong.
This method also works very well for WuYi rock teas and quality green teas, not recommended for teas that are high in astringency and bitterness.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Typhoon hits Chao Zhou
For the last few days, Eastern Guang Dong province was hit by severe typhoon. City of Chao Zhou was in the center of this harsh weather, with over 4000 trees being up rooted! A water reservoir dam is partly destroyed. Lucky enough the tea gardens had relatively less damages compared to the city.
Ever since 2010, bad weather hits the area every year! We can only wish for better days in Spring 2014, we need a good crop of Dan Cong teas!
Ever since 2010, bad weather hits the area every year! We can only wish for better days in Spring 2014, we need a good crop of Dan Cong teas!
Marriage between water and tea
Any serious tea drinker knows how important water is to tea, just like what a soul mate can do to ones life. Tea is who we are, water can change tea as a mate can change us. The best of tea can be awaken by the best matching water, just as the hidden potential in us can be brought to to life with the right person.
Recently, Martha and Richard gave me a big jug of Spring water from Frasier Mountain which they filled up on a trip. It is the best spring water I find in the states that is best for Dan Cong oolong. After testing with several 2012 and 2013 DCs, all of them performed much better, the aroma has re-bloomed, the taste is sweeter and richer. After so many years of brewing DC, I am so deceived to assume I can not mess up a brew too badly. When the characters of DC are not so up front, I just assumed the it is lacking in some ways. In fact they are there asleep, all it takes is the right water to wake them up.
One of the ugly ducklings is the 2012 Hong Di - Red Stem, every sip is a spring blossom down the throat, then comes the soothing honey nectar, finished with a mouth full of fragrance. Just as a rich and beautiful DC should be.
Recently, Martha and Richard gave me a big jug of Spring water from Frasier Mountain which they filled up on a trip. It is the best spring water I find in the states that is best for Dan Cong oolong. After testing with several 2012 and 2013 DCs, all of them performed much better, the aroma has re-bloomed, the taste is sweeter and richer. After so many years of brewing DC, I am so deceived to assume I can not mess up a brew too badly. When the characters of DC are not so up front, I just assumed the it is lacking in some ways. In fact they are there asleep, all it takes is the right water to wake them up.
One of the ugly ducklings is the 2012 Hong Di - Red Stem, every sip is a spring blossom down the throat, then comes the soothing honey nectar, finished with a mouth full of fragrance. Just as a rich and beautiful DC should be.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
2012 Gong Xiang
Wow, you just never know how well can a dan cong become with time. I had one today as I was packing teas, 2012 Gong Xiang. The aroma is amazingly apparent at the nose, in the taste and lingers in the breath. Most of the time, the flavor becomes better, the texture becomes smoother. For Gong Xiang, the aroma is better significantly. I had not had a tea with a fragrance last this long, not even the 2011 Gong Xiang of the same tree. A slight floral fragrance can still be traced on my taste buds after many many infusions. I am liking it very much!!!!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Just to say I am alive and drinking tea
Today's teas, two whites and a dan cong. We all put away teas and forget we have them at all, until one day, digging through an unattended box, then there they are, what a surprise!
5 years old silver needle gourds
7 years old white peony
2013 Song Zhong
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