Teance Fine Teas Blog

Tea Adventures

Last Friday, we held the annual rare and antique Pu-Erh tasting…

Tea Adventures

Last Friday, we held the annual rare and antique Pu-Erh tasting event. It was a bloodletting occasion. You see, fewer and fewer truly aged Pu-erhs are out in the market, and there’s no way to replenish a piece if history. Pu-Erh that I have had since the 60s witness the last 50 years of weather, people, and location challenges that will never be repeatable, producing a singular taste all its own.
But sharing tea is what I am about, for without this sharing, tea is much less meaningful. Against this quandary, I uncave the oldest and the best to share with folks each year, because if you don’t share what is most valuable to you, then what is the meaning of sharing at all?

Keep Reading

Customers always ask: what is your favorite tea? The diplomatic…

Tea Adventures

Customers always ask: what is your favorite tea? The diplomatic answer is, all the teas I curate for the shop! You don’t claim favorites with your kids, do you?
That is not the case in reality. I rarely drink Darjeeling or Jasmine teas, never Ceylon or Assam, and occasionally other green teas. Oolong teas have enough range and depth and variety to provide all the self medication needed- that is, as far as mood adjustments, boosting energy, converting a doldrums day to a bright and cheerful one….etc.
Didn’t make it back to Taiwan at the end of May and early June for the spring oolong harvest, regretfully. Taiwan Oolongs have limitless attraction as being the most intoxicating tea there is, offering the ‘high mountain high’. This season though, the King’s Competition Grade Tieguanyin almost stole that title from the High Mountain oolong. It would fill the room with it’s fragrance- but there wasn’t enough to go around. Competition grade teas are invariably scarce, much like the coveted Dayuling. If one stumbles into good pricing and plentiful stock of Dayuling at any tea merchant- it’s guaranteed to be fake. No such thing as plentiful, or cheap, real Dayuling. Ours this year was from 2500 meters, and completely spoken for.
So woefully, my favorite teas are all taken…..

Keep Reading

The Importance of Teaware, Part 2

Tea Adventures

There is no reason not to enjoy good tea! When steeped properly with the right teaware, good teas can give us their full potential. Different materials present distinctive variations in the resulting tea brewed; a basic understanding of these materials is important. In addition, the shape and design of the vessels also make a tremendous difference in how the tea tastes. Last month, we talked about Yixing Zisha and how it enhances the steeping of oolong teas. At the opposite extreme are materials like cast iron and other metals that are inappropriate for any teas. Cast iron tetsubins were meant for bearing only hot water in Japan, and they retain heat well. When used for tea however, the sealant lining the inside surface wears out from the acidity of the brewed leaves within months, imparting a metallic taste to your tea. Its retention of heat also can over-cook the tea and is highly…

Keep Reading

My idol Bruce Lee, reincarnated as a fast food chain. These…

Tea Adventures

My idol Bruce Lee, reincarnated as a fast food chain. These Kungfu fast food chains are considerably better than KFC or McD’s, and Panda Express belongs even farther on the spectrum. Still, the man who can do one handed three finger push-ups and is too fast to be captured on film, must be feeling amused.
Next to that: the now ubiquitous Starbucks.
Today: finally heading back to Hong Kong, the first half of my harvest trip wrapping up.

Keep Reading
Navigate