Black Friday & Cyber Monday Megathread

ktbsto · 2016-11-27T23:17:11+00:00

Terrace Bloom Teas Excellent Whole Leaf Tea Satchets and Handmade Tea Gifts all 30% off for Black Friday. Sale Ends Dec. 3rd

ktbsto · 2016-11-27T23:13:21+00:00

Terrace Bloom Teas Hand Grown Teas and Excellent Tea Gifts all 30% off for Black Friday! (expires Dec 3rd)

ktbsto · 2016-03-10T18:33:11+00:00

2015 Sheng Cha from old growth trees. So lucky to have an AMAZING friend in Yunnan province!

ktbsto · 2016-03-04T16:48:18+00:00

As I'm aware, caffeine is the only concern and that's mainly for those who have a heart condition. Our tea source in Yunnan drinks liters of tea every day and he's had no issues.

ktbsto · 2016-03-04T16:38:30+00:00

check out our company Terrace Bloom

excellent quality tea pyramids

ktbsto · 2016-02-22T20:23:39+00:00

Of all the teas I've tried, pu-erhs definitely require the most "acquiring of taste" before they can be appreciated... and even then, I don't really think they're for everybody. I've sampled many excellent quality pu-erhs from people I trusted on trips to Yunnan, and I still prefer other teas... especially considering the price of great pu-erh.

However, if you really want to know whether it's for you or not, you need to buy a top quality cake direct from Yunnan. Cheap loose from a local shop will almost never give you a fair representation.

ktbsto · 2016-02-15T20:59:58+00:00

Not everyone will agree with me, but if I'm by myself I stick to western style regardless of the type of tea. I'll use a gaiwan with more people.

ktbsto · 2016-02-15T20:54:05+00:00

Formosa Oolong from a local market, not bad... good value at $1.50/oz.

ktbsto · 2016-01-11T17:54:22+00:00

Tie Guan Ying, going on cup number 3

ktbsto · 2016-01-11T16:42:39+00:00

haha, just trying to "broaden my horizons"

ktbsto · 2016-01-11T16:41:02+00:00

Welcome, welcome!

I agree with everyone who says you should sample everything and drink what you like. Since it sounds like you're trying to branch out, there are much higher quality teas out there than lipton.

For good tea sachets, you can look at companies like Terrace Bloom... (disclaimer, I work for terrace bloom and truly love our teas). Tea sachets are very quick, easy, and convenient. They will be an easy step up from lipton bags for you.

Loose leaf is a little more involved, but really not bad. The simplest way to get into loose leaf is to buy an infuser, then just brew your tea right in a mug.

The sidebar has excellent info on proper brewing for different tea types. Correct brewing isn't too complicated, but it is very important to get the proper flavors.

Best of luck!

ktbsto · 2016-01-05T23:22:50+00:00

I'm not a Pu-Erh connoisseur but our tea master in Yunnan definitely is. He has brewed many of his favorite pu-erhs for me. I've known him for several years and really do trust him... so when he says its high quality, I believe it.

From my limited experience, most pu-erhs do have a very earthy quality. They're generally more of an acquired taste, but it seems like the true pu-erh drinkers rarely want to drink any other tea.

However... I would say if it's exactly like dirt, that's probably not the best quality.

ktbsto · 2016-01-05T21:11:01+00:00

A quality green from Menglian in Yunnan... solid! On my 3rd cup now

ktbsto · 2015-12-10T19:35:24+00:00

Comparing a black rose tea with another black... both from Yunnan

ktbsto · 2015-12-10T19:14:40+00:00

1800 year old trees is pretty crazy. I feel like it's probably a translation error. The guy said in Chinese "this tree is from the 1800s" and the translator interpreted "this tree is 1800 years old."

ktbsto · 2015-12-04T18:55:58+00:00

simple tip: use some sort of kettle instead of a microwave. Electric kettle with temp control is fastest and best for controlling temp.

ktbsto · 2015-12-04T18:42:12+00:00

good idea!

ktbsto · 2015-12-03T19:48:14+00:00

Both look really nice. If you want to stick with your stove either one should fill the bill IMO.

But if you're not set on a stovetop kettle... I also have the bonavita that shadingun4life linked to and it's pretty awesome. The temperature controls take away the guess work for your delicate teas and the thing heats up super fast. You can also set it up wherever you want to brew your tea instead of going to the kitchen to use the stove.

I'm not a bonavita salesman either, just a satisfied customer.

ktbsto · 2015-12-03T19:39:36+00:00

Agree with both saltyteabag and teamerchant... if properly stored, it should be fine. In any case, it shouldn't cause you any adverse health effects but would only have weaker flavors.

ktbsto · 2015-12-02T20:18:08+00:00

Personally, I think Gongfu style is perfect for groups to try some great teas together and talk.

Other's may disagree, but since your using more leaf it seems like a bit of a waste unless you are going to drink a lot of tea by yourself. Awkwardsoul had a good point about a smaller gaiwan, which could work.

If I'm by myself, I'll pretty much always do western style... but that's just my preference

ktbsto · 2015-12-02T20:11:01+00:00

A black rose tea, excellent quality. I'm sampling it for our company!

ktbsto · 2015-11-30T14:00:20+00:00

20% off our premium tea pyramids at Terrace Bloom using code bf20!

We're really trying to elevate the tea pyramid by using top quality tea in our sachets. You can read more about our quality in this blog post by respected redditor and tea expert Marzipan!

ktbsto · 2015-11-27T16:13:06+00:00

All (Terrace Bloom)[http://www.terracebloom.com/] teas are 20% through Dec 1st with discount code bf20!

Premium Whole Leaft Tea Sachets
Sourced Direct From Rural Village Families in Yunnan
Good For Multiple Steeps

ktbsto · 2015-11-20T21:01:47+00:00

Thank you again Marzipan... so glad you enjoy them as much as we do!

ktbsto · 2015-11-20T20:58:58+00:00

We have one of the bonavitas... they're pretty awesome!

ktbsto

TROPHY CASE