Hello. Has anyone else noticed that this year's Ti Kuan Yin crop (from China, I haven't tasted any Taiwanese versions) seems exceptionally nice? I don't have much of a sample, only two packets obtained from different Hong Kong sources, but both have all the nice floral and other notes in large quantities and little bitterness or other undesirable tastes.

Am I the first on the tea forum?

Rick.

-- Rick Chappell (chappell@stat.wisc.edu), December 29, 1998

Answers

Hello Rick, welcome aboard ! I haven't try out Ti Kuan Yin lately, I shall try out in New Year day, when only Chinese malls are opening. Happy new year. happy tea drinking !

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), December 30, 1998.

And this makes me the second :)

Hello Tea Brothers

For those who can't or won't read Chinese I have a book on hand which is an interesting and valuable introduction to Chinese tea: The Chinese Art of Tea by John Blofeld, Shambala Press, ISBN 0-87773-320-1. I wonder if Martin is aware of any other books out there, preferably translated into English which make profitable readings.

-- rene (renequan@hotmail.com), January 27, 1999.

There is another Chinese tea book: Kit Chow & Ione Kramer: All the TEA in China. and a couple of others, availabe from http://www.amazon.com

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), January 27, 1999.

As far as English tea books go some of the best and most interesting (not to mention funny) are by James Norwood Pratt. Check him out, you won't be disappointed. He is a friend of Roy Fong of the Imperial tea house in San Fransico, CA. Jacob

-- Jacob Gerlitz (jacob@jacobgerlitz.com), October 10, 2002.