Help to find this excellent tea

[xargos]

HI,

I got this tea as a gift: what kind of tea is it and where to buy it?

Xargos

[abhoriel]

This is 铁观音 (pronounced "tieguanyin") tea, often called "iron Buddha" in English. Here's the wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieguanyin . It's a nice wulong tea and you can buy it anywhere in China or in Chinese supermarkets outside of China. 

There is a big difference in quality between different brands and grades though... supermarket tea is often not the best..

Hope that helps

[abcdefg]

As to buying it in your home country (where is that?) look for some Tieguanyin that is from Fujian. The best Tieguanyin comes from there.

[xargos]

Hi, thanks for the answers!

 

This tea is exceptional, with mild taste totally different than any supermarket green tea.

Now , since I cant go to China to buy some tea, where to get it in NJ?Or maybe there's a shop online which sells quality tea?

 

 

Xargos

[xargos]

I found this: http://www.teaspring.com/Jade-Tie-Guan-Yin.asp and this Tieguanjin is from Fujijan:)

[abcdefg]

#5 -- Xargos -- That looks very good. It's from the right county in the southern part of Fujian province. And the price is reasonable.

 

One thing to notice, however, is that it was harvested in the Fall. Doesn't mean that it's less desirable, but it means it is not likely to be extremely floral and fruity. If those are qualities you prize in an Oolong, then look for some that was harvested in late Spring (which in 2013 means between April 20th and May 6th.) It may be exceedingly hard to find now; in other words, all sold out. 

 

I like Tieguanyin too, and enjoy both the Fall and late Spring harvest products from that region. The processing for Tieguanin is difficult, and requires good judgment by a tea master who knows what he's doing. Tieguanyin is not a "forgiving" tea to make. It's OK to pay a little more for it, because bad Tieguanin can be really bad.

[xargos]

Passing by an asian supermarket I found this tea. It was less than $3. It is nothing like the one mentioned earlier, not even close. In fact , it's awful. Most of the supermarket tea tastes bitter and sometimes makes me sick. Do they taint the tea with somethng or is it just inferior quality plants/leafs ?

 

[abhoriel]

Well you paid $3 for it...

I've had Chinese supermarket tea before and found it not great too

For reasonably high quality tea you might spend ten times that for a small packet. Unfortunately, they don't often sell the better tea in most Chinese supermarkets, at least not the ones I've been to..

[abcdefg]

The one you looked at on-line cost $15 for 50 grams. I remarked that I thought that price was reasonable.

 

The one you bought in the supermarket cost $3 for 150 grams. Are you really surprised it was not good?

 

Most online teashops allow you to return the tea if you don't like it. It's going to be the best way for you to find what you are looking for in New Jersey.

 

I understand lots of overseas Chinese live in Queens. You might find a real teashop in Chinatown there where they will let you try before you buy. In other words, brew you up a cup right there in the store. That's the way it's done in China. If you go that route, also ask them about tips for making it correctly. It takes some care not to ruin it yourself in the brewing.