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Hello everyone! I have recently decided to join the forum after spending some days reading a number of the articles on the site. I am a growing tea enthusiast and I’ve managed to learn a bit while reading. I couldn’t find an “Off Topic” style section, so I hope this section is good enough – it does contain questions – for a hello.
I was raised on “tea”. I put this in quotations because I live in the U.S. The kind of “tea” I was raised on was off brand Orange Peakoe of a quality level something just above Lipton, typically killed with heinous amounts of sugar. It wasn’t until just a short wile ago that I began to expand my horizons beyond knowing that tea had variants, and am slowing moving into learning about sub-types of the four major teas (white, green, oolong, black) plus other tea forms outside of those I wasn’t aware existed. I’m currently a fan of earthy green teas, though I’ve not come across any greens I’ve not liked (Except Stash’s “Premium” green tea. That was traumatic.)Currently, I do not consume very high quality teas. I’m still on the upswing, typically brewing things like Archer Farms, Tazo and Numi. I try to avoid the tea dust stuff when possible, preferring Tazo and Archer Farm’s attempts at “full leaf”. These have better flavor and smell better, but I have no illusions that they’re on any A-lists. I consider them fodder tea – low preparation, low cost. I share my quarters and host frequently, so it gives me something to offer until my payscale catches up. A few weeks back I acquired some Matcha powder from a brand that apparently isn’t a brand. Tub just says it was “Organic Matcha Green Tea”. It wasn’t fantastic, though I was likely doing something wrong. I don’t have a small enough wisk so I used a fork; probably didn’t blend well. I used a Blender Bottle (a bottle with a wire ball in it for mixing) and it came out ok. Fairly gritty, however, though that being my first maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be.My first step into loose tea was when I acquired some kind of “roasted green tea” from the local Oriental market a few months back. Mixed feelings: Can’t ID brand at all, and it tastes closer to an Oolong (and looks closer to one) than a green. I will try to get some simple photos up this weekend – maybe someone will recognize it.In any case, I have a few questions, which I hope legitimizes this tread here.First, does the off the shelf style “Fannings” or “dust” tea still contain the active chemicals associated with the positive health benefits of tea?Second, is https://www.chineseteawholesaler.com/ safe to buy from? The name is very generic, and the prices are incredibly low (500g of Matcha for 25USD? I paid 20USD for 150g at my local good earth!)Third, other than the above, where does a person go for good deals on a wide variety of tea? I’ve been to a fair number of sites and prices jump around considerably. Thus, I figure I better ask around before I make my first jump.Fouth, who retails a good brewing mug? That is, a mug with an insert for loose tea to float in? I have a tea ball, but Leo doesn’t seem to think those are worthwhile, so I’ve stopped using them.Thanks in advance!M. -
Welcome to the forum!
I am in a rush but would like to tell you that this tea shop site you posted is strange to have the same JK name and many similar photos as a tea shop in Shanghai. The latter one is open and operated by a friend of a friend. I believe it is the original one: -
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I had figured one was depreciated; there is a discrepency between pricing on several items. I’m going to assume the chineseteawholesaler domain name (which has slightly lower prices in a few places) to be the one which is depreciated.
That said, can anyone provide solid evidence either way?
As for reliability, perhaps Leo would know?
M.
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Seems that few people know about this one then?
This lady who started out the JK shop operated as an interpreter and a guide for one of my tea friends from UK. I do not know her personally, but my friend said she’s okay.As far as the photos go, things seem normal and the prices seem normal. Maybe you’d like to give it a try and let us know 🙂 -
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Well, as one who used to think he was styling with Tazo’s “Full Leaf” and Archer Farms “Full Leaf” stuff, I will admit I am impressed.
Not expecting China’s best though; I’m fairly certain most of that gets taken in the domestic market.
When I read some of the articles on the site, I was under the impression that any discernable quantity of decent tea would be a major expense, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Pay’s issued this Friday so I think I will make a small order then and report how well it goes. I’m thinking their Oolong sample pack along with a tin of matcha. I’m typically fond of greens, though my limited exposure has me uneducated on the subtypes therein; read all I want of your site, but this I think is a subject in which experience speaks more volumes on flavor.
M.
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