tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post6946380647080942617..comments2024-03-23T10:16:21.093-07:00Comments on MattCha's Blog: Everything You Need to Know About Zealong, An Oolong from New Zealand, and A Tasting of Their 2010 "Zealong Dark"Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02736984697520031171noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-49523798778333280812011-04-28T14:41:23.983-07:002011-04-28T14:41:23.983-07:00Jason Fasi,
It seems you caught one making the on...Jason Fasi,<br /><br />It seems you caught one making the only definitive statement on this blog and poked at that hole. Hahaha... Jab, jab... Hahaha...<br /><br />All joking aside, one always keeps an open mind when drinking tea and of course has not, "dismiss[ed] an entire hemisphere of tea as "not good quality". If one did, this oolong wouldn't have been purchased in the first place nor enjoyed to the fullest. Furthermore, one also enjoys some African black tea from time to time having not written it off but has never tried a white from Africa nor tea from a specific estate in South America.<br /><br />Agreed- everyones idea of good quality is different, but it is important to note that quality and value are independent of each other. A tea can be very good quality but be either insanely expensive or insanely cheap. Often these two separate entities get pushed together and talked about as if they are one of the same.<br /><br />It also comes down to the individual's constitution- most of the African black tea that one has tried has a rather harsh edgy chaqi that often upsets ones stomach similar to the way a young puerh can react. The calming dimension of the qi is often absent in the blacks one has tried. Have you had any similar experiences? or can you point us in the direction of some "quality" African black tea?<br /><br />Wojciech Bońkowski from the Polish Wine Guide posted on an African white from Satemwa Estate in Malawi. See here: <br /><br />http://blog.polishwineguide.com/2010/12/30/white-tea-from-malawi/ <br /><br />The tea looks great.<br /><br />Still keeping that mind open until a tea of this quality finds its way into ones tea pot. ;)<br /><br />Thanks for the comments and discussion about regions that don't get discussed enough.<br /><br />PeaceMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736984697520031171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-86383539818012051382011-04-28T10:33:33.302-07:002011-04-28T10:33:33.302-07:00Matt,
I suppose that depends largely on taste, an...Matt,<br /><br />I suppose that depends largely on taste, and my idea of "good" quality is hand-harvested tea interesting enough to be worth its price. Nonetheless, it's a subjective basis upon which I'm surprised that "one" would dismiss an entire hemisphere of tea as "not good quality". <br /><br />As a matter of taste, I prefer a good orthodox African black to most Chinese hong cha, which I find to be monotone and overpriced. I also find African whites quite nice, though a bit overpriced.<br /><br />There's a world of tea out there. Allow yourself to be surprised.<br /><br />~jBearsbearsbearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09957347322026350661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-2023410414562001112011-04-26T09:19:33.828-07:002011-04-26T09:19:33.828-07:00Jason Fasi,
Thanks for bringing up these other &q...Jason Fasi,<br /><br />Thanks for bringing up these other "below the equator" tea producing areas and doing them justice. Believe that those countries were mentioned in the above linked Cha Dao article.<br /><br />As far as the quality of these teas, guess it depends on what your definition of "good quality" is Hahahaha....<br /><br />One has tired a few different varieties of "sencha" from Africa as well as some oolong and hong cha from different estates in Africa including the teas from the once organically certified estate in Kenya mentioned in the Cha Dao article. The tea was unique and fun and definitely had its own character and nuances... but "good quality"? These teas don't seem to compare to their Asian counterparts while, on the other hand, Zealong pretty much just tastes like your average oolong.<br /><br />The quality of the tea produced in these regions have at least three things going against them that at least Zealong seemed to figure out:<br /><br />1- Hibernation phase of tea growth-this phase is vital for producing tea with qi, flavour, and aroma. When dormant biochemical processes take place which are nessassary for a quality product. Hibernation is induced by either cold temperatures, high altitude, or alternation of rainy season and dry season.<br /><br />2- Feng Shi or optimal growing location- Tea grows better in certain locations that have a certain soil and climate.<br /><br />3- Refined production method/ experienced tea master- The more care, detail, experience, and technology put into making the tea will naturally create a better product.<br /><br />PeaceMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736984697520031171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-60812906813013568062011-04-25T21:59:06.616-07:002011-04-25T21:59:06.616-07:00Slight correction: the majority of iced tea consum...Slight correction: the majority of iced tea consumed in the US comes from Argentina because of its superior qualities for iced brewing, and a great variety of good tea is produced in Africa, including some interesting Chinese-style teas out of Malawi. It is perhaps the only rolled oolong produced in the Southern Hemisphere, but it is by no means the only good quality tea produced below the equator.Bearsbearsbearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09957347322026350661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-75919190683234195252011-04-25T06:20:50.876-07:002011-04-25T06:20:50.876-07:00Petr,
Your feet are not that big are they? hahaha...Petr,<br /><br />Your feet are not that big are they? hahaha<br /><br />PeaceMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736984697520031171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-85133161688894700392011-04-24T13:54:39.321-07:002011-04-24T13:54:39.321-07:00As Renegade said -informative and fun read...readi...As Renegade said -informative and fun read...reading this post I am in good mood so I get an idea: to order the Zaelong from "Libby of Tula Teas lives literally just one block away" Let send it to Czech R. and then meditate about carbon footprint or getting bankrupt...ha ha ha<br /><br />Matt, Thanks for both- info and fun! <br /><br />PetrPetr Novákhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-64446039603244261372011-04-24T09:17:26.272-07:002011-04-24T09:17:26.272-07:00Renegade,
You could always email the dealers and ...Renegade,<br /><br />You could always email the dealers and ask them if they would consider sending the samples you are interested in if you make one purchase. Then purchase the "Zealong Pure" and have the samples ride along? Most dealers, especially small ones, might consider such an offer? It doesn't hurt to ask.<br /><br />One will be posting on "Zealong Pure" in a few days, so it may give you a feel for things.<br /><br />First time commenting, thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />PeaceMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736984697520031171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693176331381554957.post-17226754987167143912011-04-23T20:29:38.808-07:002011-04-23T20:29:38.808-07:00What a truly informative and fun read! I really w...What a truly informative and fun read! I really wanted to sample these, but both the zealong site and Tula teas only sell 50g packages. To try all three would be $50+ plus shipping. I found that Chicago Tea Garden offers $3 samples, but it appears that they're still selling stock from 2009. If I buy "pure zealong", I prefer it to be fresh. Any ideas as to who else may offer samples?Renegadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14688836924330184111noreply@blogger.com